The Kilkennys are a 4-piece traditional Irish ballad group, who have been e… Read Full Bio ↴The Kilkennys are a 4-piece traditional Irish ballad group, who have been entertaining audiences all over the country, and internationally for the past ten years, with their unique and accomplished style of playing and vocal talent. Known as one of the hardest working bands in Ireland, they perform the length and breath of the country up to five nights a week. Up to now, they have been performing as Uisce Beatha, but due to various crucial reasons and the fact that a few bands with the same name have sprung up around the world, the decision was taken to change the name to The Kilkennys, as the boys are very proud of their black and amber roots! This name change coincided with the band signing up to Dolphin Records, the record company of such Irish music legends as Mary and Frances Black, Liam Clancy, Dolores Keane, Ronnie Drew, Jack L and Sonny Knowles. The band was originally formed by Dave Cashin, Adam Cashin and Tommy Mackey, while at school in St. Kierans College in Kilkenny. Robbie Campion would later come on board to complete the bands unique vocal and musical sound. The Kilkennys have shared the stage with some of the country's most prominent folk icons, including Shane McGowan, Finbarr Furey and the late Ronnie Drew. They have also toured Scotland, Germany and the US on a number of occasions to great acclaim. Now with the forthcoming release of their debut album and live DVD, audiences will be enthralled by the energy, passion and musical talents of The Kilkennys.

Members:
DAVID CASHIN: Vocals, Mandolin, Banjo, Whistles. ADAM CASHIN: Vocals, Bodhran and Percussion. ROBBIE CAMPION: Vocals, Guitar and Banjo. TOMMY MACKEY: Vocals, Bass Guitar

South Australia
The Kilkennys Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

In South Australia I was born
Heave away, haul away
In South Australia 'round Cape Horn
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

I sher up and I sher down
Heave away, haul away
I sher round and round the town
We're 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

There ain't but one thing grieves me mind
Heave away, haul away
To leave Miss Nancy Blair behind
We're bound for South Australia

And as we walloped around Cape Horn
Heave away, haul away
You'll wish to Christ you'd never been born
We're 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
Haul away you rolling kings
Heave away, haul away
Haul away, you'll hear me sing
We're bound for South Australia

Heave away, heave away, haul away, haul away

In South Australia I was born
In South Australia 'round Cape Horn

As I walked out one morning fair
'Twas there I met Miss Nancy Blair

I sher up and I sher down
I sher round and round the town

There ain't but one thing grieves me mind
To leave Miss Nancy Blair behind

As we wallop around Cape Horn
You'll wish to Christ you'd never been born

We're bound for South Australia
We're 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

Haul away you rolling kings
Heave away, haul away
Haul away, you'll hear me sing
We're 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

Haul away you rolling kings
Heave away, haul away
Haul away, you'll hear me sing
We're bound for South Australia
We're bound for South Australia
We're bound for South Australia

We're bound for South Australia
We're bound for South Australia

Overall Meaning

The Kilkennys' song "South Australia" is a sea shanty that describes a man who was born in South Australia and is now sailing around Cape Horn with his crew to return home. As they sail, the man recalls meeting a woman named Miss Nancy Blair and how leaving her behind is the only thing that troubles him. The song serves as a tribute to the hardships and dangers of life at sea and the homesickness that can come with it.

One interesting fact about the song is that it has been covered by numerous artists over the years, including The Dubliners and The Seekers. The tune itself is based on the traditional Irish song "Johnny I Hardly Knew Ye." Another interesting fact is that "South Australia" is actually a real place, and it is a state in Australia located in the southern part of the country. The song is actually a nod to Australian maritime history, as South Australia was an important colonial hub for shipping and trade during the 19th century.

In terms of musical structure, "South Australia" is a typical sea shanty, with a call-and-response format that was often used by sailors to coordinate their movements as they worked on deck. The song is typically performed with a quick tempo, and the lyrics are designed to be easy to remember and sing along to. The chord progression for the song is relatively simple, with a repeated series of chords that creates a driving rhythm.

Overall, "South Australia" is a classic example of the sea shanty genre, and its enduring popularity is a testament to the enduring allure of stories about life on the high seas.

Chords:

Verse: G - D - G - D
Chorus: G - C - G - D - G

Line by Line Meaning

In South Australia I was born
I was born in the region of South Australia.

In South Australia 'round Cape Horn
We are sailing from South Australia to Cape Horn.

As I walked out one morning fair
During a fair morning, I went for a walk.

'Twas there I met Miss Nancy Blair
That's where I met a woman named Miss Nancy Blair.

I sher up and I sher down
I moved up and down, circling around town.

I sher round and round the town
I continued to move circularly around the town.

There ain't but one thing grieves me mind
The only thing bothering me is leaving Miss Nancy Blair behind.

To leave Miss Nancy Blair behind
Leaving Miss Nancy Blair is causing me distress.

As we walloped around Cape Horn
While we were enduring the rough seas around Cape Horn.