[ Sydney is a city built on a harbour, possibly the world's most beautiful harbour. Visitors are usually amazed that they can sail right into the city's heart and stare up at the great 'coat hanger' of a harbour bridge, across to the Sydney Opera House with its evocative sails and then back to the CBD with its towering buildings and hubbub. The close proximity of city life and harbour life come together at the Circular Quay where ferries dart in and out taking passengers up and down the harbour's tributaries. The harbour, with its many ports and islands, has inspired poets, songwriters and storytellers and continues to contribute to our folklore.

Bondi

The citizens of Sydney were fascinated by Bondi as a salt water bathing destination. While ocean pool swimming, with neck to knee bathing attire, was the norm there were alsosome hardy souls who braved the waves and after the establishment of the Life Saving service the idea of sea swimming became incredibly popular. This song is typical of the popular songs written around the turn of the 19th century.

Narrabeen

This song was published in the Manly Daily, a large daily newspaper that served the north shore of Sydney. It must be remembered that this newspaper was prior to the establishment of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the north shore residents relied on local news availability.

Maroubra

A song toasting the eastern southern beach of the same name. The songwriter appears to have transposed Maroubra to Hawaii complete with with swaying hula girls.

The Lad on the Man-O'-War Imperial Songster 85 approx 1905 words and music by Alan M. Rattray and L. L. Howarde a popular pantomime number

Emigration Bound ARGUS ship's newsletter 1862 March ñ June Barque 'Colonial Empire' sailing London to Sydney tune: Old Virginny

On Sleep

ARGUS ship's newsletter
1862 March ñ June
Barque 'Colonial Empire' sailing London to Sydney
Nature requires five
Custom gives seven
Laziness takes nine
And wickedness eleven

Our Dirty Second Floor Tune: Nelly Gray Note: this song, a parody, appears to be relative of Maggie May

The Maid Onboard M3274 NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM A series of handwritten ship's journals 1850s

The Fisherman's Daughter M2834 - NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM 1879 sea trip diaries Note: song roughly hand-written nostalgic song typical of the era

Outward Bound SEA BREEZE MAGAZINE March 1959 ñ Journal of the Shiplovers' Assoc. This song comes from the memoirs of Walter Warren (born 1858) and he learnt it during a voyage from London to New Zealand in 1874 TUNE: Homeward Bound

The Stokers
Sea Breeze 1959 August quotes this ditty from the steam ship era.

The Captain on the bridge above thinks he owns the show
'Taint he, 'tis the stokers that make the ship to go,
'Tis the grimy, greasy stokers lugging at the skids.
And only getting shillings while the captain he gets quids.

Haul the Bowline Sea Breeze 1958 Part of a ditty sung on exiting Sydney 1882

Blow The Man

Whaler's Life Anon 1866 contributed to the Australian Journal by J D of Mount Alexander, Victoria.

Shanty
From Capt John Williams (born 1896) who had it from his father.

Anchors' Weighed
The tears fall gently from his eye
When last we parted on the shore
And from her lips came many a sigh
To think that I should see her no more

Capstan Shanty
As sung in Melbourne and above reference

Call the hands to man the capstan
See the cable runs down clear
And we'll spread our wings for England
As to England's shores we steer