❤My first memory of any song was of this song. Me and my Sister aged 3 and 4 years old grew up in an orphanage in London in the early 1970s and the ladies who worked there used to sing it to the kids when it was on the radio. R.I.P. Thank You
Nostalgic, Beautiful, Sad and very well done. Reminds me of the first time my family and I saw the Caribbean (Grand Cayman), the gentle people and remoteness of the islands. It was 1969 and that has changed now, but it will stay with me for my life.
I understand completely LSUTexasTiger. My dad and mother both loved this song as well. Lost him in 97 and mother just a few months ago. It appears that we had a similar life experience ( a very good one). Thank you HuntinBoots for the post! Thank s from Eastern Canada. God Bless.
Roger is a white Kenyan. I'm a white Tanzanian. This song is so, so sad. Just like he felt sailing away from Kenya, I broke my heart to leave my bush-home, and sail away from Tanzania. I've never forgotten the wonderful watu, the amazing animals, the Swahili language. I'm not a musician, I didn't sing about my experience. I tried to recapture it in writing. And Roger's song inspired me.
This song is only one of thirty records to sell over twelve million copies and it was number 1 in eleven countries. Roger Whittaker got the words from a young apprentice jeweler, put them to music and Kerching!!!!
I want to take-back my other post on another live version of this song. My post simply said 'It doesn't get any better than this.' But I was mistaken. This Chet Atkins dude is smooth as shit (pardon my language). My favorite live version of this song!!
Roger Whittaker & Chet Atkins "The Last Farewell" Edited by HuntinBoots ~ Thank you! "The Last Farewell", lyrics: There's a ship lies rigged and ready in the harbour 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, and I have loved you dearly More dearly than the spoken word can tell For you are beautiful, and 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, and I have loved you dearly More dearly than the spoken word can tell For you are beautiful, and 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, and I have loved you dearly More dearly than the spoken word can tell For you are beautiful, and I have loved you dearly More dearly than the spoken word can tell
@ronackerman3861, I'm only 25 and I fell in love with this song the first time I heard it.... on our local AM radio station! I enjoy listening to it as well! Joe
Quote from Wikipedia, "The opening of "The Last Farewell" features a French horn solo that was arranged by Lawrence on the initial airing of the radio program. Whittaker has stated that he feels much of the song's appeal comes from the classical-sounding nature of this instrumental arrangement at the beginning of the song." No wonder this sounds so familiar, it is the French horn solo rings the bell to me. Isn't this a gospel song? From the lyrics, you may tell.
@dxfreight You're right! I left Tanzania 45 years ago, aged 16, & miss it more than ever. Good thing- with kids grown up & through uni, we can travel, & been to E. Africa twice in the last 5 months. Getting involved building a top-rate school on 50 acres at Bagomoyo, off southern tip of Zanzibar. Education in Tanzania is poor, & hope to make a (small) difference. BTW, we also tried the antipodes - went to live & work in New Zealand for 3 years, but it didn't recapture Africa for us. Jimu
@jimincairns Jambo sana! Ni mzima, asante. Niko Uriah, ko Cornwall. Lakini nina tembeya sana Tanzania na Kenya siku hizi. Na wewe, rafiki yangu, iko wapi? Jimu
tengo entendido que Roger and Chet eran grandes amigos,incluso Chet fue quién produjo (financió) uno de los discos de Roger. Alguién sabe qué pasó con esa amistad?? Oscar Olavarría, from Chile.
I can be a cynical ol' bark at times, I have 4 grandaughters, and I've lived a life. BUT, all I need to hear is the opening couple of bars of this, and I well up uncontrollably. So simple, so hauntingly poignant. By the time it is ended, I have tears streaming down my face. A tale of love found and lost, of leaving and homecomings, of friends and times forever gone. Nuff said.
"The last farewell" comes, any-way the great-you do or not sees it come... Bear also that in mind for truth , you'll feel in accordance to what is really REAL... Hit the road with a talisman ,not blindly... Bernard.
ChubbyBeak- I like Elvis he is an amazing singer who has unbelievable' range and versatility. But as some one who does some Elvis and Some Whittaker I would tell you NO WAY. Certain songs are meant to be done a specific way. Elvis's voice does not always translate well to all songs. I do think he could do this one well BUT unless he can sing it with an English accent he is not in the same league with Rodger on this one. It is a song sung by an English sailer not someone from Tupalo Miss.
Quote from Wikipedia, "The opening of "The Last Farewell" features a French horn solo that was arranged by Lawrence on the initial airing of the radio program. Whittaker has stated that he feels much of the song's appeal comes from the classical-sounding nature of this instrumental arrangement at the beginning of the song." No wonder this sounds so familiar, it is the French horn solo rings the bell to me. Isn't this a gospel song? From the lyrics, you may tell.
