Origins: Leaving Nancy (Eric Bogle)

Subject: origin of' leaving nancy 'song
From: GUEST,bogle fan
Date: 22 Oct 04 - 04:08 AM

Has any one the reason why eric wrote this greatn song? i was told he wrote it for his mum.

Subject: RE: origin of' leaving nancy 'song
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 22 Oct 04 - 04:26 AM

The story that I've heard is that Eric's dad was a railway worker made redundant by the Beeching cuts. His dad decided to emigrate to Australia as a "Ten Pound Pom" taking Erc with him. His mother was to have followed them out later. As happened in many other cases, in the end she felt unable to break with her life in Scotland and never came out to join them.

Years later Eric saved up the fare to travel back and see his mother. "Leaving Nancy" describes him having to say goodbye to his mum when the visit came to an end, not knowing if he'd ever see her again.

Subject: RE: origin of' leaving nancy 'song
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 22 Oct 04 - 08:19 AM

According to the notes on the DT version of the song, I got the above rather wrong.

BACKGROUND. This song was written for my mother after she had come
to say goodbye at the Railway Station when I emigrated to Australia.
She was only allowed to come to see me off on the condition that no
tears were shed. And she was very good, she almost kept her promise,
but broke down just as the train was pulling out of the station.

Subject: RE: origin of' leaving nancy 'song
From: GUEST,old git
Date: 22 Oct 04 - 08:36 AM

when he introduces it live he says the above plus that it was the first song he wrote when he got to Oz

Subject: RE: origin of' leaving nancy 'song
From: late 'n short 2
Date: 22 Oct 04 - 03:03 PM

I've heard Eric give the explanation that agrees with the DT quote. The first posting above might appear to provide a better "story" but given that Eric was an adult when he left Scotland, it just doesn't jive with anything Eric has ever said about the song's origins.

All this aside, it is a great song. Whenever I sing it, I always give the background but also tell the audience that while Eric's talking about his Mom, it has real meaning for anyone who's ever had to leave--or been left by---someone they love.

Subject: RE: origin of' leaving nancy 'song
From: Wolfgang
Date: 23 Oct 04 - 06:56 AM

The notes in the DT that Dave cites are verbatim taken from Eric's own notes to this song on the LP 'Live in Person' which may be the first LP he ever made.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: origin of' leaving nancy 'song
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 23 Oct 04 - 08:09 AM

And the "Belle of Broughton" was written for his Granny.
TB

Subject: RE: origin of' leaving nancy 'song
From: breezy
Date: 23 Oct 04 - 08:25 AM

'Leavin Nancy' appeared/s on 'Now I'm easy' along with his 2 classic
songs

I believe this to be his 2nd album as his earlier song 'For king and for Country' features on his 1st

didnt realise I have so many of his on vinyl

Subject: RE: origin of' leaving nancy 'song
From: Joybell
Date: 23 Oct 04 - 05:58 PM

I saw and heard Eric Bogle at a small folk festival soon after he arrived here. He sang this song and told us the story pretty much as it's given from his LP notes. (It was before he made the LP). I remember that we all cried with him over this song. It was new and fresh and came directly from his own experience. And it showed, I think. It affected us more than his (now) more well known "The Band Played Waltzing Matilda". Joy

Subject: RE: Origins: Leaving Nancy (Eric Bogle)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 14 Oct 24 - 05:05 PM

Joe -= consolidate

Subject: RE: Origins: Leaving Nancy (Eric Bogle)
From: Hrothgar
Date: 15 Oct 24 - 07:39 AM

I saw and heard Eric sing this in Brisbane not long after his mother died. It was heart-wrenching.