Well put Uke and Jim - All I can add of the NZ version is...

First recorded by the 'Song Spinners' on "Songs of the Whalers" - Kiwi 45E{ M 31-1 ca early-mid 60s - John Godden was vocalist. Yeah Uke, the tune was by Neil Colquhoun, who 'musicalised' many other NZ songs. Radriano, the words could fit a capstan chanty.

Geographical Note = to go with the southern NZ placenames.

We've sailed away to Northward, we've hauled away to East,
We've skimmed our sail in the teeth of a gale and stood in the calmest seas.
We've set our course by a Southern Star, by Stewart through the Strait,
Westward round by Milford Sound, for that is the sailor's fate.

Stewart Island, where I happen to live, is NZ's southernmost inhabited island (popn <400) - Foveaux Strait is the ditch beteen us and South Island.

..Eastward round by Dusky Sound, and Pegasus -through the Strait,
Port Cooper, Ocean, Tom Kain's Bay, for that is the coaster's fate.

Mumble... Dusky Sound is a rather re,pte [art of the SW corner of Soth Island (NZ). Port Cooper etc.. are on the east coast.

If you use the above lines when singing and want to be REALLY pedantic, use via Pegasus OR The Strait 0 Port Pegasus is at the south end of Stewart Island = you need to be scitzo to [ass ther, and Foveax Strait on the same eastabout trip. If weather was OK the sailing ships went through the Strait - if shitty you went south into rougher water - but at least thter was searoom.

Cheers - Sam