"(The) Leaving of Liverpool" (Roud 9435), also known as "Fare Thee Well, My Own True Love", is a folk song. Folklorists classify it as a lyrical lament and it was also used as a sea shanty, especially at the capstan. It is very well known in Britain, Ireland, and America, despite the fact that it was collected only twice, from the Americans Richard Maitland and Captain Patrick Tayluer. It was collected from both singers by William Main Doerflinger, an American folk song collector particularly associated with sea songs in New York.[1] The song's narrator laments his long sailing trip to California and the thought of leaving his loved ones (especially his "own true love"), pledging to return to her one day.
"The Leaving of Liverpool" has been recorded by many popular folk singers and groups since the 1950s. The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem had a top 10 hit with the song in Ireland in 1964.[2][3] The song has also been adapted by several artists, most notably The Dubliners and The Pogues.
- ^ Winick, Stephen (Summer–Fall 2008). ""Sung With Gusto by the Men": A Unique Recording of "The Leaving of Liverpool" in the AFC Archive" (PDF). Folklife Center News, Library of Congress. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
- ^ "Hits of the World: Eire". Billboard. Vol. 76, no. 12. 21 March 1964. p. 32.
- ^ "Hits of the World: Eire". Billboard. Vol. 76, no. 14. 4 April 1964. p. 30.