Lyr Req: The Last Farewell (Roger Whittaker)

Subject: RE: Req: For you are beautiful and I have loved yo
From: Blackcatter
Date: 17 Apr 05 - 05:16 PM

I know I've always love this song from the 1970s. And to me it is as authentic a "folk" song as any one that is 300 years old.. apparently, the writer hasn't had a lot of other professional success as a song writer and Whittaker was still relatively unknow when wh added the music and recorded it.

I wish I could find out more info on the writer.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: For you are beautiful and I have lov
From: GUEST,Julia
Date: 17 Apr 05 - 11:17 AM

Isn't it interesting how, periodically, a song that has folk roots or sensibilities becomes such a massive hit (Edmund Fitzgerald is another example) Although "purists" may snear at this so-called "fake lore" , I think it is indicative of the timeless appeal of folk music and the real hunger that people have for it. It often leads people to explore more deeply. That can't be bad for those of us who strive to "keep it alive".
Best- Julia

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: For you are beautiful and I have lov
From: Ted from Australia
Date: 17 Apr 05 - 02:41 AM

G>Em means a run down

G F# Em

Regards Ted

Subject: Chords Add: THE LAST FAREWELL (Roger Whittaker)
From: Ted from Australia
Date: 17 Apr 05 - 02:39 AM

I don't know how this cut and paste will come out Buu leave me a message and I'll email the file
THE LAST FAREWELL    
by Roger Whittaker & A. Webster.

                D                A7                D                                        D7                G>Em
There' a ship lies rigged and ready in the harbour, Tomorrow for old England she sails,
                                                        G>Em                                        A7
far away from your land of endless sunshine to my land full of rainy skies and gales;
           D                A7                D                                                D7                                G>Em
and I shall be aboard that ship tomorrow, though my heart is full of tears at this farewell;


                        Em7   A7    F#m7   Bm7        Em7                        A7
        Ch         For you are beautiful, and I have loved you dearly
                                           Em7                A7                                D
                        more dearly than the spoken word can tell;   
                        Em7   A7    F#m7   Bm7        Em7                        A7
                         And you are beautiful, and I have loved you dearly
                                           Em7                A7                                D
                        more dearly than the spoken word can tell;   


                                D                A7                      D                                                D7                     G>Em
V.2.I heard there's a wicked war a-blazing, and the taste of war I know so very well,
                                                            G>Em                                                A7
Even now I see the foreign flag a-raising, their guns on fire as we sail into hell;
           D                                       A7                        D                                        D7                G>Em
I have no fear of death it brings no sorrow, but how bitter will be this. last farewell
Ch

                                        D        A7                    D                                                D7                G>Em
Though death and darkness gather all about me, and my ship be torn apart upon the sea,
                                                                   G>Em
I shall smell again the fragrance of these Islands,and the heaving waves that brough me
                                A7
once to thee;
                            D                               A7                    D                                                            D7
should I return safe home again to England, I shall watch the English mist roll through
the dell; G>Em

Chorus:

Subject: The Last Farewell - Whittaker
From: Blackcatter
Date: 16 Apr 05 - 03:46 PM

By the way, could some nice Joe Clone change the name to this thread and at some point add it to the DT lyrics?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: For you are beautiful and I have lov
From: Blackcatter
Date: 16 Apr 05 - 03:44 PM

Until today I didn't know any of the story behind the song. I still don't much, but now I know for certain that Whittaker didn't write the song, only the music.

From Whittaker's official website:

One of Whittaker's best-loved songs in America is "The Last Farewell." And he enjoys telling the story of how the tune came to be a favorite. Originally recorded in 1971, the lyrics to the song were written by a Birmingham, England, silversmith who entered a contest in which the best lyric or poem sent to Whittaker would be put to music and recorded. Although "The Last Farewell" was not the winner, the song was included on an album, along with the winner "Why" "Suddenly, five years, later, I got the call from Atlanta, Georgia," Whittaker relates. "The wife of a program director had requested the song be played on WSB radio there. She had heard the song while traveling to Canada.

"The Last Farewell" went on to become the most requested song on WSB's playlist and within weeks, it became a massive hit all over the world, reaching the coveted Number One slot in 11 different countries. In the USA, "The Last Farewell" became a Top 20 hit in 1975 and finally selling over 11,000,000 copies worldwide. The song broke down the barriers to success in America for Whittaker and opened up a vast new country for his music to explore.

-------- I assume the "R.A. Webster" is the man's name. Can anyone confirm that?

Pax

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: For you are beautiful and I have lov
From: Amos
Date: 11 Feb 01 - 06:23 PM

Dang, had it all copied in and ready to post, too!

They can also be found here if needed

A

Subject: Lyr Add: THE LAST FAREWELL (Roger Whittaker)
From: Sorcha
Date: 11 Feb 01 - 06:11 PM

Roger it was indeed:

THE LAST FAREWELL
Roger Whittaker
(Words & music by Roger Whittaker - R.A. Webster)

There's a ship lies rigged and ready in the harbor
Tomorrow for old England she sails
Far away from your land of endless sunshine
To my land full of rainy skies and gales
And I shall be aboard that ship tomorrow
Though my heart is full of tears at this farewell

For you are beautiful, I have loved you dearly
More dearly than the spoken word can tell
For you are beautiful, I have loved you dearly
More dearly than the spoken word can tell

I've heard there's a wicked war a-blazing
And the taste of war I know so very well
Even now I see the foreign flag a-raising
Their guns on fire as we sail into hell
I have no fear of death, it brings no sorrow
But how bitter will be this last farewell

For you are beautiful, I have loved you dearly
More dearly than the spoken word can tell
For you are beautiful, I have loved you dearly
More dearly than the spoken word can tell

Though death and darkness gather all about me
My ship be torn apart upon the seas
I shall smell again the fragrance of these islands
And the heaving waves that brought me once to thee
And should I return home safe again to England
I shall watch the English mist roll through the dale

For you are beautiful, I have loved you dearly
More dearly than the spoken word can tell
For you are beautiful, I have loved you dearly
More dearly than the spoken word can tell

from: http://www.summer.com.br/~pfilho/html/lyrics/l/last_farewell.txt

Subject: For you are beautiful and I have loved y
From: GUEST,TexasFletch
Date: 11 Feb 01 - 05:57 PM

Trying to find the lyrics to a song that starts "There's a ship lying in the harbor, tomorrow for old England she sails" Last verse is "For you are beautiful and I have loved you dearly, more dearly than the spoken work can tell". Roger Whitaker sings it I believe.