The Leaving of Liverpool
The Evergreens Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I am bound for California, a place I know right well
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
And Burgess is the captain of her, and they say she is a floating shame
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
Oh the sun is on the harbour love, and I wish I could remain,
For I know it will be a long, long time, before I see you again
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
It's not the leaving of Liverpool that grieves me
But my darling when I think of thee
The Evergreens' song "The Leaving of Liverpool" is a classic folk song that tells the story of a sailor who is leaving Liverpool and his true love behind to sail on a Yankee ship named the Davy Crockett to California. As he bids farewell to the River Mersey and his love, he expresses his sadness at leaving her but also his hope of reuniting with her upon his return.
The song's simplicity and repetitive structure add to its charm, but the lyrics themselves are evocative and poignant. The sailor speaks of his deep love for his sweetheart and his regrets at having to leave her behind, but also his excitement at embarking on a new adventure in California.
The sailor's ship, the Davy Crockett, is described as a "floating shame," likely due to its poor condition or reputation. This adds an element of danger and uncertainty to the sailor's journey, as he sets off on a less-than-ideal vessel.
Overall, "The Leaving of Liverpool" is a timeless ode to love, adventure, and longing. Its imagery and emotional resonance have made it a beloved folk song for generations.
Line by Line Meaning
Farewell to Princes' landing stage River Mersey fare thee well
Goodbye to the port of Liverpool and farewell to the River Mersey
I am bound for California, a place I know right well
I am going to California, a place I am familiar with
So fare thee well my own true love
So goodbye to my true love
When I return united we will be
We will be together again when I come back
It's not the leaving of Liverpool that grieves me
Leaving Liverpool does not make me sad
But my darling when I think of thee
But thinking of my love makes me sad
I have shipped on a Yankee sailing ship, Davy Crockett is her name,
I am on a Yankee ship called Davy Crockett
And Burgess is the captain of her, and they say she is a floating shame
Captain Burgess is in charge of the ship, but it is not well-regarded
Oh the sun is on the harbour love, and I wish I could remain,
The sun is shining on the harbor, and I wish I could stay
For I know it will be a long, long time, before I see you again
Because I know it will be a long time before I see you again
It's not the leaving of Liverpool that grieves me
Leaving Liverpool does not make me sad
But my darling when I think of thee
But thinking of my love makes me sad
It's not the leaving of Liverpool that grieves me
Leaving Liverpool does not make me sad
But my darling when I think of thee
But thinking of my love makes me sad
Contributed by Kylie N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.