BLOW, BOYS, BLOW is a… Read Full Bio ↴The artist name is Ewan MacColl & A.L. Lloyd.
BLOW, BOYS, BLOW is a full and rousing selection from folk heroes Ewan McColl (whose resume included author, playwright, actor, street singer, and laborer) and A.L. Lloyd (who, among other things, sang as the "Shantyman" in the movie version of MOBY DICK). Sung to ease the back-breaking work and fill up the long and lonely nights with rowdy and profane entertainment, the songs are fierce, rough, sublime and full of longing
South Australia
Ewan MacColl and A.L. Lloyd Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Heave away, Haul away
In South Australia 'round Cape Horn
We're bound for South Australia
Haul away your rolling king
Heave away, Haul away
Haul away oh 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
And as we wallop round Cape Horn
Heave away, Haul away
You'll wish to God you've never been born
We're bound for South Australia
The lyrics to Ewan MacColl and A.L. Lloyd's song "South Australia" describe a journey by sea from the United Kingdom to South Australia, which was a popular destination for emigrants during the 19th century. The song begins by stating that the singer was born in South Australia and is now heading back there from the UK, sailing around Cape Horn. The chorus repeats the phrase "heave away, haul away" and "we're bound for South Australia," emphasizing the excitement of the journey and the destination.
In the second verse, the lyrics feature a romantic encounter between the singer and a woman named Miss Nancy Blair. The singer mentions that leaving Blair behind is weighing on his mind, but he is still determined to continue the journey. The final verse warns that rounding Cape Horn will be a rough journey and one that the listener will wish they had never taken.
Overall, the lyrics to "South Australia" capture the spirit of adventure and possibility that draws people to leave their homes and travel to far-off lands. The mention of Nancy Blair adds a touch of sentimentality and personal struggle to the larger story of the journey.
Line by Line Meaning
In South Australia I was born
I was born in the region of South Australia
Heave away, Haul away
A chant sung by sailors to synchronize their efforts while hoisting sails or raising anchor
In South Australia 'round Cape Horn
We will travel around Cape Horn to reach South Australia from our current location
We're bound for South Australia
Our destination is South Australia
Haul away your rolling king
Pull hard to hoist the main sail
Haul away oh hear me sing
Let's sing together while getting the work done
As I walked out one morning fair
I went outside on a lovely morning
'Twas there I met Miss Nancy Blair
It was there that I met Miss Nancy Blair
There's just one thing that's on my mind
There's only one thing I can think of
That's leaving Nancy Blair behind
Leaving Miss Nancy Blair and not seeing her again is what worries me
You'll wish to God you've never been born
Traveling around Cape Horn can be treacherous and difficult, making you regret being born
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: TRADITIONAL, ROBIN JEFFREY, TIM LAYCOCK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MikhaelAhava
Joys of the internet, otherwise never would have known of this.
@aepk1
I live now in Pennsylvania but I grew up in Adelaide South Australia. (Glenelg). My brother and I used to ride our bikes down to Port Adelaide to play on the old Sailing ship that were driven up to rot on the "hard" in the Port River "nooks". What memories. This is a pumping song. It has many verses not sung these days but still one of the best chanteys around.
@lachlanlandreth9069
Wow, that must have been a long time ago now. Sadly all but 2 Ketches call Adelaide home. I have the pleasure of volunteering on the Brigantine "One & All".
@kenegan7649
.yes south australia was the last place square rigged sailing ships sailed to..right up until the outreak of ww2 they sailed down with the trades from europe..around.south africa...overvto australia and back around the horn. A very fast way to go.. They mainly picked up wheat and wool..and were usually crewed by swedes..finns germans and baltic seamen..of the gustav line..many saiing ships still sailed into newcastle in NSW. And i think the last one to leave newcastle was in 1947. Captain joshua slocum often sailed to newcastle when he was a merchant mariner
@reddwing4368
Berts on fire with his singing of this
@Gandhiji87
I really love the more playful music and singing of this version! The mandolin doing that great bit during or after the refrain is amazing!
@wilfriedschuler3796
Very nice version. Excellent mandolin play.
@andyasdf2078
wow this is the best version by far
@bobwatsonsings
Fabulous channel . . . just chanced upon on it, and sure glad I did. Some happy and tuneful hours in prospect trawling through this lot! Heard OF Ed McCurdy, but never till now actually heard him sing . . . . now there's how to sing folksongs. Keep 'em coming and I'll keep viewing and listening. Best . . . Bob
@yugandali
Lloyd and MacColl! Many thanks for posting.