ROGER WHITTAKER - "Durham Town (The Leavin')" (1969)

[kakurot69]

2GADAFFI The Hero. Elevator music is easy listening music from the 50's throuth the mid 70's. aka Frank Sinatra, Roger Whittaker, Perry Como, Dean Martin and the like.

[ChuckyTwoTimes]

As for the trolling riffraff and their dim-witted opinions and tasteless remarks, I wouldn't bother paying them any mind whatsoever, as doing so may create the illusion that they are worthy of acknowledgment from those whom are clearly of a higher level on the evolutionary scale...

[ChuckyTwoTimes]

Thanks for posting Mr. TCan!!... Like so many others here, this song (beautifully composed and performed by the one and only Roger Whittaker) brings back so many cherished memories of my childhood growing up in the 70's... Roger's version of this number in French (entitled "Mon Pays Bleu" and which I find to be just as stirring and inspirational as his English rendition) is also quite noteworthy as being a very big hit in the global Francophone community.

[Mightvic12345]

I love this song. But although my mom keeps on playing this song, and it was getting annoying, i still like the song.

[worseto1]

roger is a soul man.

[WeTheStrange]

This reminds me of my childhood. Roger Whittaker has such a warm voice.

[shvetes]

Thanks for the post. Have always loved this since the 70's.

[frankd1965]

KTUC, KCEE, KGVY and KOY in Arizona play this song.

[smwca123]

In a radio interview years ago, Roger said Durham was where he would have liked to be born had he been born in England (of course he was born in Kenya). The locals were working men very receptive to his music in his early career in the 60s - but they worked hard for their money, and made him work hard for his. He also admitted to taking a geographic liberty about the River Tyne; Durham is actually on the River Wear; the nearest the Tyne comes is Newcastle-upon-Tyne, some 20 miles north.

[Jofismify]

argh, reminds me too much of my evil mother....god help me, im am listening to it now!

[2spyc]

I grew up listening to Roger Whittaker's songs.. it brings back memories of making cookies with Mom on sundays. I prefer the french version of this song tho... Beautiful ballads.

[FellowWorker1905]

bassandtreb etc..... -you're an idiot.

[JillnRe]

This was my grendeds favorite song before he died, it makes me sad just listening to it because it reminds me so much of him.

I love you grended RIP

[w3mq]

This is a truly beautiful song, and I believe no one else could sing it better. It reminds me of my father and his siblings who felt it was necessary to leave old Durham N.C. before the second world war in hopes of a better life, and to escape the hardships of the Jim crow south. like Roger they never longingly looked back, although He sang about a different Durham town. I see from the comments that many people cherish this song for different reasons.

[LoganBlackP]

I used to hate this song and singer when growing up because my dad played it all the time and it just wasn't "hip"... but i love it now because it brings back such good memories of me waking up to my dad playing this song while he made breakfast. makes me tear up everytime

[josbub]

we had to sing this song at primary school.. we loved it.. we also sang the streets of London.. i thank my teachers for sharing this song with us and also you for posting it.. thank you :)

[bassandtrebleclef]

This is the worst f'ing song I remember as a kid growing up in the 70's. At a time when REO Speedwagon, Styx and other great rock music was being written, I sat in the back seat of a baby excrement colored green beast being bludgeoned with this song while my mom, who thought she could sign, would repeat this piece of crap over and over.

[MrTrashcan1]

@bassandtrebleclef You must be a masochist, first being forced to listen to this when you were a child, and now voluntarily seeking it out to torture yourself again. Please play it over and over. Your suffering makes me so glad I posted the song.

[HORACECOPE2]

@MrTrashcan1 I much prefer this to so called great rock music such as REOspeedwagon, and styx ( and i love rock music ) at least good old Rog could write a decent song.

[frankd1965]

@MrTrashcan1 I grew up listening to this. Its better than the crap they got out there now.

[robinbarryg]

@bassandtrebleclef who in Hades is forcing you to listen to it now? Your taste in music is limited to bands that are has beens...while Roger still tours and has a voice...

