The Leaving Of Liverpool sheet music with tin whistle notes
Easy Sheet music and tin / penny whistle notes to The Leaving Of Liverpool. The traditional sea shanty song dates 1880's and recorded by Shane MacGowan and The Pogues, The Dubliners, The Clancy Brothers. Now added is the fiddle sheet music for beginners. The leaving of Liverpool solfege [ Do re mi ] sheet music in the key of D Major now included. There's a youtube video to help you play along with the tune. The easy piano letter notes for right hand are included for recorder and flute players in the key of D. Leaving of Liverpool lyrics and chords is also included on the site for guitar players who are just learning to play.With the amount of Irish groups who recorded this folk song you'd think it was an Irish tune, but as far as I know it comes from England. The sheet music's time signature is 4/4 . There's a PDF file of the score included with chords.
Song meaning.
"The Leaving of Liverpool" is a traditional folk ballad that captures the themes of departure, longing, and homesickness. The song is often associated with sailors and emigration, particularly during the 19th century when many people left their homes in search of a better life or for work. It has been performed by various folk artists, including The Dubliners and The Clancy Brothers, and is popular in both Irish and British folk traditions.
1. Farewell and Departure
2. Emigration and Separation
3. Nostalgia and Longing
4. Universal Themes of Love and Loss
5. Cultural and Historical Context
Summary"The Leaving of Liverpool" is a moving folk ballad that captures the sorrow of departure and the hope of reunion. Rooted in the historical experiences of sailors and emigrants, the song has become a timeless expression of love, longing, and the emotional toll of leaving home. Its poignant lyrics and haunting melody continue to resonate with audiences, making it a beloved piece of the folk music tradition.
"The Leaving of Liverpool" is a traditional folk ballad that captures the themes of departure, longing, and homesickness. The song is often associated with sailors and emigration, particularly during the 19th century when many people left their homes in search of a better life or for work. It has been performed by various folk artists, including The Dubliners and The Clancy Brothers, and is popular in both Irish and British folk traditions.
1. Farewell and Departure
- The song tells the story of a sailor or traveler departing from Liverpool, a significant port city in England, to head to an unspecified destination (often California in some versions). The singer is saying goodbye to their home, friends, and loved ones.
- The chorus, "So fare thee well, my own true love / When I return, united we will be," expresses the deep sorrow and hope that the singer will one day return and be reunited with their beloved.
2. Emigration and Separation
- The song reflects the reality of mass emigration and separation, particularly during the 19th and early 20th centuries when many Irish, Scottish, and English people left their homes for America or other destinations.
- For many emigrants and sailors, leaving home meant an uncertain future and the possibility of never returning, which adds a poignant and bittersweet tone to the song.
3. Nostalgia and Longing
- Like many traditional ballads, "The Leaving of Liverpool" is filled with nostalgia and longing for the singer’s homeland and loved ones. It captures the emotional weight of leaving behind everything familiar and the hope of eventual reunion.
- The imagery of Liverpool, with its maritime history and bustling docks, evokes the rich history of seafaring and migration that shaped the lives of many people from the British Isles.
4. Universal Themes of Love and Loss
- While rooted in a specific time and place, the themes of love, loss, separation, and hope are universal. The song resonates with anyone who has experienced the pain of parting from loved ones or the hope of returning home.
5. Cultural and Historical Context
- Liverpool was a major departure point for many emigrants, especially during the Great Irish Famine (1845-1852) and the height of transatlantic travel. The song reflects the historical experience of those who left Liverpool for distant shores, many of whom carried the hope of a better life or fortune abroad.
Summary"The Leaving of Liverpool" is a moving folk ballad that captures the sorrow of departure and the hope of reunion. Rooted in the historical experiences of sailors and emigrants, the song has become a timeless expression of love, longing, and the emotional toll of leaving home. Its poignant lyrics and haunting melody continue to resonate with audiences, making it a beloved piece of the folk music tradition.
The leaving of Liverpool tin whistle sheet music in D
Below is the list of sheet music and tin whistle songs that are in my ebooks. This is the largest collection of tin whistle songs ever put together.[over 900 songs ] Including folk, pop and trad tunes plus German And French songs along with Christmas Carols.
All of the songs have been made as easy to play as was possible.
The price of the ebooks is €7.50 and will be emailed to you after payment. Please be patient.
All of the songs have been made as easy to play as was possible.
The price of the ebooks is €7.50 and will be emailed to you after payment. Please be patient.
The leaving of Liverpool easy beginner piano notes match the sheet music above.
PDF of the piano sheet music with chords.

leaving-of-liverpool-piano-sheet-music-with-chords.pdf |
More fiddle sheet music tabs here with a pdf ebook of songs and tunes .
Below is another version of the sheet music in the key of C Major [ Not suited to tin whistle but suited to the recorder or flute ]
Below is the full sheet music score for The Leaving Of Liverpool in the key of G Major