Boston Bill,

The song isn't that old. It was written by Eric Bogle for his mother, Nancy. It is about a promise which was made by his Mother that she wouldn't cry until the train left the station when he emigrated to Australia.

You are right when you say it is a great song. Sometimes it is hard for me to sing, because Bogle captured the emotion of the parting so well. As a man who left home to go to the service, and then roamed a bit, the feeling of leaving my Ma, and my home comes through me like a current when I sing the song. I was surprised when I did a search of the DT and didna find it. Here then, are the lyrics.

LEAVING NANCY
Words & music by Eric Bogle
Time 3/4
verse chords G-Em-Am-C-D-D7-C-G-Em-Am-C-D-D7-G
chorus chords:G-Em-C-Am-D-D7-G

In comes the train and the whole plat-form shakes.
It stops with a shudder and a screaming of brakes.
The parting has come and my weary soul aches
---I'm leaving my Nancy - O.

But you stand there so calmly determindly gay.
And you talk of the weather and events of the day.
but your eyes tell me all that your tongue doesn't say.
Goodbye, my Nancy - O.

chorus:
And come a little closer, put your head upon, my shoulder.
And let me hold you one more time before the whistle blows.

My suitcase is lifted and stowed on the train
And a thousand regrets whirl in my brain
And the ache in my heart is the black sea of pain
I'm leaving my Nancy-O

And you stand there so calm, so lovely to see
But the grip of your hand is an unspoken plea
You're not fooling yourself and you're not fooling me
Goodbye my Nancy-O

Chorus:

For our time has run out and the whistle has blown
And here I must leave you standing alone
We have so little time and now the time is gone
Goodby my Nancy - O.

And as the train starts gently to roll
And as I lean out to wave and to call
I see your first tears trickle and fall
Goodbye my Nancy - O

Repeat Chorus twice