Lyrics

Leaving of Liverpool

Forebitter and Capstan Shanty

Traditional

Farewell to you, my own true love,
For I’m sailing far away,
I am bound for Valparaiso,
And I know that I’ll be back some day.

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 darlin’ when I think of thee.

I’m bound for Valparaiso,
By way of ol’ Cape Horn,
And I know that I will rue the day
And the hour that I was born.
Chorus

I have shipped upon a Yankee sailing ship,
Davy Crockett is her name,
And Burgess in the captain of her,
And hear that she’s a floating shame.
Chorus

‘Tis me second passage with ol’ Burgess,
And I think I know him well.
If a man’s a sailor, he can get along,
But if not, he’s sure in hell.
Chorus

Oh, the sun is on the harbor, love,
And I wish I could remain,
For I know it will be a long, long time,
Before I see you again.
Chorus

WHERE TO FIND IT

image of album cover for Bounding Main Lost at Sea - click for more info about the album

Song Notes

We were first exposed to this song at the sea shanty sing-outs hosted by David HB Drake at the old terminal building where the Discovery World Museum now stands.  The song book that he used was collected by a former band-mate of his and it has since been passed down to a whole new Milwaukee-based sea shanty sing-out group run by Sarah Warran.