Interesting note about this song (according to our infallible friends at Wikipedia):
Whittaker is quoted as saying that "one of the ideas I had was to invite listeners to send their poems or lyrics to me and I would make songs out of them. We got a million replies, and I did one each week for 26 weeks." Ron A. Webster, a silversmith from Birmingham, England, sent Whittaker his poem entitled "The Last Farewell", and this became one of the selections to appear on the radio programme. It was subsequently recorded and featured on Whittaker's 1971 album New World in the Morning (A Special Kind of Man in the US and Canada).
Not a last farewell, please. "The Last Farewell" is a heart-wrenching song. It brings tear to my eyes. When we left harbour we never knew when we would be home. The owners could sell the cargo while the ship was under way. One trip straight home through the straits of Gibraltar; the next on to Fremantle. Let's listen to Roger together, maybe sing the song, but ne Last Farewell until it't time - quite soon? - to cross the bar. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjWTUCDuxFY
ReplyDeleteFar away from your land of endless sunshine
DeleteTo my land full of rainy skies and gales
Texas in July maks me ache for a land of rainy skies and gales. This is hibernation time for me. I'd love to see a land where the summers are sometimes cool enough to need a fire in the fireplace.
Delete"English Seafarers"? Offer me lime juice.
ReplyDeleteLime juice for you then!
ReplyDeleteWith a little gin, please. Actually, I prefer pink gin to gin and lime.
DeleteHey, if we're doing gin, let's not forget the vermouth! - Sprinkled like a seasoning on the gin. ;)
ReplyDelete