The Leaving of Liverpool

Also known as "Fare Thee Well, My Own True Love," this song was first collected by William Doerflinger in 1938, but his informant recalled first learning it in the 1880s;https://mainlynorfolk.info/louis.killen/songs/theleavingofliverpool.html the details referenced in the lyrics place its likely origin around the 1870s. It is a classic folk song that has been recorded by various groups since. The song's narrator sings a lament about sailing to California, away from his lover.
The Longest Johns released their version as track 4 on Voyage.
==Factoids==
The David Crockett was a clipper ship launched in 1853, originally on the Liverpool-to-New York route, and switching to the San Francisco route in 1857. It had a reputation for being both large and fast. John A. Burgess, known as a skilled captain and strict disciplinarian, took command of the ship in 1860. On his final voyage home before retirement in 1874, he was washed overboard and drowned.https://www.fresnostate.edu/folklore/ballads/Doe104.html The ship was converted to a coal barge in 1890 and finally wrecked in 1899.http://www.bruzelius.info/Nautica/Ships/Clippers/David_Crockett(1853).html
Of the specific Liverpool landmarks referenced in the song, only Park Lane still exists. Prince's Landing Stage was demolished in 1973, though the remaining Prince's Dock has since been redeveloped and now hosts the Liverpool Cruise Terminal.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liverpool_Cruise_Terminal The former (Lower) Frederick Street, a short run between the north end of Park Lane and Canning Place, is now a parking garage.https://historic-liverpool.co.uk/old-streets-liverpool/ The neighborhood around Anson Street at the time was known as "Little Hell" for its high murder rate and number of brothels; the street remains, but Anson Terrace, an adjoining alleyway of back-to-back court houses, has been demolished and paved over (though two court houses from the neighboring Watkinson Terrace survive as shop extensions).https://historic-liverpool.co.uk/dark-heritage-pembroke-place-documents-archaeology/
JD has mentioned that he put extra-thick strings on his guitar specially for the album recording of this song, and tuned the guitar to DADGAD except one step lower so it sounded "mega fat".https://youtu.be/PjFqYQBPh1U?t=3681
==Lyrics==
As performed on the album.
{Chorus}
So fare thee well, my own true love
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
Fare thee well to Prince's Landing Stage
River Mersey, fare thee well
I am bound for California
A place that I know right well
{Chorus}
Oh I'm bound to California
By way of stormy Cape Horn
And I'll write to you a letter, love
When I am homeward bound
{Chorus}
I am bound on a Yankee clipper ship
Davy Crockett is her name
And the captain's name is Burgess
And they say she's a floating hell
{Chorus}
So farewell to Lower Frederick Street
Anson Terrace, and Park Lane
I think it will be a long, long time
Before I see you again
{Chorus x2}
But my darling when I think of thee.
== Recordings ==
====Stream/Purchase====
*Amazon
*Apple Music/iTunes
*Anghami
*Bandcamp
*Deezer
*Pandora
*Spotify
*Tidal
====YouTube Videos====
*Album version
==== Full Band Streams ====
*The Longest Johns Impromptu Singing Stream! (17 Nov 2018)
*Last Stream Before Album Launch! (27 May 2020)
*A Midsummer Nights Stream (5 Jul 2023)
*Ghost in the Mastream (30 Aug 2023)
*Stream (6 Mar 2024)
==== Chill Streams ====
*JD and Andy Chilltime - 03/02/2020 Stream Full VOD
====Gaming Streams====
*It’s sail and sing with special guest KHARITES_! - 01/06/2020
*Sea of Thieves Tall Tales Marathon for Charity : Part 2 (29 Jun 2020)
*All aboard the shant bus… I mean boat… I mean ship - 20/11/2020
*Jingle Drops Jingle Drops - 15/12/2020
*Let’s get piratical! Sea of Sings! - 8/01/2021
Category:Songs
Category:JD Songs
Category:Traditional
Category:Voyage