COLLECTED FROM GEORGE PATTISON

MURPHY’S GONE TO RIO

George Pattison
Cape de Couedie Lighthouse
Kangaroo Island
South Australia
4 Dec 1924 (and 1941)
Clive Carey SS414

Murphy’s gone, what shall I do?
Away to Rio,
Murphy’s gone, what shall I do?
Murphy’s gone to Rio

Murphy’s gone, what shall I do?
Away to Rio,
Murphy’s gone, what shall I do?
I’ll pack my bag and I’ll go too.

I thought I heard the first mate say,
Away to Rio,
Oh, one more pull and then belay,
Murphy’s gone to Rio.

This is a version of Tom’s Gone to Hilo. Hugill does not provide a text but Bone does in ‘Capstan Bars’ however his character is ‘Tommy’ and he goes on to explain that ‘It has a plaintive air, and was sung in slow impressive time, generally when the strength of the crew had already been taxed in the working of the ship. Under such circumstances, the hoisting of a topsail occupied a considerable time. The song was also sung ‘Tom’s gone to Hell-o’.