South Australia:What the hell's a 'Rolling King'?

Subject: RE: What the hell's a 'Rolling King'?
From: Dead Horse
Date: 27 Jun 02 - 12:09 AM

Probably derived from "Ruler King" sung in some versions. The transition from ruler to rolling sounding more nautical ? That's my guess, for what it's worth.

Subject: RE: What the hell's a 'Rolling King'?
From: GUEST,ozmacca
Date: 27 Jun 02 - 12:07 AM

Have heard it emphasised as "Be rollicking" which has the advantage of meaning something, even if it doesn't ring seamanly true.... Also as "roll and cling", presumably pull the rpoe back through the pulley block, then hang on for grim death.... Could it have something to do with one of the poor sods dragging the rope setting the pace - as in "ruler something...." or could it be......................

Maybe Don's right.

Subject: RE: What the hell's a 'Rolling King'?
From: DonMeixner
Date: 27 Jun 02 - 12:01 AM

Something that rhymes with "Hear Me Sing".

Don

Subject: What the hell's a 'Rolling King'?
From: Wincing Devil
Date: 26 Jun 02 - 11:51 PM

In the sea chanty South Australia there is a line in the chorus, "Heave away you rolling king" or in some versions, "rolling kings". I've looked all over the net, but I can't get this simple question answered:

What the hell's a Rolling King?

(With apologies to Celtic Soul and the rest of the Pyrates Royale)