Written by legendary NZ Shantyman Rudy Sunde (c) 2005
In 1853
The Edwin Fox took to the sea
Fully rigged ship from Indian teak
She slid down the waves and looked so sweet
Heave away haul me gallant lads
Heave away and don’t be sad
Heave away haul and sing out loud
The Edwin Fox is homeward bound
The Crimean War was raging then
She was used to transport men
Soldiers to fight the Russian foe
Many that left never came home
Then she sailed in general trade
India and back journey she made
Carrying mainly beer and tea
To tempt the pallets of you and me
She became a convict ship
Transporting men a one way trip
Hundreds of men down below
Down below in that awful hole
An immigrant ship she then became
Many journeys she did make
Bringing migrants to our land
Saying farewell to old England
Her sailing days at an end
She became the farmers crane
Freezing machines stored on board
Freezing lambs for export
Edwin Fox the story is old
One more chapter to be told
She was used for storing coal
A shameful fate for one so bold
She’s now in her final home
Never more the seas to roam
At picton harbour she’s at rest
May her future days be blessed