Unlike many old folk songs, the origins of this forebitter are well recorded. The clipper ship ‘David Crockett was built in 1853 and was captained by John A. Burgess from Somerset from 1860, until he was swept overboard on 25 June 1874. The song lyric depicts Burgess as a tough skipper which was true and probably accounts for why the ship was noted for it’s speedy Atlantic crossings.
Anyway, enough history, now to the song! This version starts with a harmonica solo and my plan was to stick something hauntingly redolent of the times on the front, which would of course require a half decent harmonica virtuoso. I got my people to contact Stevie Wonder’s people, feeling fairly certain that he’d jump at the chance. Nevertheless, herewith, without a half decent harmonica player..
Graham generally sees the funny side of life, which is just as well as he spent 35 years working for the telephone company. He started scuba diving with the British Subaqua Club at the age of 16, rode horses through his 20's, became an obsessive windsurfer in his 30's and had a go at free-diving in his 40's. While all of this was going on he rode a bike to keep fit and get to the pub. In later life, in an effort to stave off dementia he has taken up singing and dancing. You may see short stories about these pursuits, but don't expect to read about any degree of prowess as the experiences he can still remember generally relate to (in order) getting bent, crashing a horse (yes, crashing, not just falling off), Windsurfing stupidly in a storm 10, wreck diving without an aqualung, time-trialling with a hangover, singing out of tune and falling on his arse (dancing).
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One thought on “The Leaving of Liverpool”
Brilliant, I listened to Go to Sea as well. Fabulous. Also like the stories and background.
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Brilliant, I listened to Go to Sea as well. Fabulous. Also like the stories and background.
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