The Last Farewell by Roger Whittaker

Album: Greatest Hits (1975)

Charted: 2 19

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Songfacts®:

The words for this romantic ballad of separation were written by Ron Webster, an amateur folk singer and silversmith living in the Solihull area of the Midlands. The inspiration came to him one rainy night when he was returning home from work on the upper deck of a Midland bus with wet and dripping windows. He wished he was somewhere where it was warm, not on a dripping-wet Midland bus. Roger Whittaker was hosting a radio series at the time and he invited his listeners to submit lyrics that he would put to music. Webster sent in "The Last Farewell," which Whittaker liked, and after putting his own music to Webster's words, he recorded it on his 1971 album Special Kind Of Man. Four years later an Atlanta radio station began to play the track after the wife of a programmer heard it on vacation in Canada. It was released as a single in the States, where it became Whittaker's sole Top 40 hit. It went on to become his biggest ever hit, selling over 11 million copies worldwide.
Among numerous cover versions is one by Elvis Presley on his 1976 album From Elvis Presley Boulevard, Memphis, Tennessee.
This was not the only hit song to originate from Whittaker's radio competition. Another amateur songwriter Joan Stanton sent in a lyric "Why," which Whittaker put to music and recorded as a single. It peaked at #47 in the UK in 1971.
Roger Whittaker was a singer-songwriter who was born and raised in Kenya and came to England to attend university there. After graduating in the early 1960s he turned to music and among the other UK hits he recorded were: "Durham Town (The Leavin')" (1969 #12), "I Don't Believe In If Anymore" (1969 #8), "New World In The Morning" (1970 #17), and in a duet with fellow easy-listening singer Des O'Connor "The Skye Boat Song" (1986 #10). Whittaker has won two Ivor Novello Awards for songwriting, in 1971-72 for "Why" and in 1975-76 for the other song that came from his radio competition, "The Last Farewell."

Comments: 23

Brumman from CanadaI'm being pedantic but the bus Ron Webster was riding must have been a Midland Red. LOL
This song is wonderful and so emotional especially for old expat Englishmen.
Tess from United StatesI admire Roger Whittaker’s voice and talent.
Timothy MccartneyWho remembers Roger?
True singer that is very understandable unlike some.
In my travels all of our albums seemed to get wings and travel into other Houses.
And you know the where!
Henry from Oregon UsaAnother, potential, interpretation that would have been more personal to Roger Whitaker, would be Leaving Africa, since he was born and raised there. A long shot for sure.
Me from UsaThe New Christy Minstrels recorded a song with a similar name in 1963! They did not record this song, as was stated by Cool One from Texas.
Paul from UkR Webster wrote the lyrics. R Whittaker, the music.
Only prevented from reaching number 1 in Uk charts due to ( ironically) Sailing by Rod Stewart.
Mememary from Griffin,gaI could listen to Roger Whittaker all day long
Random Commenter from KansasUm….. Truthful Tony, the music was written by Ron Webster. The lyrics were from a silversmith in the Midlands. He may very well have been Marianne’s stepfather.
Cool One from TexasNew Christy Minstrels recorded this song in 1963!
Patrick Longworth from Okanagan Falls, British Columbia, CanadaI love this and many of Roger's other recordings.
Cliff Mckay from Melbourne FJust a beautiful song sung by just the correct atist.
Karen Cramer from Wadsworth, IlOne of those beautiful songs I’ve ever heard
Wendy from Taree Nsw Australia This is vet special song played at my fathers funeral in 1976 then my mother’s in 1999
Johaan (harry) from Colombo Sri LankaReminds me of my naval days, great song the crew loved it, we use to sing it with gusto especially when we had a few drinks on the way back to the UK.
Fantastic memories.
Truthful Tony from UkEr......Marianne, it was written by Ron Webster!
Biffo Bear from BristolBrings back memories of returning to Gatwick in the pouring rain from Cuba back in 1968.
Marianne from MassachusettsMy stepfather Edward Moseley wrote this song and sold the rights to Roger Wittaker.
Christine from Shawano WisconsinThe lyrics to The last Farewell when sung by Elvis Presley literally causes me to cry. There are so many reasons why I do cry when listening as well as watching the oceans video implemented with it. My curtsey to all involved. My gratitude to Mr Whittaker's and Elvis Presley.
Adrian from Johor Bahru, MalaysiaThis song has a similar theme with another oldie from the 1950s,"Rose, Rose I Love You" by Frankie Laine.Both songs were about a Westerner who went to a foreign land and later fell in love with a local woman. Feeling sad about having to return to their home country and having little prospects of meeting up again, they reminisced about the good times they had together.
Bradley from Defuniak Springs, FlP.S. MY Performing Handle was BRAD CLARK just in case some past fans drop by and remember this event in my life.
Bradley from Defuniak Springs, FlI was performing in a resort when a fan from the past introduced me to this new song in 1975. I made a cassette recording from his 8 track tape and performed it the next evening. It became MY "signature" song for over 10 years. I now can no longer sing, years of abuse, took it's tole. I tear up inside each time I hear this song, remembering the good years I had with wonderful fans...My Last farewell.......thank you Roger for this most fullfilling Melody
Lange Winckler from Tampa,Began performing this song in the late 1970's. It has always been a great favorite. Today I can't sing it again - every time I get to the refrain, I break down in tears. Goodbye, Victoria.
Declan from Toronto, Canada, United StatesPaying tribute to a very dear friend

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