We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.
supported by
John Davis
John Davis thumbnail
/

  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Songs of the southern oceans - 22 tracks

    Comes in cardboard sleeve with printed 8 page booklet

    Shipping outside Australia takes 2-3 weeks using standard postage. Contact us for any queries.

    Includes unlimited streaming of Crossing the Line via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 7 days

      $20 AUD or more 

     

  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $1 AUD  or more

     

  • Buy the Full Digital Album

  • Full Digital Discography

    Get all 4 Forty Degrees South releases available on Bandcamp and save 15%.

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Crossing the Line, Life Of Brine, Shore Leave, and Hazard, Hardship And Damned Little Pay. , and , .

    Purchasable with gift card

      $38.25 AUD or more (15% OFF)

     

about

The song has become universally popular among singers of maritime songs. Its haunting tune and imagery emphasise the vastness of the southern oceans. The Mollymauks are group of albatross species found only in the Southern Hemisphere with wingspans ranging between 1.8 and 2.6 metres. Bob Watson wrote in Readifolk in 2012, “The ability of these birds to navigate in such inhospitable places gave rise to wonderment and also much legend and superstition”

lyrics

Oh, the Southern Ocean is a lonely place,
Where the storms are many and the shelter’s scarce.
... Down upon the southern ocean sailing,
... Down below Cape Horn
On the restless water and the troublin’ skies
There you’ll see that Mollymauk wheel and fly.
... Down upon the southern ocean sailing,
... Down below Cape Horn

Chorus:
Won’t you ride the wind and go, bright seabird.
Won’t you ride the wind and go, mollymawk
Down upon the southern ocean sailing,
Down below Cape Horn.

See the Mollymauk riding on his wide, white wings,
And, lord, what a lonely song he sings …
And he’s got no compass and he’s got no gear,
And there’s none can tell ya how the Mollymauka steer …

He’s the ghost of a sailor-man, so I’ve heard say.
Whose body sank, and his soul flew away …
And he’s got no haven and he’s got no home,
He’s bound evermore for to wheel and roam …

When I gets too weary for to sail no more,
Let my bones sink better far away from shore …
You can cast me loose and leave me driftin’ free,
And I’ll keep that big bird company …

credits

from Crossing the Line, released July 9, 2021
Bob Watson 1987

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Forty Degrees South image

Forty Degrees South Sydney, Australia

A Sydney folk group known from 1988 for their powerful impact when singing unaccompanied traditional songs.

Strong individual singers, the interplay of their combined voices makes for a distinctive sound.

Sea shanties and other songs of maritime and industrial history and union songs feature large in their repertoire, songs with a robust quality that tell of real people, their lives and work. ... more

contact / help

Contact Forty Degrees South

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this track or account

Forty Degrees South recommends:

If you like Forty Degrees South, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Seafood Sam joins the show to discuss his newest album, " Standing On Giant Shoulders".
listen now