Roger Whittaker was a Kenyan-born British singer-songwriter known for his warm baritone voice and signature whistling style. He has created songs that often tell personal or emotional stories.
He rose to fame in the 1960s and ’70s with hits like Durham Town, I Don’t Believe in If Anymore, and The Last Farewell.
Over his career, he sold more than 50 million records worldwide and was especially popular in the UK and Germany. Whittaker received numerous gold and platinum awards across Europe and won the Golden Tuning Fork (Goldene Stimmgabel) in Germany for his significant impact on the music industry.
About the Song
The Last Farewell is one of Roger Whittaker’s most beloved and internationally successful songs. The lyrics tell the emotional story of a sailor bidding a final goodbye to his love before setting off on a possibly doomed mission.
With poetic words and a stirring orchestral arrangement, the song captures themes of love, loss, honor, and the sea.
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Release Date | 1971 |
| Album | New World in the Morning |
| Writer | Roger Whittaker, Ron A. Webster |
| Producer | Denis Preston |
Complete Lyrics of The Last Farewell
There’s a ship lies rigged and ready in the harbor
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
And 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 safe home again to England
I shall watch the English mist roll through the dale
For you are beautiful, I have loved you dearly
More dearly than the spoken word can tell
For you are beautiful, I have loved you dearly
More dearly than the spoken word can tell
Similar Songs Like The Last Farewell
If The Last Farewell touched your heart, Roger Whittaker has plenty of other songs that will do the same. His music often blends soft tunes with touching stories, and these songs carry that same peaceful and emotional feeling.
- Mammy Blue: This cover is emotional and heartfelt. Roger’s voice adds a deep feeling of longing, memory, and connection with the past.
- River Lady: Set around river life, this song paints beautiful pictures with its lyrics. It flows slowly, like water, and feels both real and warm.
- Indian Lady: This song stands out with its storytelling style and strong rhythm. Roger blends folk charm with bright imagery from another world.
Similar Artists Like Roger Whittaker
Whether it’s folk, easy listening, or classic vocal music, the following artists share that same comforting sound and storytelling feel that fans of Roger Whittaker will truly enjoy.
- Jim Reeves
Genre: Country / Easy Listening
Top albums: He’ll Have to Go (1960), The Best of Jim Reeves (1964), A Touch of Velvet (1962), Gentleman Jim (1963) - Gordon Lightfoot
Genre: Folk / Soft Rock
Top albums: If You Could Read My Mind (1970), Sundown (1974), Gord’s Gold (1975), Summertime Dream (1976) - John Denver
Genre: Folk / Country Pop
Top albums: Poems, Prayers & Promises (1971), Rocky Mountain High (1972), Back Home Again (1974), Windsong (1975) - Perry Como
Genre: Traditional Pop / Easy Listening
Top albums: Como’s Golden Records (1958), We Get Letters (1957), Perry Como Sings Just for You (1958), The Scene Changes (1965) - Harry Belafonte
Genre: Calypso / Folk
Top albums: Calypso (1956), Belafonte Sings of the Caribbean (1957), Belafonte at Carnegie Hall (1959), Jump Up Calypso (1961)
Frequently Asked Questions
How did The Last Farewell Become a Hit?
Although released in 1971, it became a hit in 1975 after a radio station in Atlanta, Georgia, began playing it, leading to widespread popularity and chart success.
How Successful was The Last Farewell?
The Last Farewell became Roger Whittaker’s biggest-selling single, reaching number one in several countries and selling over 11 million copies worldwide.
Have Other Artists Covered the Last Farewell?
Yes, many artists have covered The Last Farewell, including Elvis Presley.
