South Australia (F.P. Harlow's) [194-195]

Hugill reproduced the lyrics from Harlow's version of "South Australia." I have gone to Harlow's book for the tune.

Harlow's documented version of this chantey is an important one. For all its ubiquity nowadays, there is no evidence that it was necessarily so common during the golden era of sailing. LA Smith's was the first collected version, obtained from a Black sailor at the "Sailors' Home" in London, and printed in her 1888 book. The melody is similar to Harlow's—both being different from the popular version that goes around nowadays—and as such these two independent sources seem to corroborate each other. Though Harlow didn't publish his version until the early decades of the 20th century, he learned it in 1875. The crew used it at the windlass to get up the anchor before tying up in Melbourne.

The chantyman's verses focus on the theme of "drinking with the girls" in Melbourne, making special mention of a local spirit, "she-oak," and a local dance hall, Mother Shilling's. Because they are so unique and for the record, I have sung all of them. (The only changes are the result of covering a few brain-slips!)

My study of Harlow's tune led me to believe that there are transcription errors. And without going to the details, I "fixed" it with slight "corrections." I believe my corrections are well founded, but for anyone who wants to see what Harlow transcribed, s/he may look at the book...and try to sing the awkward opening phrase!

See the whole "Shanties from the Seven Seas" project, here:
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=58B55DD66F22060C

Category:

Music

Tags:

• south
• australia
• shanty
• chantey
• chanty

[yugandali]

Great song, great singing... and intriguing "shopping cart" style interior decoration.

[hultonclint]

@yugandali Ha! It is much more than decoration...it is the beginning of a musical revolution!

[Ma965]

Ranzo, you are the Man!

[hultonclint]

@Ma965 Hooraw!!

[StatenIslandFolkie]

Glad to see you in longer form again!

[hultonclint]

@StatenIslandFolkie Yeah the nature of my work has changed lately, and it has not been conducive to learning chanties (too much mental activity and too little physical). So I have been trying to learn them during weekly breaks at the beach...!

[yugandali]

@hultonclint If the musical revolution is headed your way, I want on!

PS: Hope you, of all people, celebrated Talk Like a Pirate Day. Happy TLAPD, ARRGHHH!

[hultonclint]

@TravisTricky Thanks. It feels good to finally record a full chanty after a while...I've been tied up with lots of other things. Too bad I learned this while at the beach/ swimming in ocean and it didnt quite "sink in" fully :)

[hultonclint]

@Krzysztex Thanks, friend!

[Krzysztex]

Great job, as always.