The group has been performing locally since 1995, and signed a record deal with Universal Music in March 2010. Whilst essentially an a cappella group, their studio recordings and live performances now often include traditional simple instrumentation.
South Australia
Fishermen's Friends 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, you'll hear me sing
As I went out one morning fair
Heave away, haul away
'Twas there I met Miss Nancy Blair
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
I shook her up, I shook her down
Heave away, haul away
I shook her 'round about the town
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
There was just one thing that grieved me mind
Heave away, haul away
That's leaving Nancy Blair behind
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 we went down around Cape Horn
Heave away, haul away
You'll wish to God you've never been born
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
In South Australia I was born
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, you'll hear me sing
We're bound for South Australia
The song "South Australia" by Fishermen's Friends is a classic sea shanty about a journey from South Australia to Cape Horn, likely during the 1800s when long voyages across the seas on ships were common. The lyrics recall the singer's birthplace and his journey home, with a crew of sailors facing the tough, unpredictable conditions of the seas.
The lyrics describe the story of the singer leaving South Australia with a crew of sailors to sail around Cape Horn. He meets a girl, Nancy Blair, while out one morning and falls in love with her. However, he must leave her behind as they continue their journey. The song also reflects the hardships and dangers of the voyage, with lines like "You'll wish to God you've never been born" conveying the treacherous and challenging nature of life at sea.
Overall, "South Australia" is a classic example of a sea shanty, characterized by its strong rhythm and catchy melody. The song represents an important part of maritime history and the lives of sailors who spent long periods of time at sea.
Line by Line Meaning
In South Australia I was born
The singer is telling us that he was born in South Australia.
Heave away, haul away
This is a phrase used by sailors to coordinate their efforts as they hoist sails or pull ropes.
In South Australia, 'round Cape Horn,
The singer is indicating that his journey will take him around Cape Horn, the southern tip of South America.
We're bound for South Australia
The singer is expressing his destination as South Australia.
Haul away your rolling king
The singer is urging fellow sailors to join in the effort to heave or pull at something.
Haul away, you'll hear me sing
The singer is telling sailors they will hear him sing as they work.
As I went out one morning fair
The singer is telling us about a morning when he went outside.
'Twas there I met Miss Nancy Blair
This is the spot where the singer met Nancy Blair.
I shook her up, I shook her down
The singer is describing how he shook Ms. Blair both up and down.
I shook her 'round about the town
The singer is describing the wide-ranging path he took with Ms. Blair throughout town.
There was just one thing that grieved me mind
The singer is saying that one thing was bothering him.
That's leaving Nancy Blair behind
The one thing that's bothering the singer is the prospect of leaving Nancy Blair behind.
As we went down around Cape Horn
The singer is describing his journey as they progress around Cape Horn.
You'll wish to God you've never been born
The singer is warning us that the journey around Cape Horn will be perilous and difficult.
Haul away your rolling king
Again, the singer is urging fellow sailors to join in the effort to heave or pull at something.
Haul away, you'll hear me sing
The singer is telling sailors they will hear him sing as they work.
Haul away your rolling king
For the third time, the singer is urging fellow sailors to join in the effort to heave or pull at something.
In South Australia I was born
This is a repetition of the first line of the song.
In South Australia, 'round Cape Horn
This is another repetition of an earlier line of the song.
Haul away your rolling king
The singer is urging sailors to continue heaving and pulling in order to reach their destination.
Haul away, you'll hear me sing
Again, the singer is telling sailors they will hear him sing as they work towards their destination.
We're bound for South Australia
This is a final, repeated expression of the singer's destination.
Writer(s): NIGEL SHERRATT, JONATHAN CLEAVE, ROSE PRINCE, JOHN MCDONNELL, TREVOR GRILLS, TRAD, JEREMY BROWN, RUPERT CHRISTIE, PETER ROWE, JOHN BROWN, LOUISE BROWN, BILLY HAWKINS, JULIAN BROWN, JOHN LETHBRIDGE
Contributed by Savannah H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@scratchpad7954
Why is this song such a criminally underrated gem?! This kind of music sings to the core of my soul!
@timelliot9110
We have had a generation who have thrown away our heritage, and replaced it with Hollywood drivel.
@reemaravikashni9570
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@btf_flotsam478
It comes from Australia/New Zealand, like most good sea shanties (there's a reason why the Wellerman succeeded where Scottish 'sea shanties' failed), but is too blatantly about that area for the
stupidignorant people from the North Atlantic.@stephensnell5707
â@@btf_flotsam478you dickhead,this song is PURELY CORNISH AND FROM THE FISHERMANS' FRIENDS SINGERS OF PORT ISAAC IN CORNWALL
@NavyCWO
Many of their songs are over 200 years old, yet they still ring out in our hearts especially those of us who've made our living on the sea.
@emlix1
In this life or a previous one.
@grahamt5924
Just being English, these songs run very deep. Hearing people in a pub singing these brings a sense of togetherness like nothing else I know.
@liambirt7079
My family came from cornawll to South Australia in 1840. My dad has the ship and passenger list from then. I watched the movie tonight and loved it. Your songs are great. Im South Australian with Cornish history
@BarrioFabulous
Big thanks from a Texan who can't stop listening.