Port Misery

by Brillig

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about

Brillig's contribution to the Semaphore Songs Project, where SA artists wrote songs about the Port Adelaide / Semaphore region.

Brillig's track invokes one of the Port's early nicknames, as described by those arriving from England after a long sea journey. Leaving England for a new life in Australia in the 1840s offered much promise. There was however really no turning back once the journey was started. It was a long perilous leap into the unknown. "Port Misery" is "a song about the song" these brave travelers sang on the sea voyage from London to Port Adelaide.

You can purchase the entire CD (physical product) from Brillig's BigCartel store:
brillig.bigcartel.com/product/semaphore-songs-cd
--or-- it is available at Brillig's live performances, where you can get it FREE if you purchase a copy of The Red Coats LP.

lyrics

LYRICS:
We sung in the days, we sang in the nights
For three long months at sea

We left our lives, we left our loves
We left the old country

Poor misery, your poor misery
Pour your misery down

I'm on the docks of London Town
No chains, my will is free

Bound for South Australia
Port Adelaide will be…

Port Misery, poor Port Misery
Port Misery Town
Port Misery, poor Port Misery
Port Misery bound

We sung in the days, we sang in the nights
For three long months at sea

The life I lead, the tales I tell
You'll get no more from me…

(from)
Port Misery, poor Port Misery
Port Misery Town
Port Misery, poor Port Misery
Port Misery bound

We'll all be free in Port Misery
Port Misery town
We'll all be free in Port Misery
Port Misery bound
Port Misery bound
Port Misery bound

credits

released February 26, 2012
Recorded at Chez D studios 2011
Copyright lyrics: Matt Swayne 2011
Music copyright: Matt Swayne, Elizabeth Reid, Denni Meredith 2011

license

about

Brillig SA, Australia

"If you know what Cohen, Cash & Cave have in common, it's right here” - Periplaneta, Germany

For those who like folk tales deliciously dark yet strangely uplifting, look no further than acclaimed trio Brillig, who share their penchant for sea shanties, murder ballads & beautifully tragic gothic folk tales with festival crowds across Europe, Australia + New Zealand and airwaves around the globe. ... more

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