Durham Town

Roger Whittaker

About Durham Town

"Durham Town (The Leavin')" is a song, written and sung by Roger Whittaker, released as a single in 1969. It spent 18 weeks on the UK Singles Chart, peaking at No. 12. In 1976, the song reached No. 8 on Canada's RPM "Pop Music Playlist", while reaching No. 23 on Billboard's Easy Listening chart. Whittaker's original intent, to set the song in Newcastle, had been abandoned in favour of nearby Durham because Whittaker agreed with his producer that "Durham" simply sounded better. While focusing the song on Newcastle, Whittaker had set its second verse "on the banks of the river Tyne", and as Whittaker had little or no familiarity with his chosen locale for the song he retained the verse with its Tyneside setting for the song's finalized version set in Durham. In fact the Tyne flows eastwards through Newcastle but it is the Wear, 20 miles to the south, which flows through Durham. Under its original title "The Leaver", the song first appeared on Whittaker's 1969 album release This is... Roger Whittaker, recorded with producer Denis Preston at Preston's studio in Lansdowne House. When the track - renamed "Durham Town (The Leavin')" - was issued as a single in October 1969, Whittaker would recall: "I just didn't have any faith in that song at all. Far from promoting the single in Britain, I went off to Finland for a cabaret season and television appearances." Whittaker returned to Britain in November to find "Durham Town..." ascending the UK Pop chart towards a No. 12 peak in January 1970: on the Irish Singles Chart "Durham Town..." was afforded a chart peak of No. 17. In Australia the single - titled "The Leavin' (Durham Town)" - attracted enough regional success to chart nationally at No. 80. "Durham Town (The Leavin')" was included on the US release of Whitttaker's 1970 album New World in the Morning whose title cut was coupled with "Durham Town..." to form Whittaker's first US single. Whittaker recorded a French rendering of "Durham Town..." entitled "Mon Pays Bleu (Durham Town)" which was issued in France and also in Canada. The wake of the success Whittaker enjoyed with "The Last Farewell" in the summer of 1975 caused the re-release of "Durham Town..." in the US and Canada, where the track became an Easy Listening hit. "Durham Town..." was also included on the 1975 Whittaker album The Last Farewell & Other Hits. 


Year:
2007
3:13
114 

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[Chorus]
I've got to leave old Durham town,
I've got to leave old Durham town.
I've got to leave old Durham town,
And the leavings gonna get me down.

Back in nineteen forty-four,
I remember Daddy walking out the door.
Mama told me he was going to war, he was leaving,
Leaving, leaving, leaving, leaving me. 

[Chorus]

When I was a boy, I spent my time,
Sitting on the banks of the river Tyne.
Watching all the ships going down the line, they were leaving,
Leaving, leaving, leaving, leaving me.

[Chorus]

The last week Mama passed away,
Good-bye, son, was all she'd say.
There's no cause for me to stay, so I'm leaving,
Leaving, leaving, leaving, leaving free.

[Chorus: x2]

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Roger Whittaker

Roger Whittaker (born 22 March 1936) is an Anglo-Kenyan singer-songwriter and musician. His music can be described as easy listening or perhaps best as ballads. He is best known for his baritone singing voice and trademark whistling ability. American audiences are most familiar with his 1970 hit "New World in the Morning" and his 1975 hit "The Last Farewell," the latter of which is his only single to hit the Billboard Hot 100 (it made the Top 20) and also hit #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart. more »

3 fans

Written by: ROGER WHITTAKER

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


6 facts about this song

Artist Background
"Durham Town" was composed and sung by Kenyan-British artist Roger Whittaker, known for his baritone singing voice and finger-style guitar playing. - Roger Whittaker was born in Nairobi, Kenya on March 22, 1936, but grew up in Skipton, England. - Whittaker is renowned for his vibrant storytelling through songs, often reflected in hits like "Durham Town (The Leavin')."
Song Creation
Roger Whittaker wrote "Durham Town" after visiting the place during his university years. - It was written in 1969 and first released in Roger's album "This is... Roger Whittaker."
Song Performance
The original name of the song is "Durham Town (The Leavin')." - In 1976, the song made it to number 12 in the UK Singles Chart, and in 1973 it reached number 23 in Canada. - The song was also a hit in the US, securing the number 80 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Song Reception & Legacy
"Durham Town" became one of Roger Whittaker's signature pieces, known for its poignant lyrics and compelling narrative. - It is often included in collections of Whittaker's best work, such as Roger Whittaker - The Very Best of (1981) and Roger Whittaker - The Golden Age of Roger Whittaker (1993). - Years after its release, "Durham Town" is still loved by many fans, both young and old.
Song Interpretation
The song portrays nostalgia and a yearning for home, strongly resonating with those who have experienced leaving their hometowns. - It beautifully captures the ambience of Durham Town, and its lyrics depict the industrial town with profound affection.
Miscellaneous Fact
In an interesting crossover of music and sports, "Durham Town" becomes associated with Durham County Cricket Club and is often played during matches.

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