@ronackerman3861, I'm only 25 and I fell in love with this song the first time I heard it.... on our local AM radio station! I enjoy listening to it as well! Joe
❤My first memory of any song was of this song. Me and my Sister aged 3 and 4 years old grew up in an orphanage in London in the early 1970s and the ladies who worked there used to sing it to the kids when it was on the radio. R.I.P. Thank You
Possibly the most touching comment I have read for some time. Many thanks :) PS: I bought this when it first came out, now have it on CD...
Ahhhhhhh Roger! Can make a grown man weep with that voice!
His voice just got better and better over the years!
the man has a beautiful voice, I have enjoyed it for many years.
Same. His voice is so beautiful
Maybe one of the best voices of all times and a song to match
Simply wonderful!
I also listened to this when I was little, and my Dad put the vinyl on the turntable. :-) Really takes you back doesn't it!
Two masters at work! superb. thanks for posting.
Great Song ❤
Roger taught me my first three chords on the guitar in Kenya when I was a kid.
Two greats together thanks for posting
Very nice, great to hear this awesome song done live. Rodger is soo smooth and Chet with his easy sounding fills, I like it.
Nostalgic, Beautiful, Sad and very well done. Reminds me of the first time my family and I saw the Caribbean (Grand Cayman), the gentle people and remoteness of the islands. It was 1969 and that has changed now, but it will stay with me for my life.
PERFECTION.
Roger Whittaker is Sublime and So God Blessed Gifted in his Voice and Delivery....He Moves Me Incredibly, Every Time I Listen To Him Sing.
I understand completely LSUTexasTiger. My dad and mother both loved this song as well. Lost him in 97 and mother just a few months ago. It appears that we had a similar life experience ( a very good one). Thank you HuntinBoots for the post! Thank s from Eastern Canada. God Bless.
as always, a BEAUTIFUL song. always makes me cry. Just great!!
To legends x Beautiful
Absolutely beautiful.
Two legends together, coupled with pure poetry!
Roger is a white Kenyan. I'm a white Tanzanian. This song is so, so sad. Just like he felt sailing away from Kenya, I broke my heart to leave my bush-home, and sail away from Tanzania. I've never forgotten the wonderful watu, the amazing animals, the Swahili language. I'm not a musician, I didn't sing about my experience. I tried to recapture it in writing. And Roger's song inspired me.
Great song!
I love this... reminds me of our yesteryear's... and My dad...
@oldrok
My dad also loved Roger's music and me too my dad passed 20 years now but Im 44 and still listen with a smile and a tear.......Rob
This song always reminds me of my grandparents. Love it.xxx
A perfect combination.
My grandma's favorite song. RIP Grandma
Thank you for posting this. It brings back fond memories of my youth.
Roger is a Kenyan...and nobody can whistle like he can!
+jimincairns Nobody!
This song is only one of thirty records to sell over twelve million copies and it was number 1 in eleven countries. Roger Whittaker got the words from a young apprentice jeweler, put them to music and Kerching!!!!
Just great!!
Wonderful! What a voice!
Thank you!
love this version, what a great tune !
Mesmerizing!
My favourite!!! Thanks for posting this song, it´s absolutely beautiful!
So beautiful ❤️
I want to take-back my other post on another live version of this song. My post simply said 'It doesn't get any better than this.' But I was mistaken. This Chet Atkins dude is smooth as shit (pardon my language). My favorite live version of this song!!
I recall when this was a new release. An incredible voice that rivals Gordon Lightfoot and Engelbert!
Roger Whittaker & Chet Atkins "The Last Farewell"
Edited by HuntinBoots ~ Thank you!
"The Last Farewell", lyrics:
There's a ship lies rigged and ready in the harbour
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, and I have loved you dearly
More dearly than the spoken word can tell
For you are beautiful, and 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, and I have loved you dearly
More dearly than the spoken word can tell
For you are beautiful, and 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, and I have loved you dearly
More dearly than the spoken word can tell
For you are beautiful, and I have loved you dearly
More dearly than the spoken word can tell
DoralintVladis everyone gets this wrong writing the lyrics, the last verse is NOT dale .........It’s Dell .......
@@dillondelaney6404 Both spellings are correct.
Great song! (for it's just beautiful)
Beautiful
always loved this song...makes me think im a baby again ha ha
Their guns on fire as we sail into hell....ooooffff what a powerful lyric
This I do like each time that I hear it I get more out of the music
Thank you for the post From Earl in Hunting Beach Ca.
