Jamaica Farewell (Lord Burgess
Irving Burgie), 1956· Songs Well-Known in America · p.178
Intro: C F G C
CFGC
C F
Down the way where the nights are gay
C G C
and the sun shines daily on the mountain top
C F C G C
I took a trip on a sailing ship and when I reached Jamaica, I made a stop
Chorus:
C F G C
But I'm sad to say, I'm on my way; Won't be back for many a day
C F
My heart is down, my head is turning around
C G C
I had to leave a little girl in Kingston Town
Solo: C F G C
CFGC
C F C G C
Sounds of laughter everywhere and the dancing girls swaying to and fro
C F C G C
I must declare my heart is there though I've been from Maine to Mexico (Chorus)
C F C G C
Down at the market you can hear ladies cry out while on their heads they bear
C F C G C
Ackee, rice, saltfish are nice and the rum is fine any time of year (Chorus)
(Repeat first verse and final chorus)
Outro: C F G C
* Lord Burgess acknowledges that the tune is borrowed from another Jamaican song. Many people,
including Harry Belafonte say the song is older. (From Wikipedia.org)