Ahead of his ‘Winter in Ireland 2024′ instalment of the Bloomin’ shows, Josh Okeefe has shared a live video of him performing Leaving of Liverpool.
The performance was recorded at Ballycotton in Co. Cork. This popular folk ballad has been covered by many, from the likes of The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem to the late Shane MacGowan. When Josh recorded this, he was thinking of Shane, whom he mentions in the accompanying notes below.
Josh on ‘Leaving of Liverpool
Dying at sea, a fate feared by some and embraced by others, holds a unique allure, symbolizing a surrender to the boundless expanse and an acceptance of the inevitable cycle of life and nature. The sea, unforgiving yet enchanting, becomes both cradle and grave.
In the haunting strains of the ‘Leaving of Liverpool,’ a poignant acknowledgement lingers — the possibility of never seeing loved ones again. This ballad reflects the harsh reality faced by those on perilous journeys, where the sea represents both adventure and separation. It whispers the tales of sailors who sailed into the horizon, never to return to the arms of waiting loved ones, echoing the enduring hope that, somehow, the tides of fate might reunite them.
Singing at this spot in Ballycotton, Co. Cork, Ireland connected me to the maritime history of its waters, cliffs, and lighthouse — a nod to the resilience of a community that has faced the tempest’s wrath. In the embrace of my own voyage, I find myself haunted by goodbyes spoken to people I have never seen again. The word ‘goodbye’ carries a weight, a profound awareness of the uncertainty that surrounds parting. The ‘Leaving of Liverpool’ becomes more than just a song but a vessel for these emotions.
So, as you navigate through these verses, remember the faces left on distant shores, the tears brushed away by salty winds, and the unspoken vows carried by the waves. In this shared contemplation, the ‘Leaving of Liverpool’ becomes a solemn companion on our collective journey of departure and longing.
P.S I am thinking of Shane MacGowan, his wonderful rendition of this song and his friends and family as I write this post.
Josh Okeefe Bloomin’ Winter in Ireland 2024
24 January – Katty Barry’s, Waterford (Low Tickets)
25 January – The Parnell, Rathdrum, Co. Wicklow
26 January – The Cobblestone, Dublin (SOLD OUT)
27 January – The Duncairn, Belfast (Low Tickets)
31 January – An Bodhrán, Cork City, Co. Cork
01 February – Arundel’s by the Pier (KIN), Ahakista, Co. Cork
02 February – Parker’s Pub, Kilflynn, Co. Kerry
03 February – Tigh Uí Mhurchú, Ballyferriter, Co. Kerry
Tickets & RSVP available at www.joshokeefe.com/tour
Bloomin’ is a great debut from Josh, full of enduring songs ranging from the comic to the tragic. The arrangements are as simple as it gets, played in the old style with just picked or strummed acoustic guitar and some harmonica accompanying the strong vocals. It’s a confident approach and certainly the correct one; these tales and commentaries need no more touches to help them soar and it takes a wise and considered hand to leave them be. Nicely played Josh, I’m looking forward to hearing these songs played live to an audience, where surely they will bloom even further.
Glenn Kimpton on Josh’s debut album ‘Bloomin’ Josh Okeefe’