[shaunyboy6969uk]

@bassandtrebleclef I FEEL YA BRO....

as a 2 year old i was subjected to such crap.... im like 'WTF' whilst rolling on the floor laughing my arse off

:)

[HowdyDooby]

Yes, this is a great song, with excellent melody and lyrics, never left my head after all these years.

[65ecosse]

I have always loved this song. Innocent and sad. Great vocals by Roger Whittaker. Love the flute in the background. Thanks for posting!

[jay9843]

they played this at my great grandmas funeral. She lived in Durham town. i miss you so much grandma and i miss you. R.I.P :(

[MrTrashcan1]

@jay9843 It's such a beautiful song--I certainly wouldn't mind it being played at my funeral, even though I never lived there.

[jay9843]

@MrTrashcan1 yea it is a beautiful song, im kinda glad it was played at my grandmas funeral, truly a masterpiece.

[tommy1967gjl]

@jay9843 Jay. It's granma. Don't be scared. I just thought I'd use this service to tell you I HATED THIS POXY TRACK! I NEVER LIKED IT! sO JUST LEAVE it! OK!

[jay9843]

@tommy1967gjl lol somebody's on there monthly!

[petertownend]

@jay9843 she was an old bag who was full of old knobends

[alisterfolson]

I listened to him back when "elevator music" was the norm...like him now, though I only know a few of his songs. Memories in the station wagon, Mom and Dad, etc. Now, I have a station wagon, wife and kids, i'm 42 too, wow! And guess what; I'm a Black male!! Yes, true music exceeds all boarders, for sure...dig it!

[MrTrashcan1]

@alisterfolson That's great. Elevator music was always the butt of jokes, but given what is mostly played on radio today, we could really use it again. It would be wonderful to put on at night when going to sleep. And while I have classical on during the day, elevator music would be a nice change.

[GadaffiTheHero]

@alisterfolson

Pardon my ignorance but what is elevator music

[takemeback2]

Classic!

[whyte1988]

dis song iz gangsta yo

[lincsposter]

An outstanding voice! Beautiful singing.

[thomassmith1313]

Durham is were the Pink Panther was born.

[07may1946]

great man he now lives galway ireland

[dods2002]

@07may1946

hey, im from galway. only 35,but my dad used to listen to rodger. now live in belfast away from my dad. miss the old times as a kid.

[manurewa59]

this is one of me dads favourites we lived in seaham county durham in 1966-7 not exactly my taste but has sentimental value

[theirishinc]

Classic

[barbaricsol]

still don't understand why he mentions the river Tyne (apart from lryical reasons) as the Tyne don't go anywhere near Durham...the river Wear does tho



[HORACECOPE2]

@barbaricsol Ive often thought that, i suppose its poetic license, i live five minutes from the tyne and i wouldn't like to walk to Durham from here.

[datoobster75]

A great and wonderful voice - Mr. Roger Whittaker.

[markillingworth1972]

im a true geordie and proud of it. Heard this song on radio2 today. just love it.

[RolandRhodes1]

Most underrated mucisan EVER

[tableand]

did you know that durham town does not sit on the banks of the river tyne? durham city ! is on the river wear!!! doesnt spoil the song though. thankyou for posting

[13421JLUJ]

Thank you for this beautiful music! :)

[Twanjuguna]

Roger Whittaker................his music comes out so effortlessly. I love that in music. And in Kenya, he is a hero...........just in case, someone wants to know!

[MrTrashcan1]

@Twanjuguna More so than Barack Obama? LOL

[Twanjuguna]

@MrTrashcan1 What Obama.....? What song he done? Obama don't come close.....?

[kafanjahnjoroge]

@MrTrashcan1 Maybe true. 

[kafanjahnjoroge]

@MrTrashcan1 Yes, a living legend.

[mikezes]

@Twanjuguna Wonderful you mentioned his roots to Kenya!