Beautiful rendition.
Roger y Chet, un duo formidable
Thank you for posting this vid. So much to learn with so little time left. Bravo VId.
Both are among my favorite artists.
One of the Finest
amazing...
@ronackerman3861,
I'm only 25 and I fell in love with this song the first time I heard it.... on our local AM radio station! I enjoy listening to it as well!
Joe
R.I.P Grandpa Roger🕊💐🙏🏽😔
Bravo! belle version j'aime l'écouté
Bravo! belle version
Quote from Wikipedia, "The opening of "The Last Farewell" features a French horn solo that was arranged by Lawrence on the initial airing of the radio program. Whittaker has stated that he feels much of the song's appeal comes from the classical-sounding nature of this instrumental arrangement at the beginning of the song." No wonder this sounds so familiar, it is the French horn solo rings the bell to me. Isn't this a gospel song? From the lyrics, you may tell.
@dxfreight You're right! I left Tanzania 45 years ago, aged 16, & miss it more than ever. Good thing- with kids grown up & through uni, we can travel, & been to E. Africa twice in the last 5 months. Getting involved building a top-rate school on 50 acres at Bagomoyo, off southern tip of Zanzibar. Education in Tanzania is poor, & hope to make a (small) difference. BTW, we also tried the antipodes - went to live & work in New Zealand for 3 years, but it didn't recapture Africa for us. Jimu
Rest in Peace Roger 9/23. 87 yo
Smooth Sailing be nice to hear!
@jimincairns Jambo sana! Ni mzima, asante. Niko Uriah, ko Cornwall. Lakini nina tembeya sana Tanzania na Kenya siku hizi. Na wewe, rafiki yangu, iko wapi? Jimu
@speakswahilidammit Jambo, Jimu..Mimi aliishi Cornwall, pia. Mimi nilikuwa kuletwa na Nairobi, Kenya. Sasa mimi kuishi katika Australia. Jim
bravo roger , on t aime beaucoup en france
tengo entendido que Roger and Chet eran grandes amigos,incluso Chet fue quién produjo (financió) uno de los discos de Roger. Alguién sabe qué pasó con esa amistad?? Oscar Olavarría, from Chile.
I have a great friend..cruise ship comedian, who does this song..Mr. Tom Fletcher.
I want To Go 🙏🏼
@speakswahilidammit Jambo, Watu....habari gani?
köstlich
Hey you on the top! Wheres the duet? Looooove Roger
He is accompanied by the Great Chet Atkins
♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
good theme
:-) The singing teddybear.
Hear, hear!
Where May I find Smooth Sailing?
when was this concert? must have been a long time ago- Chet still looks young.
the real king...........
I can be a cynical ol' bark at times, I have 4 grandaughters, and I've lived a life. BUT, all I need to hear is the opening couple of bars of this, and I well up uncontrollably. So simple, so hauntingly poignant. By the time it is ended, I have tears streaming down my face. A tale of love found and lost, of leaving and homecomings, of friends and times forever gone. Nuff said.
Thanks Ger - good choice - xxx
Britain,, USA,, Ireland,, Australia,, Got Talent,, My Arse
Proper talent...when people could actually sing and play an instrument!
When we hear Smooth Sailing
Im as pink as they come, but i got the blues today...
"The last farewell" comes, any-way the great-you do or not sees it come...
Bear also that in mind for truth , you'll feel in accordance to what is really REAL...
Hit the road with a talisman ,not blindly...
Bernard.
wonderful...what year is this?
And kudos to Ralph Amory!
Goodbye
ChubbyBeak- I like Elvis he is an amazing singer who has unbelievable' range and versatility. But as some one who does some Elvis and Some Whittaker I would tell you NO WAY. Certain songs are meant to be done a specific way. Elvis's voice does not always translate well to all songs. I do think he could do this one well BUT unless he can sing it with an English accent he is not in the same league with Rodger on this one. It is a song sung by an English sailer not someone from Tupalo Miss.
Elvis did record The Last Farewell
This is ok .. ELVIS IS KING on this song!!
You were clearly dropped as a child
Quote from Wikipedia, "The opening of "The Last Farewell" features a French horn solo that was arranged by Lawrence on the initial airing of the radio program. Whittaker has stated that he feels much of the song's appeal comes from the classical-sounding nature of this instrumental arrangement at the beginning of the song." No wonder this sounds so familiar, it is the French horn solo rings the bell to me. Isn't this a gospel song? From the lyrics, you may tell.
@ronackerman3861,
I'm only 25 and I fell in love with this song the first time I heard it.... on our local AM radio station! I enjoy listening to it as well!
Joe
good theme