The Leaving Of Liverpool polka

Never thought of this as a dance tune (polka) but it was a great song at the sessions back in the sixties (was it Dominic behan who wrote it?) - I know the Dubliners recorded a geat and spirited version of it back in those times.

Yes, me neither. Beth recorded it with Siucra on their first album.

made a great version , too

A dance has been created to this song tune and is found within the English tradition. The tune can never really be described as a Polka but when used for the dance it is played in march tempo. I think it’s a great tune and enjoy playing it immensely.

I like the Gaelic Storm version if you haven’t heard it check it out.

i’ve got a really slow and boring version on some Irish CD i got for 5 bucks at Best Buy…the Gaelic Storm version is much better.

I love this song…makes a great dance tune too doesn’t it?

Farewell to you my own true love, I am going far far away…

Check out the Clancy Brother’s live version of this song. Its a pretty cool intro, and nice banjo work.

Does anyone have or know the chords for this one?

X:96
T:The Leaving of Liverpool
Z:-ed-
R:song
M:4/4
L:1/4
Q:1/2=80
P:VCVC
K:D
P:V “Verse”
V:1
DE|F3A |GF ED|d2 B2 |A2 DE|FA-AA|B2 AF|E4|z|
A AG|F3A |GF ED|d2 B2 |A2 DE|FA AF|E3 D|D4|-Dz ||
V:2
z2|“D”z4|“A”z4|“G”z4 |“D”z4|“D”z4|“G”z4|“A”z4|“A7”z|
z3|“D”z4|“A”z4|“G”z4 |“D”z4|“D”z4|“A”z4|“D”z4|“D”z2||
P:C “Chorus”
V:1
cd|e3c|A2 ce|d2 B2|A2 DE|FA-AA|B2 AF|E4|z |
AAG|F3A |GF ED|d2 B2 |A2 DE|FA AF|E3 D|D4|-Dz ||
V:2
z2|“A”z4|z4|“G”z4|“D”z4|z4|“G”z4|“A”z4|“A7”z|
z3|“D”z4|“A”z4|“G”z4 |“D”z4|“D”z4|“A”z4|“D”z4|“D”z2||

We have played this for years in the pipe band as a 4/4 march. I also play it in sessions up tempo at 120 BPM. Nice catchy tune.

I first heard the song version by the Corries, on an album with Paddie Bell. It’s great and I’d really recommend it. I’ll check out the Dubliners, the Pogues and other versions.