[pbaylis1]

@Twanjuguna

Thanks for sharing. It's very interesting to know he is famous in Kenya!

[Twanjuguna]

Roger Whittaker................his music comes out so effortlessly. I love that in music. And in Kenya, he is a hero...........just in case, someone wants to know!

[kbrowneyes]

Just watched this again--the photos of Durham are almost in the realms of pain of loss of someone special,lol!--yup,ok--Grief,th­en!--how mad is that?? If you've never left your home-town in your formative years then you won't have a clue---it truly is heart-ache for as long as you live.,Went back on a brief holiday but to have a whole life away from who you "are" never goes away. Consett  / Shotley Bridge anyone?? xx

of losing

[bigfanization]

@kbrowneyes is Stanley close enough ??

[kbrowneyes]

@bigfanization

OMG---Lol! My Mum was born in Stanley in 1923--and her brother grew up to live and marry in Chester-le Street! Dad was born in Leadgate and I was born at Bridgehill,near Shotley Bridge. Well--how wonderful; amazing what a YouTube video can bring about! Thank you so much for leaving that comment !!--K

[bigfanization]

@kbrowneyes It is a small world after all my mum was also born in Stanley and still lives there I go back to visit as often as I can--- am going in June will say hello to the place for you

[bigfanization]

@kbrowneyes my mum still lives in Stanley i go back as often as I can am going in june will say hello to the old place for you

[kbrowneyes]

@bigfanization

Thank you for that,lol!--and as my birthday occurs in June,that'll be a gift!!

[bigfanization]

@kbrowneyes you have a very good birthday ---- I'm sure I'll have a good visit

[kbrowneyes]

As an ex-County Durham, "Northern Lass"---who has never lost sense of who they are, having being "uprooted" unwillingly in early teens,this song just makes my heart break. With his beautiful,unique voice there are far more wonderful songs by R.Whiittaker to be heard-- I just love everything from the '50s right thru to to modern day--I'm "Gemini",very open to all music.

 This is just one example & as a "Northerner" by birth,it is an anthem for me...as is the Angel Of The North----xxxxx

[MrTrashcan1]

@kbrowneyes You are an angel. Thank you for your lovely comments and for checking out my channel.

[senecaix]

@kbrowneyes

Nice comments and sharing! I think there is something in this song for everyone; we've all felt the loss of leaving a home behind. I've moved state-to-state quite a lot, and remember all the places I've lived with fondness, and miss them all too.

I remember first hearing this when I was young, may ten or so, in this original version, in the U.S., on AM radio. So I'm sure it did get a fair amount of U.S. airplay early on.

[mitchdfla]

I honestly can't figure out how Roger Whittaker could lead to such vulgarities lol...get a life, folks, who are just trying to stir up trouble

[Cool2BCeltic]

Putting it simply, this is a terrible track.

[sparkshmstd]

Wow ! all that over Roger Whittaker !!

[MrTrashcan1]

@sparkshmstd If someone had told me 35 years ago that some day Roger Whittaker's music would cause heated controversy I would have thought he had lost his mind.

[indydaisy1]

@sparkshmstd And your a prick who cares.

[barbaricsol]

i know for musical reasons that "when i was a boy and i,d speand my time sitting on the banks of the river tyne" does rhyme but Durham has the river wear running through it

[yorkie6687]

This music is magic, if you don't like it, then leave us alone, this is our history,

once again, go away Grockle!

[MrTrashcan1]

@yorkie6687 The slimebags who post here just want attention. Their words alone are enough to expose them for the scum they are. The best thing you can do is to ignore them. But thank you for your comments, and for your service. We need our allies in the world and hopefully they'll realize that our current administration is only a temporary ailment and soon we'll be healthy again.

[merchmarine98]

@MrTrashcan1 I agree, if we all just ignore Roger Shittaker, he will just dissapear; much like his career.

Peace -n- Dope !!

[merchmarine98]

@yorkie6687 Hey it's cool with me if you want to swallow cum !

