South Australia
Celtic Connection Lyrics
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In South Australia, 'round Cape Horn, we're bound for South Australia
Haul away your rolling king, heave away, haul away
Haul away, you'll hear me sing, we're bound for South Australia
As I walked out one morning fair, heave away, haul away
'Twas there I met Miss Nancy Blair, we're bound for South Australia
There's just one thing that's on my mind, heave away, haul away
That's leaving Nancy Blair behind, we're bound for South Australia
You'll wish to God you've never been
born, we're bound for South Australia
In South Australia I was born, heave away, haul away
In South Australia, 'round Cape Horn, we're bound for South Australia
The lyrics of the Celtic Connection's song "South Australia" describe the tough journey of a sailor leaving his home in South Australia and heading to Cape Horn in search of adventure, opportunity, and prosperity. The first verse sets the scene of the sailor's birthplace, and how he and his crew are embarking on a long journey across the sea. The chorus describes the sailor's duties onboard the ship and how he sings out loud while he works, keeping his spirits up in the face of the difficult journey. The second verse introduces a love interest, Miss Nancy Blair, but the sailor cannot stay with her as he has a job to do.
The sailor wishes to leave Miss Blair behind but is conflicted as he still thinks of her while he travels. The fourth verse describes the treacherous conditions of the sea around Cape Horn, which are notoriously difficult for sailors to navigate. The final verse reiterates the sailor's birthplace and how he has been forced to leave home in search of better opportunities. Overall, the song is a tribute to the resilience and bravery of sailors and the hardships they endure to pursue their dreams and ambitions.
Line by Line Meaning
In South Australia I was born, heave away, haul away
I hail from South Australia, and am setting sail from here
In South Australia, 'round Cape Horn, we're bound for South Australia
We are departing from South Australia, and rounding Cape Horn to return back
Haul away your rolling king, heave away, haul away
Pull hard on the rope, make your king move ahead
Haul away, you'll hear me sing, we're bound for South Australia
Pull the rope, and you'll hear me sing, that we're headed back to South Australia
As I walked out one morning fair, heave away, haul away
One beautiful morning I went out walking
'Twas there I met Miss Nancy Blair, we're bound for South Australia
That's where I met Miss Nancy Blair and now we're voyaging together to South Australia
There's just one thing that's on my mind, heave away, haul away
I have only one thing in my thoughts
That's leaving Nancy Blair behind, we're bound for South Australia
I have to leave Nancy Blair on this voyage to South Australia
And as we wallop round Cape Horn, heave away, haul away
As we struggle across Cape Horn's turbulent waters, let's pull and make our way ahead
You'll wish to God you've never been born, we're bound for South Australia
This voyage is going to be treacherous and you'll wish you were never born, but we have to get to South Australia
Contributed by Aria M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.