In South Australia I was born,
Heave away, Haul away!
In South Australia, round Cape Horn,
Bound for South Australia

Haul away, you rollin' king!
Heave away, Haul away!
Haul away, Oh hear me sing!
We're bound for South Australia

Now as I went out one morning fair,
Heave away, Haul away!
'twas there I met Miss Nancy Blair,
Bound for South Australia!

Haul away, you rollin' king!
Heave away, Haul away!
Haul away, Oh hear me sing!
We're bound for South Australia

I shook her up, I shook her down,
Heave away, Haul away!
I shook her up and down the town!
Bound for South Australia!

Haul away, you rollin' king!
Heave away, Haul away!
Haul away, Oh hear me sing!
We're bound for South Australia

There's one thing that does grieve my mind,
Heave away, Haul away!
It's leaving Nancy Blair behind,
We're bound for South Australia

Haul away, you rollin' king!
Heave away, Haul away!
Haul away, Oh hear me sing!
We're bound for South Australia

And as we wallup around Cape Horn,
Heave away, Haul away!
You wish to God you'd never been born!
Bound for South Australia!

Haul away, you rollin' king!
Heave away, Haul away!
Haul away, Oh hear me sing!
We're bound for South Australia

Haul away, you rollin' king!
Heave away, Haul away!
Haul away, Oh hear me sing!
We're bound for South Australia


Lyrics submitted by mulhermujer

South Australia Lyrics as written by Peter Richard Stacy Terry Woods

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

South Australia song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

2 Comments

sort form View by:
  • 0
    General Comment

    this is a capstan shanty used by the wool traders who worked the ships between Australian ports and London, England. It's also become known as a farewell song, some of the sailors became so attached to it, they requested it on their death beds.

    Although it's in referenced in the Brian Jacques, the song is much older than Jacques or Gaelic Storm. It's 17th/18th century.

    rhiannoncabaliston October 17, 2007   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him. There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
Album art
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Album art
Holiday
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday". I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
Album art
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
Album art
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.