[donna70557]

i love this song. he reminds me of my dad . playing roger songs on my dads record player. makes my cry for my dad . rip 2 years on the 20th jan 2011

[kopman18]

This song evokes some powerful emotions!

[yorkie6687]

My tears are in abundence, I lost my dad on cristmas eve; he made me

what I am now, a soldier, and I am sooooo proud! Love you dad!

[merchmarine97]

ROGER SHITTAKER  !!!!!!!!

[yorkie6687]

@merchmarine97 Fucking scuzlim arsehole!

[merchmarine98]

@yorkie6687 Take it easy TEABAG, we tossed you outta here 200 years ago and with good reason. We'd all be listening to Roger Shittaker if we hadn't !!!

[Vape4life]

amazing voice

[TheTmny876able]

The truth is Roger never went to Durham town (which is a lovely place) he said when he was interviewed.

[soymartasu]

Este tema lo escuche desde muy pequeña y les aseguro que los buenos temas no se olvidan.

[MrRobloxable]

Hes like 82 years old right now when im 40 he'll be dead

[MrShurshot]

@MrRobloxable He's only 74, same as I. Don't kill us oldsters off prematurely

[waterfordjim]

At first I was very bored and restless watching this. Then I masturbated and now I feel MUCH better. Roger Whittaker always comes through for me, literally. :-)

[yorkie6687]

@waterfordjim And your mum and dad were where? Getting pissed in the pub while you

were doing what??? Trying to be a grown up? Sad Bastard, get a fucking life arsehole!!!

You know nothing about life, and with YOUR attitude sonny, you never will! 14/88

[pollywalsh100]

@waterfordjim How old are you? I have a 4 yr.old grandson with more brains. Unfortunately you aren't alone in your childishness. Some idiots obviously have nothing to do but to write vulgar insults about people they have never listened to in their life. How sad you are!

[waterfordjim]

@pollywalsh100...... Eat my D I A R R H E A straight from my butthole, you maggot. :-)

[Palaverer]

His exquisite voice makes me melt. This song, in spite of it's sad message, still makes me want to sway to the tempo---and I do. ;-)

[Cool2BCeltic]

My feelings about Roger Whittaker are along the same lines as Eric Morecambe's about Des O'Connor. This is a terrible track.

[Aschenia]

i saw him once in concert at wolf trap in va, and i fell in love so hard, his voice just seduce you. i hope to see i

him again soon

[1978jabbo]

I put this on and then go on google street maps and visit where we went on holidays in scotland when we were young. I swear my Dad thought he had four gay sons when we'd all sing along to this. I miss my Dad, he was a super man, a true gent. Sweet dreams big fella

[yorkie6687]

@1978jabbo Excellent words my friend!

[stmarysks]

thanks alot for all these beautiful songs Mr. Can

[CrispinRobles]

Awesome. Whittaker's best.

[Sunshinelady65]

Love Roger and his music !!!!

[rberding]

What a voice, what a great gentlemen, nature and animal lover a real white African/Kenyan.

[britmanuk]

im glad i lived through this period og ballad songwrting and ballad singers -- Its a special gift that only a special time can give in history....

[mattyunijat]

i left durham years ago,lol

[philipmah]

I remember hearing this song on a radio request prog that went out every Sunday morning in the late 1960s. Great song and singer - is he still with us?

[aidochris]

@philipmah Yes Roger is still with us and apparently living here in Ireland. A well known Irish comedian was doing a show in a small country town when he stopped his act to say that a guy in the audience was the spitting image of Roger Whittaker.It was him !

[vpmj1902]

I really like this song, but for some reason, I like the French version better.

[MUNEER85]

I love Durham!!

[radiofan121]

1 of my all time faves here an incredible voice such a lovely song this from 1 of the best

[horse000fanatic]

this tune was a bit b4 my time but i love it anyway.xxx

[buntzy2]

I had an ancestor leave Durham in the 1840's. George Robinson and his family crossed the ocean and the continent to live in Utah.

