The Last Farewell – Elvis Presley

Introduction:

Elvis Presley’s “The Last Farewell” is a poignant ballad that resonated with audiences upon its release. Originally written by Roger Whittaker and penned by a listener to his radio show, the song tells the tale of a British soldier bidding farewell to his homeland as he embarks on a journey.

Presley’s rendition of the song, recorded in 1976, captured the essence of the lyrics with his soulful vocals and emotive delivery. The track’s melancholic tone and introspective themes made it a standout among his later works. While the song’s original meaning centered around a soldier’s farewell, Presley’s interpretation imbued it with a sense of personal loss and longing.

“The Last Farewell” became a posthumous hit, reaching the UK charts in 1984. ¹ Its enduring popularity can be attributed to the song’s timeless message of love, loss, and the bittersweet nature of parting. Presley’s heartfelt performance and the song’s evocative lyrics continue to touch the hearts of listeners worldwide.

Video:

Lyrics:

“The Last Farewell”

There’s a ship lies rigged and ready in the harbor
Tomorrow forOld England she sails
Far away from your land of endless sunshine
To my land full of rainy skies and galesAnd I shall be aboard that ship tomorrow
Though my heart is full of tears at this farewell

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

I’ve heard there’s a wicked war a-blazing
And the taste of war I know so very well
Even now I see that 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, 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

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