Leaving of Liverpool
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"Leaving of Liverpool", also known as Fare Thee Well, My Own True Love is an Anglo - Irish folk ballad, a popular and wistful entry in the nation's pub song catalogue. The sea song's narrator laments his emigration to America and the thought of leaving his birthplace and loved ones (especially his "own true love"). For Irish immigrants, Liverpool was the natural point of embarkation because it had the necessary shipping lines and a choice of destinations and infrastructure, including special emigration trains directly to The Princes Landing Stage (which is mentioned in the song's first line).
The song was collected by William Main Doerflinger, one of the great American folk-song collectors. pedal The tune was adapted by Bob Dylan in January 1963, retitled simply as "Farewell", a variation which has never been officially released.
"Leaving of Liverpool" also inspired Cowboy Music. Ed Stabler wrote a cowboy's version called "The Leavin' of Texas". A sample of those lyrics:
- And it's fare thee well my own true love.
- We'll meet another day, another time.
- It's not the leavin' of Texas that's grievin' me,
- But my darlin' who's bound to stay behind.
[edit] Lyrics
- Farewell to Prince's Landing Stage
- River Mersey, fare thee well
- I am bound for California,
- A place I know right well
Chorus:
So fare thee well, my own true love
For when I return, united we will be
It's not the leaving of Liverpool that grieves me
But my darling when I think of thee
- I'm bound off for California
- By the way of stormy Cape Horn
- And I'm bound to write you a letter, love
- When I am homeward bound
(Chorus)
- I have signed on a Yankee clipper ship
- Davy Crockett is her name
- And Burgess is the Captain of her
- And they that say she's a floating Hell
(Chorus)
- I have shipped with Burgess once before
- And I think I know him well
- If a man's a seaman, he can get along
- If not, then he's sure in Hell
(Chorus)
- Farewell to lower Frederick Street
- Ensign Terrace and Park Lane
- For I think it will be a long, long time
- Before I see you again
(Chorus)
- Oh the sun is on the harbour, love
- And I wish I could remain
- For I know it will be a long, long time
- Till I see you again
(Chorus)
