The Leaving of Liverpool - The Dubliners

The Leaving of Liverpool is a traditional folk song. In this video it is sung by the Dubliners.
Liverpool was once one of the major sea ports in the UK and indeed the world. One of the commonly sung versions of the song was collected from Richard Maitland, a resident of Sailor's Snug Harbor a home for retired seamen on Staten Island. Maitland reputedly learned it while on board the sailing ship General Knox around 1885, nine years before it caught fire while berthed on the East River, New York.
The Davy Crockett, launched 1853 October 18 at the shipyard of Greenman & Co
and referred to in the song, was a well-known clipper ship of the nineteenth century.

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[Joanne Leigh]

I love this tune. Both mum and dad were born in 1923 Liverpool to Irish born Kate Malone and Maggie Murphy. Dad was a Royal Marine throughout WWII (whilst mum got bombed to hell) and my uncle was Master Mariner Jack Allen in the British Merchant Navy, sailing from Liverpool to New Zealand. ..lots of family thoughts when I hear this.

[Chris Winner]

Thank you for your lovely personal comment :-).

[countesswise1]

Great video...you've really captured Olde Liverpool :)

[Chris Winner]

Thank you so much :-)

[snookums01]

my ggggrandfather left Liverpool to come to Australia in the late 1840's. When he came out, he left a wife and 4 children behind so he could seek a better life for them. They came out in the 1850's and thrived. Listening to this song, I understand the gamble he was taking.

[Chris Winner]

Thank you for commenting. Real history of real people.

[scousechick87]

as a born and bred scouser i love this song and i played it for my cousin who now lives in the USA it made us all cry

[Joanne Leigh]

It's an exquisite display of images, and accompanied by dear Ronnie, God rest his soul. The best, thanks for a great video :)

[SirEdomiteSlayerOBE]

I think it's nice The Dubliners revived so many scouse folk classics - should've done Maggie May!

[PiccataMilanese]

The Song I didn´t play for a Girl I didn´t leave for a Travel I didn´t made... lol!

[hangemhigh1968]

Greatest city on the planet........ and my place of birth ;) how blessed i am.

[jimmylad53]

Good to hear Bobby singing!