Portland Town
Marianne Faithfull · Decca Years 1965-1967 [2007]
I was born in portland town
I was born in portland town
Yes I was, yes I was, yes I was.
I got married in portland town
I got married in portland town
Yes I did, yes I did, yes I did.
I had children, one, two, three
I had children, one, two, three
Yes I did, yes I did, yes I did.
Took my children off to war
Took my children off to war
Yes they did, yes they did, yes they did.
Killed my children one by one
Killed my children one by one
Yes they did, yes they did, yes they did.
No more children in portland town
No more children in portland town
No I won't, no I won't, no I won't.
I was born in portland town
I was born in portland town
Yes I was, yes I was, yes I was.
I was born in portland town
Yes I was, yes I was, yes I was.
I got married in portland town
I got married in portland town
Yes I did, yes I did, yes I did.
I had children, one, two, three
I had children, one, two, three
Yes I did, yes I did, yes I did.
Took my children off to war
Took my children off to war
Yes they did, yes they did, yes they did.
Killed my children one by one
Killed my children one by one
Yes they did, yes they did, yes they did.
No more children in portland town
No more children in portland town
No I won't, no I won't, no I won't.
I was born in portland town
I was born in portland town
Yes I was, yes I was, yes I was.
Portland Town
Recorded in 1966, Marianne Faithfull's "Portland Town" stands as a defining track from her Decca Years 1965-1967 collection. The song captures the raw, confessional energy characteristic of her early solo work, blending folk and pop sensibilities with her distinctive vocal delivery. Released during a pivotal period in her career, the recording reflects the intimate storytelling style that became her hallmark, contrasting with her earlier work in the music industry. As a staple of her discography, the track remains a significant example of mid-1960s British pop, showcasing her ability to convey complex emotions through melody and lyricism without relying on overt theatricality.