The Last Farewell - Live Lyrics
Roger Whittaker
Lyrics
There's a ship lies rigged and ready in the harbor
Tomorrow for old England she sails
Far away from your land of endless sunshine
To my land full of rainy skies and gales
And I shall be aboard that ship tomorrow
Though my heart is full of tears at this farewell
For you are beautiful, and I have loved you dearly
More dearly than the spoken word can tell
For you are beautiful, and I have loved you dearly
More dearly than the spoken word can tell
I've heard there's a wicked war a-blazing
And the taste of war I know so very well
Even now I see the foreign flag a-raising
Their guns on fire as we sail into Hell
I have no fear of death, it brings no sorrow
But how bitter will be this last farewell
For you are beautiful, and I have loved you dearly
More dearly than the spoken word can tell
For you are beautiful, and I have loved you dearly
More dearly than the spoken word can tell
Though death and darkness gather all about me
And my ship be torn apart upon the seas
I shall smell again the fragrance of these islands
And the heaving waves that brought me once to thee
And should I return home safe again to England
I shall watch the English mist roll through the dale
For you are beautiful, I have loved you dearly
More dearly than the spoken word can tell
For you are beautiful, I have loved you dearly
More dearly than the spoken word can tell
Song & Lyrics Facts
Roger Whittaker's "The Last Farewell" is a folk song written by British singer-songwriter Roger Whittaker and released in 1975. It was featured on his album, New World in the Morning, which was released in 1971.
The genre of the song is Folk Pop with lyrics written by Ron Miller and music composed by Phil Galdston. This live version of the song features Whittaker on vocals and guitar, backed up by his band members; bassist Bob Curnow, keyboardist Steve Forman, guitarist Chris Spedding, and drummer Jim Keltner. This rendition of “The Last Farewell” has become one of Whittaker’s signature songs. In fact, it became an international hit for him after its release and reached number 7 on the UK Singles Chart. Additionally, this track has been covered by many artists over the years including Elvis Presley, Willie Nelson, and Johnny Cash. Lyrics to the song include poignant lines such as: “And I'll never pass this way again/So I'm taking a last look around me/At the dreams that have all come to nothing/And the memories I know will always be.