According to Joanna Colcord's Roll and Go, the origin of this shanty probably belongs to the days of British wool-clippers, which ran between London and Melbourne or Sydney.
In Harlow's variant, sheoak is the name of a high-proof, keg beer made in southern Australia. Mother Shilling runs the inn and dance hall the sailors proceed to visit.
South Australia is my home
Ch: Heave away, haul away!
South Australia is my home
Ch: I'm bound for South Australia
Heave away,
Heave away
Heave away you rolling king
I'm bound for South Austalia
There ain't but the one thing grieves my mind,
To leave my wife and child behind.
My wife is standing on the quay;
The tears do start as she waves to me
Now fare you well and fare you well;
Now fare you well, I wish you well.
South Australia is my native land
Ch: Heave away! Heave away!
Mountains rich in quartz and sand.
Ch: I am bound for South Australia
Heave away!
Heave away!
Heave away, you Ruler King,
I am bound for South Australia
Gold and wool, brings ships to our shore,
And our coal will load many more.
Here's a packet anchored off the pier,
There's a bar ashore with foaming beer.
Heave! Oh heave! and we'll all go ashore,
Where we will drink with girls galore.
Glasses filed, we'll touch with a clink,
Heave! bullies, heave! the girls want a drink.
I see Julia, standing on the quay,
With a dame for you and me.
At the head of Sandridge Railroad pier,
Straight to Mother Shilling's we'll steer.
Julia slins the sheoak at the bar
And welcomes sailors from afar.
In the dance hall there you'll pick your girl
With golden hair and teeth of pearl.
She will drink you blind while at the bar,
And call you, "Dear, my own Jack Tar."
She'll waltz you round in a dizzy dance,
While you're half drunk and in a trace.
Then we'll go to Mother Shilling's name,
And drink again to the lvoely dame.
In the arms of girls we'll dance and sing,
For sheoak will be Ruler King.
Drunk! For sheoak's gone to our head,
The girls can put us all to bed.