[roberttanning1975]

well its a city now and as been for a whyil

[phylliselias]

Beautiful song and so evocative of watching the Naval ships leaving by the River Tyne (I don't think they could not have got up the Wear as far as Durham anyway). Such a gentle voice it always sounds like velvet it is so smooth.

[awrightpair]

the mans voice is just so soft just fab ... sad that folk music is dead

[frankd1965]

@awrightpair In Tucson, Arizona. KCEE AM 690 and KTUC AM 1400 play this song frequently

[diggerdug38]

there will always be room for this kind of song long live the ballad

[kettlerbillteresa]

Very Beautiful

[hazifantazi]

I've never been to Durham but it looks fantastic. Love this song.

[stripemister]

This gentleman is one of the greatste singers of all time's. I've stated many times that Doo-Wop, is the greatest sounding music of all time. I've become of age, for Roger, and his sound has caught Doo-Wop, and is now even as the greatest sounding music of all time.

[Sladedestiny]

This song brings tears to my eyes because of the memories attached to it.I must have veen about 5 and I remember this playing on the radio often.They were happy times.

[claireUK1988]

my grandad played this 2 me when i was younger. always reminds me of him

[rayc146]

pity he got the wrong river, Durham is on the wear not the tyne.

[leafsfan9917]

@rayc146 creative lisencing I guess, He actually served and is from england so he was probably aware of the geography just changed it so it would work in the song

[worseto]

This song makes you see how stressful life is.We should all try to relax more.

[donna70557]

this songs by roger reminds me of mydad rip  love his songs

[smwca123]

Durham is where Roger, had he been born in England, would have liked to have been born (he was of course born in Kenya). He said it's a working man's town, where men worked hard for their money and made him work hard for his.

[caquintet]

Love the song...love the video..thanks for posting

[donna70557]

love this song. my da play his songs and this reminds me of him x

[brokeNCYDEAntz]

my dad use to play this song for me when i was 2 3 4 5 now i am 12 and i been look for this song forever and i found it yahhh 5*

[girlsdontlikeboys]

im 15 i love this song, reminds me of my grandad

[standaway1]

same

[fiddlebabe]

When I was 12, my dad used to play Roger on Friday nights.

[davesnouffer]

One of the most distinctive and beautiful voices of the past 50 years! Roger Whittaker's music is truly great!

[MrChrisjeffries]

West Pac 1970 USS Chicago CG 11

[752249]

A most wonderful talent - thanks for posting this fine video.

[qwaazga]

I love his voice so much! I wish there were more good baritones out there who sang solo.

[MrTrashcan1]

Sadly the day of the ballad vocalist is long over. That, along with folk music and story songs are a genre never to be duplicated.

[lazerkill010]

@MrTrashcan1 so true makes me terribly sad my father got me interested in this wonderful music

[MrGrayboy]

@MrTrashcan1 Great song! There aren't many like him around anymore.

[yorkie6687]

@MrTrashcan1 Well said Kinsman!

[Fraterculae]

@MrTrashcan1 Nooooooooooo!! I shant let it !!

[xasjodeau]

@qwaazga I assume you listen to Liam Clancy. If you don't, there are many of his songs on YouTube. He's gone now but he left dozens if not hundreds of recordings. Bob Dyland himself called Liam the best, but you probably already know that. ;-> Roger Whittaker has a beautiful voice. The first time I heard The Last Farewell, I was driving down a back road in Southern New Jersey and it just struck me so strongly that I had to stop the car and listen.

[foxtrotmike]

Reminds me of being about 3 or 4 years old washing the dishes in the evening with my mother and father. Great memories!

[stadalberts]

Does anyone have a copy of Gentle on my mind by Roger Whittaker that they can post here on youtube?

[ScaeanGate]

What a pleasant voice. Makes you listen. Like John Denver.

[superiorhabshan]

One of my favourite song

[mikezes]

Great song! Great songwriting! Reminds of my childhood - cutting my grandparents grass in the summer! (RIP) I love the la-la-la chorus at the end! Thanks for posting!

