The Seekers (Rare) - The Leaving of Liverpool, Live Orchestrated version (1967, stereo)

Recorded live with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra at the Myer Music Bowl in front of 200,000 people, this audio was thought lost for 50 years but now this song, along with the 6 others performed at the Bowl are available on CD for the first time - www.noise11.com.... I've used digital extraction to separate the instruments and upmix to stereo to give clearer sound. The thumbnail photo is from the actual performance, but no video is available so I've added clips from The Seekers' 'TV Specials' DVD.
More videos from Judith and The Seekers on the playlists below:
Best of the 60s in stereo: • The Seekers - I'll Nev...
Gospel & Inspirational favourites: • Judith Durham / The Se...
Reunion Performances: • The Seekers - I Am Aus...
Best of - Live 1999-2014: • Best of The Seekers Li...
The Seekers concluded their Golden Jubilee tour in New Zealand in November 2014, and Judith Durham began her farewell tour there in April 2016. Visit www.TheSeekers.... and judithdurham.com for more info and news, or join us on Facebook: / 99634296559
Official Facebook pages:
/ theseekersofficial
/ judithdurhamofficial

[@johnscanlon6977]

Ah Judith's voice & natural brilliance not to be repeated..may the Lady rest in distintion within the Choirs of heaven!..this song "the leaving of Liverpool" holds very special meaning in Ireland..our wonderful neigbouring family across the water.!..John Co.Tipperary Ireland.

[@fredjohnson5465]

Judith's voice was that of an Angel. So beautiful and talented. Australia sadly lost two beloved national treasures in the span of three days. First Judith and then Olivia Newton John. Their music will live on for future generations to love and appreciate.

[@cynthiacharles9384]

Rest in peace Judith From.cynthia Chile south América🤑🕺🕺🍀🎈🕺🎈🎈

[@oliverford7223]

Judith may as well be dead but never forgotten 🥰

[@barryh.4220]

Yep, we mourned them in the UK too ...... Olivia Newton John was born a brit, and we adopted Judith as one!

[@Bobk857]

In the US we adopted both of these wonderful ladies. Their music touched your heart.

[@malcolmsmith1618]

There was an "innocence" about this group that has been lost.Totally enraptured by her voice. All time favourite - for over 50 years.

[@barryh.4220]

I totally agree , they had an innocence, and a sound like no other ... they set out on a journey with few expectations and ended up being catapulted to worldwide fame.

[@mrlaw711]

Yes, indeed. Many things have been lost as humanity transforms to mentally ill robots.

[@stewartfenton7660]

We were all innocent back then Malcom, if we'd only known it.

[@gerrypowell2748]

This generation that produced such talented youngsters may never ever be repeated,RIP.dear Judith❤️

[@ton4347]

Let's get a million views for this special lady

[@stephaniebarr507]

Stupenduous group. Best of the best led by a woman of immense talent and humility, a factor you do not see any more. Its a time to remember.

[@stewartfenton7660]

To be fair Stephanie, Judith wasn't the leader. I like to think it was a democracy, though it appeared to be Athol's band in the first place. I've been catching up with Judith and the Boys for the last two or three months, and have seen your name a lot, you are obviously a massive fan. It's a tragedy that I've recently nudged my two sisters and another old friend, into remembering the Seekers, just in time for Judith to leave us. A unique, unforgettable person and talent.

[@patrickcarlin7042]

The voice of an angel. R.I.P. Judith.

[@barryhossin2000]

Beautiful voice, Beautiful soul!!

[@Dav1Gv]

Wonderful, thanks so much for posting it. I'm 84 and remember the Seekers from thier original records. I liked them then but last year my wife of 60 years got dementia and became very very difficult when we tried to get her to do things which she needed to do. I think, quite seriously, that listening to Judith and guys, particularly The Shores of Avalon and The Far Shore, may have saved my sanity and/or from driving over a cliff. Thanks to you all and RIP Judith.

[@cynthiacharles9384]

Congratulations Bravo.the seekers❤❤❤

[@jennifersanford311]

Absolutely wonderful to hear The Seekers. It's made my week. I so wish we had music like theirs today.

[@larryvermeer6170]

Jeennifer there is some music almost like the seekers but don't hear of them very much here in canada

[@patrickduffy6613]

Can you name any please?

[@larryvermeer6170]

@@patrickduffy6613 name who patrick

[@colindant3410]

This song always makes me cry.

[@apethorner]

This vessel was originally the troopship Oxfordshire, brought my regiment home to Southampton, 1959. My first cruise, Can’t get enough of the Seekers.

