In the early 1970’s a quirky song written and performed by Bernard Bolan, The Rose Bay Ferry, reached number one in the Australian top forty charts. It captures the romance and escapism associated with ferry travel on Sydney Harbour. I contacted Bernard some years ago to ask if I could use some lines from the song in a newspaper article. His generous response, was; ‘Of course you can, use anything you want.’
The lyrics of The Rose Bay Ferry begin;
Every morning at 8.25,
down to the Rose Bay wharf I drive.
Park my Humber underneath a tree,
pop along the gang-plank and then I’m free!
The ferry mentioned in the song was owned and operated by the Nicholson Bros, prompting the day-dreaming commuter to muse;
Where are we going today Mr Nicholson?
Where is it going to be?
Don’t turn left, turn right down the harbour
And out to the open sea.
In Bolan’s imagination they set off through the heads bound for some exotic location. Perhaps it will be Java today…. or maybe Japan? But inevitably Mr Nicholson heads for the city and the dream slowly turns into reality. The song concludes poignantly; We finish up at Circular Quay. Oh dear, another dreary day at the office.
Commuter ferries at Circular Quay 1950s.
Here is an early photograph of a Nicholson Ferry, note the Harbour Bridge still under construction.
If you would like to hear Bernard Singing this delightful song, CLICK HERE.
Besides its lilting melody, the charm of the song lies in the integrity of its lyrics. English born Bolan was then a corporate lawyer, living in Rose Bay and travelling to his office via the harbour. He explains; Sydney was my first real experience of city living, and I found it a bit stressful. That was the dark side of the song. But I loved my ferry ride.’
For Sydney’s commuters the nineteen seventies could be described as the golden age of ferry commuting. Influenced by the preceding ‘swinging sixties’ passengers dressed like cruise passengers. Women went bare-legged and men discarded their uncomfortable suits in favour of shorts and long socks.
While I was writing this piece I discovered that Bernard Bolan had died a few weeks earlier. Thanks for the pleasure you gave to so many people Bernard, especially me.
FOR THE CURRENT ROSE BAY FERRY TIME-TABLE, CLICK HERE.