[zaaritha]

He was really good! Is he still alive?

[mrrayjd]

This is actually a later recording, the original from '69 doesn't have that obtrusive drummer. Still good though.

[yargyoyo]

I would add to GoooldKOs comments of "Smooth and rich" - Delivered personally upon a velvet cushion to the listener, seated in the largest and most sumptuous leather armchair installed in the most comfoftable of luxury-lounge environments - mmm, NICE!

[josparkes1]

Lovely, what an awesome voice he has !

[TralfazConstruction]

The comments, the tributes here are gratifying. Roger reigned on Adult FM Radio in the '70s like no one else. Before CDs, iPods and mp3s A season for everything. Thanks Roger.

[ramsesthethird2]

What a voice, what a romantic music, what a diverse man and what a heavenly song...

Roger: now I've gotta see Durham town and watch the city for which you made such a piece for.. I gotta see it even if I am gonna leave it...

I loooooooooove Roger Whittaker he is my icon... his music just gets in my heart directly...

[GoodoldKO]

His voice just bathes you really, doesn't it.Smooth and rich. The first song I ever really liked as a kid- aged 7!

Still love it now.

[ramsesthethird2]

Exactly...it's like bathing.. the tones of his voice are overwhelmingly charming

when I heard him the first time. I felt like I already knew him for years or like I was waiting to hear him. I have never been to UK nor even got my feet outside Egypt. but he made me dream about lots of places and his songs fit exactly in my memories... like I have always known him and heard him for years... He is just wonderful

[Rocketscience1971]

Great song ,great voice - end of story.

[pammyk]

Love this music, have two of his records.

[dhjkhj]

When I was a boy I spent my time, sitting on the banks of the river Wear doesn't rhyme :P

or maybe he went and see the ships in the Tyne with his mum I dunno lol

Great song anyway!

[MrTrashcan1]

LOL Tyne doesn't rhyme either. Comes close. The Tyne wasn't that far away, so maybe yes, he did watch the ships there.

[dhjkhj]

true, no genuine rhyme.

[Kooletz71]

@MrTrashcan1 didnt he grow up in kenya?

[telstar9]

Good job he didnt have to leave Chipping Sodbury .

Hed never have got that to rhyme.

[TralfazConstruction]

Now that is bloody hilarious.

[yargyoyo]

Sometimes you come across a shiny nugget of purest wit - often simple but delivered with pinpoint accuracy and timed to perfection! I was crying with laughter for ages after reading that ! But then, viewers to this level of musical talent performed by such an "All Round Great Bloke!" are going to be just that little bit more versatile when it comes to posting comments on YouTube.

[JuilliardReject]

@telstar9 - I'm dying ......way too funny..

[Domin8them]

LOL

[gwatson678]

@dhjkhj He did get it right... it's called assonance. Def: Assonance is refrain of vowel sounds to create internal rhyming within phrases or sentences, and together with alliteration and consonance serves as one of the building blocks of verse.

[bishopwearmouth]

hi mr trashcan,

the only problem is that between the two rivers ,there is a massive rivalry!

being sporting,and historical.the major citys,sunderland on the wear and newcastle on the tyne have been at loggerheads going back to the civil war!

anyway a bit of homework and the pics would have been sorted.

the fact is durham is a beautiful place unlike newcastle which is a bleak run down industrial backwater.

hpoe this puts the record straight

[bishopwearmouth]

absolutley brilliant song

except the river is the wear!

not the tyne,likewise with the pics!

who screwed up?

[hirdy6]

Great voice, thanks for sharing.

[Ninix23]

He does have a great voice... and I'm going to leave it at that

[GanjaBear666]

reminds me of a great mate that died recently of cancer your sadly missed les and wont be forgotten adam

[Tusindskridt]

How can anyone feel anything but happiness from this? This makes me so happy and at peace that I cry. Thank you for posting this, you have my sincerist gratitude.