The Leaving of Liverpool (Cover) by Seth Staton Watkins

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The Leaving of Liverpool (Cover) by Seth Staton Watkins

As is probably obvious, this cover was heavily influenced by The High Kings version, but I like what I did with it. "(The) Leaving of Liverpool", also known as "Fare Thee Well, My Own True Love", is a traditional folk song. Folklorists classify it as a lyrical lament and it was also used as a sea shanty, especially at the capstan. The song's narrator laments his long sailing trip to California and the thought of leaving his true love behind, vowing to return someday.

"The Leaving of Liverpool" has been recorded by many popular folk singers and groups since the 1950s. The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem, The Dubliners, The Pogues, and The High Kings are among them.

Lyrics:
Fare thee well to Prince's Landing Stage
River Mersey, fare thee well
I am bound for California
It's a place that I know right well
So fare thee well, my own true love
And 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 have signed on a Yankee Clipper ship
Davy Crockett is her name
And Burgess is the Captain of her
And they say that she's a floating shame
So fare thee well, my own true love
And 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 have sailed with Burgess once before
He's a man that I know right well
If a man is a sailor, he can get along
And if nothin' he is sure in Hell
So fare thee well, my own true love
And 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
Now the sun is on the harbour, love
And I wish I could remain
For I know it will be a long, long time
Before I see you again
Here we go!
So fare thee well, my own true love
And 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
So fare thee well, my own true love
And 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