A sea song that started
ashore, this song eventually made it onto the ships where it spread
rapidly. Eventually, it became one of the traditional "Final Haul" songs.
(Chorus)
Rollin' home... Rollin home...
Rollin' home across the sea
Rollin' home to dear old England...
Rollin' home dear land to thee
Call all hands to man the capstain
See your cable flake down clear
Now we're sailin' homeward bound boys
For the channel we will steer
(Chorus)
Now Australia we are leavin'
For old England give a cheer
Fair ye well ye dark eyed damsels
Give three cheers for English beer!
(Chorus)
Round cape horn on a winters morning
Now amongst the ice and snow
You can hear our shell backs singin'
Sheet her home boys let her go!
(Chorus)
Eighteen months away from England
Only fifty days no more
On salt horse and cracker hash boys
Boston beans that make us sore!
(Chorus)
Now the lizard lights a shinin'
And we're bound up to the Nor'
With our canvas full and drawin'
Soon we'll be on England's shore
(Chorus)
Many countrys have I traveled
Many strange sights I have seen
But give to me the English maiden
Softly trippin' ore' the green
(Chorus)