The Last Farewell

Album: Greatest Hits (1975)
Charted: 2 19
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  • 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 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
    In 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, 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 Writer/s: Roger Whittaker, Ronald Arthur Webster
    Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 23

  • Brumman from CanadaI'm being pedantic but the bus Ron Webster was riding must have been a Midland Red. LOL
    This song is wonderful and so emotional especially for old expat Englishmen.
  • Tess from United StatesI admire Roger Whittaker’s voice and talent.
  • Timothy MccartneyWho remembers Roger?
    True singer that is very understandable unlike some.
    In my travels all of our albums seemed to get wings and travel into other Houses.
    And you know the where!
  • Henry from Oregon UsaAnother, potential, interpretation that would have been more personal to Roger Whitaker, would be Leaving Africa, since he was born and raised there. A long shot for sure.
  • Me from UsaThe New Christy Minstrels recorded a song with a similar name in 1963! They did not record this song, as was stated by Cool One from Texas.
  • Paul from UkR Webster wrote the lyrics. R Whittaker, the music.
    Only prevented from reaching number 1 in Uk charts due to ( ironically) Sailing by Rod Stewart.
  • Mememary from Griffin,gaI could listen to Roger Whittaker all day long
  • Random Commenter from KansasUm….. Truthful Tony, the music was written by Ron Webster. The lyrics were from a silversmith in the Midlands. He may very well have been Marianne’s stepfather.
  • Cool One from TexasNew Christy Minstrels recorded this song in 1963!
  • Patrick Longworth from Okanagan Falls, British Columbia, CanadaI love this and many of Roger's other recordings.
  • Cliff Mckay from Melbourne FJust a beautiful song sung by just the correct atist.
  • Karen Cramer from Wadsworth, IlOne of those beautiful songs I’ve ever heard
  • Wendy from Taree Nsw Australia This is vet special song played at my fathers funeral in 1976 then my mother’s in 1999
  • Johaan (harry) from Colombo Sri LankaReminds me of my naval days, great song the crew loved it, we use to sing it with gusto especially when we had a few drinks on the way back to the UK.
    Fantastic memories.
  • Truthful Tony from UkEr......Marianne, it was written by Ron Webster!
  • Biffo Bear from BristolBrings back memories of returning to Gatwick in the pouring rain from Cuba back in 1968.
  • Marianne from MassachusettsMy stepfather Edward Moseley wrote this song and sold the rights to Roger Wittaker.
  • Christine from Shawano WisconsinThe lyrics to The last Farewell when sung by Elvis Presley literally causes me to cry. There are so many reasons why I do cry when listening as well as watching the oceans video implemented with it. My curtsey to all involved. My gratitude to Mr Whittaker's and Elvis Presley.
  • Adrian from Johor Bahru, MalaysiaThis song has a similar theme with another oldie from the 1950s,"Rose, Rose I Love You" by Frankie Laine.Both songs were about a Westerner who went to a foreign land and later fell in love with a local woman. Feeling sad about having to return to their home country and having little prospects of meeting up again, they reminisced about the good times they had together.
  • Bradley from Defuniak Springs, FlP.S. MY Performing Handle was BRAD CLARK just in case some past fans drop by and remember this event in my life.
  • Bradley from Defuniak Springs, FlI was performing in a resort when a fan from the past introduced me to this new song in 1975. I made a cassette recording from his 8 track tape and performed it the next evening. It became MY "signature" song for over 10 years. I now can no longer sing, years of abuse, took it's tole. I tear up inside each time I hear this song, remembering the good years I had with wonderful fans...My Last farewell.......thank you Roger for this most fullfilling Melody
  • Lange Winckler from Tampa,Began performing this song in the late 1970's. It has always been a great favorite. Today I can't sing it again - every time I get to the refrain, I break down in tears. Goodbye, Victoria.
  • Declan from Toronto, Canada, United StatesPaying tribute to a very dear friend
see more comments

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