[@MrSango123]

saw the Oxfordshire in February 1959 emigrating to Australia she was in Colombo Ceylon yes Judy had a one off beautiful voice

[@Elizabeth-ci9ty]

Live or recorded, they are perfect. No other group is better and no one ever will be. Love you all so much, hope you’re staying safe ❤️

[@jefferyparris1999]

So Beautiful.

[@ianrobert6239]

Wonderful how people sat quietly and actually listened to performers. Unlike today always screeching and screaming

[@barryh.4220]

It's so hard to pick one Seekers song over another , they sing them all so well .... the guys make the melodies bounce, and Judith Durham is an absolute Goddess.

[@stewartfenton7660]

Yes, to every point you make.

[@jeffreytao8677]

This is wonderful -- a beautiful song sung with such grace and sweetness by Judith Durham, backed by a great band.

[@osvaldoschilling9129]

In a comment about one of Judith´s renditions of "Carnival is Over" the writer highlighted the ability of Judith, through a remarkably somber voice intonation of reproducing the sad resignation of a girl minutes away from definitely losing the man she fell in love to, trying not to break down to emotion. One then realizes how correct he is, and that´s the reason why people are so emotional about the "Carnival". Judith made it great. She manages to transfer all that sorrow to the audience, something that only the great can do. In the present rendition of The Leaving of Liverpool we notice the same effect. The sorrow in Judith´s voice is so poignant,so perfectly blended with the slow orchestral pace, male voices harmonies at some stages, and the banjo. This masterful rendition certainly had the grand venue it deserved, before that unrepeatable 200 thousand people crowd in Melbourne

[@blueycarlton]

Osvalo Schilling The 200,000 crowd was at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, named after Sidney Myer a famous retailer, set in the gardens near the centre of Melbourne, The Seekers home city.

[@stewartfenton7660]

Hi Osvaldo, I said I'd take your advice and listen to this immediately, and a few hours later, here I am (it's a busy life, being retired). I've listened to this as well as the recorded version, which I've had on vinyl most of my life. I'd put this concert performance as having the three R's (slightly more ragged, unusual for Judith, though probably as much to do with the recording quality. And nothing wrong with that. Slightly more raw. And slightly more real. Not that you could get much more real, anyway. I love it. Well, I'll tell you, but don't let on. I've got a bunch of songs that I sing myself when no one can hear me. If I'm using a machine, or out driving, for example. The main list hasn't changed much over the years, I sing several Hank Williams songs, Everlys songs, Sonny Til and the Orioles "It's too soon to know", a couple of gospel songs from Jerry Lee Lewis (I'm not a Christian though), I dunno, various things. Roy Orbison. Darlene Love. And at least three from the Seekers. This one, plus Just a Closer Walk with Thee, and The Water is Wide, a knockout vocal from Bruce with Judith and the Boys in the background. Probably been singing them fifty years or so. Just as long as nobody hears how bad I sound.

[@osvaldoschilling9129]

@@stewartfenton7660 Hi. Have you ever attended a live performance of the Seekers?

[@stewartfenton7660]

@@osvaldoschilling9129 no, at the time (in the sixties), well I suppose we thought, if group comes to our town we'll go and see them. But they didn't, and then the Seekers broke up. A year or two after I met my wife, (I was 41 when we met), I'd lost track, and it might have been her who told me about the reunion. I honestly didn't know what to expect, and said I wouldn't want to go (And in fact, truthfully I'd just forgotten how great they were, strange since I'd carried on playing their records through the years. I think I was just in love. I think that's what it was about). She didn't like the idea of me going to see Judith anyway. So now when I see how great the whole band was on that tour, and has been subsequently, I just kick myself. So much more I could say. But you get the picture.

[@michaelhayden725]

It is without doubt the most incredible closing song. Of course it’s their signature song.

[@billgrey]

Her voice just cuts right through your heart! But, of course, without the harmonic undertones of the guys....it wouldn't be the same. Such a full sound!

[@martinklein3785]

Check her out singing “Danny Boy” solo ...

[@bettysmith6627]

Love listening to music makes me happy

[@dennisesplin3285]

Where was the sea shore with Judith singing Eriskay Love Lilt so wonderfully. She looks frozen. Black and white works well. Her range is amazing. Sure a natural performer. Love X

[@irishguy200007]

Keith is funny at 43 second in when he is imitating Judith trying to see over the top of the ship, they obviously had a great chemistry between them.

[@hajoundco]

by the way: "when I return united we will be" is one of the most wonderful lines that ever been composed

[@larryvermeer6170]

What an angel of a voice here to

[@johnking6550]

Thanks Rich...There's always something fascinating about rediscovered material that had been previously considered lost forever.

