Interesting Facts about the South Australia – L. A. Smith Version
South Australia – L. A. Smith Version”, is usually sung at capstan (anchor) and pumps. This version comes from L. A. Smith’s “Music Of The Waters” (1888), Stan Hugill claims South Australia – L. A. Smith Version is too sentimental and “Shore-ified” to ring genuine, also he says L. A. Smith makes too much use of the word “main”, word sailors never used for “sea”.
The song will be reconstructed by myself as the capstan shanty.
The source of this sea shanty
The music: “The Music of The Waters” by Laura Alexandrine Smith (1888) (1st ed p 49, 50).
The lyrics: “The Music of The Waters” by Laura Alexandrine Smith (1888) (1st ed p 49, 50).
Mentioned in: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 195).
The Record of South Australia – L. A. SmithVersion
You also can find this record on my YouTube channel here or directly listen below. Additionally, if you want to share your opinion about the record or share your opinion you can do it in my Facebook forum here, or leave a comment at the bottom of this blog article.
The musical notation
The full lyrics
South Australia (L. A. Smith Version)
– Heave away, Heave away,
– Heave away, you Ruler King,
– I am bound to South Australia,
* 1 *
South Australia is my native home,
Heave away! Heave away!
South Australia is my native home,
I’m bound to south Australia!
– Heave away, Heave away,
– Heave away, you Ruler King,
– I am bound to South Australia,
* 2 *
There ain’t but the one thing grieves my mind,
To leave my dear wife and child behind.
* 3 *
I see my wife standing on the quay,
The tears do start as she waves to me.
* 4 *
When I am on a foreign shore,
I’ll think of the wife that I adore.
* 5 *
Those crosses you see at the bottom of the lines,
Are only to put me in mind.
* 6 *
As I was standing on the pier,
A fair young maid to me appeared.
* 7 *
As I am standing on a foreign shore,
I’ll drink to girl that I adore.
* 8 *
For I’ll tell you the truth, and I’ll tell you no lie,
If I don’t love that girl I hope I may die.
* 9 *
Liza Lee, she promised me,
When I retured she would marry me.
* 10 *
And now I am on a foreign strand,
With a glass of whisky in my hand,
* 11 *
And I’ll drink a glass to the foreign shore,
And one to the girl that I adore.
* 12 *
When I am homeward bound again,
My name I’ll publish on the main.
* 13 *
With a good captain and a jolly crew,
A good captain and chief mate, too,
* 14 *
Now fare thee well, fare thee well,
For sweet news to my girl I’ll tell.