Roger Whittaker - Durham Town

In the song Durham Town Roger repeatedly sings the line "I've got to leave old Durham town."

He mentions memories of sitting on the banks of the Tyne, his father going off to war then later his mother's passing, all very maudlin.

But why does he have to leave Durham town? He doesn't say, only that the leaving will get him down. Surely, his memories are all there. What's the point in leaving?

Perhaps someone can post the You Tube video

Re: Roger Whittaker - Durham Town

I will try

Re: Roger Whittaker - Durham Town

It's a nice tune - thanks for posting the video.

Re: Roger Whittaker - Durham Town

I think the gist of it was he had nothing left for him in Durham town so was leaving, but if it got me down like it did him I think I'd have stayed put

Re: Roger Whittaker - Durham Town

I think I would have stayed, but then he wouldn't have written that song. I'd like to hear that tune with completely different lyrics.

#I've gotta take these pills today# or something totally different.

Re: Roger Whittaker - Durham Town

We used to sing a rude version.

Re: Roger Whittaker - Durham Town

Do elaborate

Re: Roger Whittaker - Durham Town

Here you go Dreamy.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durham...(The_Leavin%27)

You have to view the leaving bit in another tab.

Re: Roger Whittaker - Durham Town

Thanks, Sweetie.

So he got the river wrong (Wear/Tyne) unless he walked 20 miles a day as a child. He's butchered his own song. Though Durham does sound nicer than Newcastle.


"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."

Re: Roger Whittaker - Durham Town

Since he was basically a white Kenyan he´d probably have been better singing "I´ve got to leave Nairobi town".