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;^[1] the details referenced in the lyrics place its likely origin around the 1860s or 70s. 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.^[2] The ship was converted to a coal barge in 1890 and finally wrecked in 1899.^[3]

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.^[4]

The former (Lower) Frederick Street, a short run between the north end of Park Lane and Canning Place, is now a parking garage.^[5]

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).^[6]

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".^[7]

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

YouTube Videos

Album version

Gig Videos

Exeter Phoenix, Exeter (5 Apr 2024)
The Sinclair, Cambridge, MA (7 May 2024)
Thalia Hall, Chicago, IL (21 May 2024)
The Crocodile, Seattle, WA (28 Sep 2024) (from the stage!)
The Majestic Theatre, Dallas, TX (12 Oct 2024)
Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, UK (1 Feb 2025) (with El Pony Pisador)
O2 Academy2, Liverpool, UK (3 Feb 2025) (with El Pony Pisador)
Winchester Cathedral, Winchester, UK (8 Feb 2025) (with El Pony Pisador)
Pokémon EUIC Opening Ceremony, ExCeL London (21 Feb 2025)
Bristol Harbour Festival, UK (20 July 2025) (With BSL Interpreter)

Full Band Streams

Chill Streams

JD and Andy Chilltime - 03/02/2020 Stream Full VOD

Gaming Streams

[1] ttps://mainlynorfolk.info/louis.killen/songs/theleavingofliverpool.html

[2] ttps://www.fresnostate.edu/folklore/ballads/Doe104.html

[3] ttp://www.bruzelius.info/Nautica/Ships/Clippers/David_Crockett(1853).html

[4] ttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liverpool_Cruise_Terminal

[5] ttps://historic-liverpool.co.uk/old-streets-liverpool/

[6] ttps://historic-liverpool.co.uk/dark-heritage-pembroke-place-documents-archaeology/

[7] ttps://youtu.be/PjFqYQBPh1U?t=3681

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