‘South Australia’ also known as ‘Rolling King’ or ‘Bound for South Australia’. As an original worksong it was sung in a variety of trades including being used in the wool and later wheat traders who worked the clipper ships between Australian ports and London.
In South Australia I was born
Heave away. Haul away!
In South Australia round Cape Horn
I’m bound for South Australia
Haul away you rolling kings
Heave away! Haul away!
Haul away you’ll hear me sing
We’re bound for South Australia
As I went out one morning fair
Heave away. Haul away!
Twas there I saw Miss Nancy Blair
Heave away. Haul away!
[Chorus]
I shook her up, I shook her down,
Heave away. Haul away!
I shook her round and round the town.
Heave away. Haul away!
[Chorus]
There ain’t but one thing grieves my mind,
Heave away. Haul away!
To leave Miss Nancy Blair behind.
Heave away. Haul away!
[Chorus]
And as we wallop around Cape Horn,
Heave away. Haul away!
You’ll wish to God you’d never been born.
Heave away. Haul away!
[Chorus]
I wish I was on Australia strand,
Heave away. Haul away!
With a bottle of whiskey in my hand
Heave away. Haul away!
[Chorus x2]