[@jason83ist]

My Mum and sister left London in 1942 on the Queen Mary. Dad was station in England in the Army Air Corps. He was also stationed in North Africa fighting Rommel. This beautiful song has reminded me about the conversations I had with Mum beffore she died in 1972. Purely beautiful music from this young woman. Thanks for the memories. My other post got lost for some reason.

[@rich963]

I remember replying to your post - not sure what happened to it 🤔

[@mrs.jessiecomposingsongs8592]

Loving this song.

[@kayedavis1032]

Wow, Rich, this is fantastic! I hadn't heard the entire audio clip in the past, and the way you have woven video from the Fairsky (or recreation of it?) into it really shows your skills! Watching the audience's focus made me so jealous of those who witnessed The Seekers' talents even before they had their big break after arriving in London. Those lucky people had just witnessed the beginning of something GREAT. Thanks for all the work you do to make treasures such as this accessible to the world!

[@MandyJMaddison]

I think that this song tears at the heart of anyone who has ever emigrated.

[@andrewwigglesworth3030]

It's not a song about emigration. It's about a merchant sailor working out of the port of Liverpool and looking forward to coming home to Liverpool and his "own true love."

[@MandyJMaddison]

@@andrewwigglesworth3030, Why bother to correct me over the point I made? My comment was made in the light of the fact that this group comes from a country of immigrants, and that the unfortunate first husband of my great great grandmother was transported out of Liverpool. You might KNOW for certain that this was written by a Merchant seaman. However, if it dates from the 1850s, then the destination suggests that he was bound for the Goldfields. Like my great great grandfather James Wilcock who set out from Liverpool in 1851 for the Goldfields of Ballarat, without his wife and children, who joined him five years later. Moreover, I have personal experience of immigration, and I can tell you exactly how it feels to turn your back on one you love, and see the coastline of your beloved country disappear beyond the horizon.

[@iankearns774]

@@andrewwigglesworth3030 It can be whatever you want it to be, consider that Liverpool was the last place in England that many immigrants leaving Britain saw before leaving for a new life in the US, Australia or maybe anywhere. I am 4th generation Australian and I know that my Irish and British ancestors all left Liverpool from the 1850's to the 1890's before coming here so even generations on it still has a piece in my heart from stories passed down the years.

[@iankearns774]

@@MandyJMaddison My Mums side the Haysom's did the same thing in 1854. There was about 20 of them all came out within a few years of each other. Settled in Collingwood, Melbourne while the blokes tried to find their fortune in Ballarat. Pretty common story I think.

[@andrewwigglesworth3030]

@@iankearns774 "It can be whatever you want it to be" ... Then why use words? Words carry meaning. The song here is *not* about emigration, however much you want it to be.

[@sheilaklugman2340]

Loved you all such a great group, and beautiful voices ❤

[@CAMMURPHY250361]

Thank you Judith

[@richardgruning936]

Will always be a fan of the Seekers. She had the voice of.an angel. Miss you alwsys

[@stewartfenton7660]

Judith's voice soaring perhaps more than on the record. Beautiful. Listening the day after the first anniversary of her death.

[@RobertSlinn]

Beautiful, thanks Rich

[@robertgabuna355]

Nostalgic song...

[@1BillHarding]

Magnificent, Rich! Beautifully put together, making for a beautiful audio track and a fascinating video.

[@rich963]

Thank you :-)

[@osvaldoschilling9129]

@@rich963 Hi. Is it possible to send you an email? Please reply to [e-mail] Cheers

[@joewiacek7004]

Thanks Rich. Would love to see the video. One of my favorites.

[@larryvermeer6170]

Good morning my friend rich963 And also the fan's here for judith durham and the seekers We had lost another angel of a voice too here in Canada Gordon Lightfoot too

[@larryvermeer6170]

good morning my friend rich963 thanks for reading my comment here too

[@multicaruana]

Another great addition to the Seekers compilation; to hear this live version is extraordinary as I have it only on one of the old albums , not live. Thank you, Rich.

[@multicaruana]

Thank you!

[@MrSpeakerman]

Love it

[@SaskiaCornell]

Thanks so much Rich

[@outercyberia]

Beautiful💕Thank you 💕🌸

[@osvaldoschilling9129]

Well done, Rich.

[@fredsnot8690]

Dear God, what a voice Judith Durham has. The wailing banshees of today do not come within cooee of her singing.. The rest of the group are not bad either.!

[@danielparker2711]

Our primary school teacher used to sing this to us on acoustic guitar. Magical.

