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