Original words and tune by Zack Schofield and Surry Hills Sarah. Both Sarah and Zack are from Newcastle and wrote about this true event in this song.
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The good ship Pasha Bulker, the waves they did engulf her
58,000 tonnes of coal still waiting for transport,
And while we fill the sandbags, she’s a cocktail in her hand lads,
She’s lying on a beach because she missed the turn for port.
It’s the winter of 07, Kevin’s in and then the heavens open up,
It’s an east coast low, the likes we’ve never seen before,
The warning comes: a front is forming, keep a weather eye, the swell is high,
It’s time to close the port and send those ships away from shore.
The good ship Pasha Bulker, the waves they did engulf her
58,000 tonnes of coal still waiting for transport,
And while we fill the sandbags, she’s a cocktail in her hand lads,
She’s lying on a beach because she missed the turn for port.
But one captain missed the message, and bloody hell did he regret it
When the mighty Pasha Bulker beached at 90 whole degrees,
But there ain’t much time to see her yet, cause Newy’s getting awfully wet
And the drains that spill stormwater fill with utes and SUVs.
The good ship Pasha Bulker, the waves they did engulf her
58,000 tonnes of coal still waiting for transport,
And while we fill the sandbags, she’s a cocktail in her hand lads,
She’s lying on a beach because she missed the turn for port.
Jesus what an awful mess, but oh god bless the SES
Rescuing the oldies in a dinghy down King Street,
While the lashing rain surrounds us and the sea she tries to drown us
See the sailors helicoptered from their ship, in full retreat.
The good ship Pasha Bulker, the waves they did engulf her
58,000 tonnes of coal still waiting for transport,
And while we fill the sandbags, she’s a cocktail in her hand lads,
She’s lying on a beach because she missed the turn for port.
It’s a god-almighty shower that cuts half the Hunter’s power
And the spoiled steak alone could make the insurance adjustor cry,
Yes the schools are closed, pick up the kids, but careful getting home in this
Cause nine pour souls out on the roads already said their last goodbye.
The good ship Pasha Bulker, the waves they did engulf her
58,000 tonnes of coal still waiting for transport,
And while we fill the sandbags, she’s a cocktail in her hand lads,
She’s lying on a beach because she missed the turn for port.
So batten down the hatches, and pray that copper catches
The wild Broadmeadow stallion that’s escaping in the wind,
And it’s “how ya going, neighbour,” and “do you need a favour?”
We’re labouring through the flood and rain like penance for our sins.
The good ship Pasha Bulker, the waves they did engulf her
58,000 tonnes of coal still waiting for transport,
And while we fill the sandbags, she’s a cocktail in her hand lads,
She’s lying on a beach because she missed the turn for port.
Now if you’re a Sydney-sider, just believe how we’ve described her,
Bloody Clancy’s not the only one who’s of the overflow,
The clean up took for-fucking-ever, and now we check the weather, cuz
Every Novocastrian remembers the East Coast Low.
The good ship Pasha Bulker, the waves they did engulf her
58,000 tonnes of coal still waiting for transport,
And while we fill the sandbags, she’s a cocktail in her hand lads,
She’s lying on a beach because she missed the turn for port.
Go to Randy Dandy Shanties main page
More songs by Zack, More songs by Sarah.
And here they are singing it!
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