[@scissors656]

greatest folk band ever ! imho

[@crumdoggy]

How many Irish left their families a world behind for Australia? So many one cannot imagine but although they left their homes never to return they helped shape Australian culture in a very positive way.

[@andrewwigglesworth3030]

It's not a song about emigration. It's about a merchant sailor working out of the port of Liverpool and looking forward to coming home to Liverpool and his "own true love."

[@footscorn]

And Liverpudlians, (like myself) and from all over Britain not just Ireland.

[@iangoode7150]

Thanks for this, Rich. I think this version with the orchestral backing is better than the studio version. Too bad there is no video with it.

[@grimTales1]

That was wonderful, thank you :)

[@osvaldoschilling9129]

Rich, congratulations for the 100 k views!

[@ianpipesart71]

Proud to be part of that generation Enjoy

[@avonatossi1659]

tHANKS jUDITH!

[@renatofeitosa8983]

Esse conjunto é simplesmente, maravilhoso.

[@richardgray6313]

Thanks Rich

[@avonatossi1659]

Thanks jUDITH🧠💝!

[@larryvermeer6170]

They really got the children here seating very still while they are singing here too

[@hajoundco]

for me the Seekers are the most underrated band that has ever been - nothing compares to the voice of Judith Durham

[@maddyg3208]

Melancholia was one of their specialties

[@larryvermeer6170]

Can you see everyone is seating still while they are singing this song too

[@GiuseppeBrogna-vt7tw]

dolce nostalgia

[@billdornan4379]

August 2022 ❤️

[@charlesbromberick4247]

wholesome/rich/wonderful

[@phildy6572]

Nice! Again, we'll patiently await enhanced versions of Red Rubber Ball and A World Of Our Own from this concert audio...

[@rich963]

These are being released officially on CD next month 👍🏻

[@kenh3344]

Very nicely song this was t be gaining of some thing biggest if I was a record scout I'd have had em they had very good potential and wow didn't they turn out to be something.. Opel gold... the oprah house the 4xxxx fosters But we got the world best t seekers....

[@larryvermeer6170]

55yrs after leaving liverpool and then you leave us too judith durham

[@haraldfleissner7568]

The fairsky must have been a very happy ship as she carried people all over the world.😀🥳🇿🇦🏠

[@irishguy200007]

Wouldn't you if you were the fairsky having Judith Durham singing on board, in fact you would as a ship rather cocky.

[@Fercough]

RIP.

[@jamesneilsongrahamloveinth1301]

Never really understood why Judith didn't insist on a slightly faster tempo for this lovely song, both on stage and in the studio. At such a slow speed, phrasing and breathing are tough to manage . . .

[@stewartfenton7660]

But she managed.

[@patrickduffy6613]

Shows how incredible she was.

[@larryvermeer6170]

Judith had the children really seatting still while she was singing here to

[@billdornan4379]

❤️🙏🏻🙏🏻🇨🇦

[@larryvermeer6170]

Rich963 you should chat with the fans here too

[@larryvermeer6170]

Rich is their a full concert video of the seekers on the ship too

[@rich963]

Not that I know of - it was a reconstruction for a TV special 👍

[@larryvermeer6170]

@@rich963 okay rich thanks for trying

[@SamTheodore64]

Amazing. I didn't know this song was in the movie. Does the entire movie still exist?

[@rich963]

Apparently only the 4 songs were filmed, but all were recorded for radio.

[@larryvermeer6170]

Rich am wondering if that ship Fair Sky is still in service today

[@larryvermeer6170]

Rich963 is there a full concert video here in KZbin of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra at the Myer Music Bowl in front 200,000 fans too

[@larryvermeer6170]

I cry when i had to leave the neitherland's too

[@rolflechner9001]

So friedvoll dieser Song und auch das Publikum 😔😔😔

[@larryvermeer6170]

Good afternoon my friend rich963 please download Judith Durham singing It's Hard To Leave 1994

[@bob48219]

You had a vid of almost the entire performance, Rich, did they make you take it down?

[@rich963]

Hi Bob, yes unfortunately it was removed with no explanation.

[@bob48219]

@@rich963 That's a shame.

[@rich963]

Hi Bob, I now know the reason for the removal - the 7 songs are due to be released on CD next month 👍

[@bob48219]

@@rich963 I'm all for artists being compensated for their labor, Rich! (Especially the Seekers) Didn't they perform for free at that concert? They were always so generous with their time and talents. It's understandable they need a source of income now that they no longer tour. KZbin used to be such a vast repository of song, though. I kind of miss that.

