The lyrics to The Leaving of Liverpool tell the story of a sailor who has to leave his loved one behind while he earns his living on a sailing ship. The lyrics are presented here in full but most singers leave out some of the verses.
Leaving of Liverpool
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The chords are presented here in the key of C Major, the key used by the Pogues in their recording of The Leaving of Liverpool.
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The Dubliners play the song in A Major in their first recording of the song featuring Ronnnie Drew and Bobby Lynch on vocals.
In later years when Patsy Watchorn sang with the Dubliners, they performed the song in D Major.
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Leaving of Liverpool Lyrics and Chords
Chorus
I’m off to California,
By the way of the stormy Cape Horn,
And I will send to you a letter, love,
When I am homeward bound.
Farewell to Lower Frederick Street,
Anson Terrace and Park Lane;
Farewell, it will be some long time
Before I see you again.
I’ve shipped on a Yankee clipper ship,
Davy Crockett is her name;
And Burgess is the captain of her,
And they say she’s a floating hell.
It’s my second trip with Burgess in the Crockett,
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.
The tug is waiting at the pierhead
To take us down the stream.
Our sails are loose and our anchor secure,
So I’ll bid you good-bye once more.
I’m bound away to leave you,
Good-bye, my love, good-bye.
There ain’t but one thing that grieves me –
That’s leaving you behind.
Alternative First verse
Some singers drop the first verse about the Prince’s Landing stage and use this as a first verse instead.
Fare thee well to you my own true love
I am going far away,
I am bound for California
But I know that I’ll return some day
Additional verse
This verse is not in the original collected version but has emerged since and has been used on several recordings.
Now the sun is in the harbour love,
And I wish I could remain,
For I know it will be a long, long time,
Before I see you again.
Leaving of Liverpool
Leaving of Liverpool Videos
Lyrics and Chords
The leaving of Liverpool print version
I’m off to California,
By the way of the stormy Cape Horn,
And I will send to you a letter, love,
When I am homeward bound.
Farewell to Lower Frederick Street,
Anson Terrace and Park Lane;
Farewell, it will be some long time
Before I see you again.
I’ve shipped on a Yankee clipper ship,
Davy Crockett is her name;
And Burgess is the captain of her,
And they say she’s a floating hell.
It’s my second trip with Burgess in the Crockett,
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.
The tug is waiting at the pierhead
To take us down the stream.
Our sails are loose and our anchor secure,
So I’ll bid you good-bye once more.
I’m bound away to leave you,
Good-bye, my love, good-bye.
There ain’t but one thing that grieves me;
That’s leaving you behind.
Leaving of Liverpool
Leaving of Liverpool Videos
Lyrics and Chords
