I've got to leave old Durham town
I've got to leave old Durham town
I've got to leave old Durham town
And the leaving's gonna get me down

Back in 1944
I remember daddy walking out the door
Mama told me he was going to war
He was leaving
Leaving, leaving, leaving, leaving me

Now I've got to leave old Durham town
I've got to leave old Durham town
I've got to leave old Durham town
And the leaving's gonna get me down

When I was a boy, I spent my time
Sitting on the banks of the river Tyne
Watching all the ships going down the line
They were leaving
Leaving, leaving, leaving, leaving me

Now I've got to leave old Durham town
I've got to leave old Durham town
I've got to leave old Durham town
And the leaving's gonna get me down
The last week mama passed away
Goodbye son, was all she'd say
There's no cause for me to stay
So I'm leaving
Leaving, leaving, leaving, leaving free

Now I've got to leave old Durham town
I've got to leave old Durham town
I've got to leave old Durham town
And the leaving's gonna get me

I've got to leave old Durham town
I've got to leave old Durham town
I've got to leave old Durham town
And the leaving's gonna get me down