[@rich963]

​@@bob48219 Yes, the 1967 concert was free - details of the new CD are here - www.noise11.com/news/the-seekers-to-release-rarities-album-20200428

[@larryvermeer6170]

good morning my friend rich963 did you put in your download list here of The seekers singing Keep a dream in your pocket here at all

[@rich963]

Hi Larry, this is the version I've uploaded - live in 2013. Other versions have been uploaded by other people on KZbin, you can find them wit a search. Same goes for the other songs you've asked for. I always include live video if available, but many songs don't have it to add unfortunately. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iKCoZqRsfbmpmqs

[@larryvermeer6170]

@@rich963 good evening my friend rich i like the way download the lovely music of The Seekers too

[@southerneruk]

Durham had a beautiful voice. But this song is not for the seekers as a whole, they sing it way to slow, it's a sea shanty and should be to a faster tempo

[@stevetivey3786]

The only thing I never took to with the Seekers when they went into 'happy-clappy' mode with a song like Kumbaya.They had several semi-religious songs in the repertoire..their equivalent of a drum solo. You put up with it but are relieved when it ends.

[@stewartfenton7660]

Wow, you were asking for it there! But nobody's biting, it seems. Come on Seekers fans, tell him where to get off.

[@stevetivey3786]

@@stewartfenton7660 Sorry you are disappointed with my view. I am a massive fan of the Seekers but not when they were settling for campfire singalongs. They were much more rounded and developed than that.Those type of songs are too pappy and have no strength.

[@stewartfenton7660]

@@stevetivey3786 I see your point. I would guess that in the beginning, these were songs that Judith felt comfortable with, but for me I always loved that tambourine shaking style she had (doesn't specifically apply to Kumbaya, I know). When I first heard the Seekers, I didn't know any of those gospel songs, if they're the ones you mean, and never thought of them as "Singalonga" type of songs, with the audience making a raucous racket and not knowing what music should sound like. And they never were like that. The Christian message, well.... I don't agree with it, but who cares, maybe it's pappy, but it's great music.

[@irishguy200007]

You have to be stirring it?? The one thing about Judith Durham is that the songs are often too short that one has to be hitting the replay button constantly.

[@stevetivey3786]

@@irishguy200007 not at all. Judith was far better than singing Boy Scout songs round a camp fire. Most of these 'new age' religious efforts are as deep as the shallow end of a swimming pool.

[@larryvermeer6170]

You truly is leaving liverpool now

[@larryvermeer6170]

Any fan's here from australia too

[@larryvermeer6170]

Do they still used ship to go to australia like in the 1960's too

[@larryvermeer6170]

good morning my friend rich963 why do they show Judith Durham in a green dress an in the video a differnet dress for

[@rich963]

The photo was taken at the actual performance, but this song wasn't filmed so I added video from a different song.

[@TheForkhandles]

I prefer this to rap, or hip-hop or garage or gangsta or whatever other garbage they pushing at you these days.

[@larryvermeer6170]

When they was leaving liverpool why didn't they come to canada then before going back to australia

[@jamesdolan4042]

Is this an Irish song? Idk.

[@andrewwigglesworth3030]

Of course it's not an Irish song. This version was noted down by the folk song collector (he did sailors songs) Doerflinger in New York, from a retired captain Maitland in the late 1930s. Doerflinger noted a different version from another captain (Patrick Tayleur) in the early 1940s, also in New York. These two instances were the only times that this song was ever collected, and *all* versions are directly from Doerflinger's publications, especially the Maitland version of the song which is now dominant.

[@jamesdolan4042]

@@andrewwigglesworth3030 However, it would seem that the 'Leaving of Liverpool' shanty was derived from the Irish older much more specific 'Leaving of Limerick' circa. 1840s song.

[@andrewwigglesworth3030]

@@jamesdolan4042 No, you just made the "1840s" date up, or someone did it for you. There is no evidence that The Leaving of Liverpool (or Fare thee well) is derived from that song, and certainly none that it came from the 1840s. The leaving Limerick was "discovered" well after Doerflinger collected his two versions of The Leaving of Liverpool/Fare thee well.

[@larryvermeer6170]

If i was still drinking alcohol would protest and have everyone break there records because they only go to UK and New Zealnd for there concerts

[@larryvermeer6170]

this song does say anything but leaving liverpool at all

[@G6JPG]

It is, however, the song's title. And it _does_ get sung - e. g. at 1:14.

[@ralphschon1100]

I love her voice, but here she's not at her best. Lots of unclean notes.

[@rich963]

...but sung with plenty of feeling 👍

[@stewartfenton7660]

@@rich963 if I remember rightly, they were leaving for England again the next day. I'm a home loving boy myself.

[@Luke-yh6nm]

Is this a lullaby, or simply a bunch of Asexual Christians?