Fairwell Captain
The Kingston Trio · Other Songs - The Kingston Trio
Chorus:
Farewell to you, captain, the bravest in command.
Goodbye to all the soldiers who didn't give a damn
For we're goin' back to Richmond,
buddy, leavin' here today.
Gonna sell our rifles for a jug and get drunk along the way.
'Twas in Virginia harbor Gen'ral Parker disappeared,
tied sleeping soundly to a tree.
How we wept as we launched him and so cheerfully we
cheered as the gen'ral drifted slowly out to sea.
(Chorus)
At the battle of Manasses,
I had my certain chance to bravely fight the red and white and blue.
I was so blasted brave I stuck branches in my pants
and, yes, I played a tree 'til it was through.
Please don't think that we are cowards.
What a horrible suggestion! It's just that we don't feel that we belong.
Bobby misses his dear mother,
John has acid indigestion and I think I feel a migraine coming on.
(Chorus)
Farewell to you, captain, we're goin' to leave you now
Fairwell Captain
The Kingston Trio's "Fairwell Captain" stands as a quintessential example of their folk revival style, blending traditional acoustic instrumentation with harmonies that defined the genre in the 1960s. Recorded during the height of their popularity, the track captures the group's signature approach to adapting folk material for a broader audience while maintaining authentic roots. The song reflects the era's fascination with maritime themes and storytelling, characteristic of the American folk tradition. As part of their extensive discography, this recording showcases the trio's ability to deliver emotionally resonant performances that bridged the gap between traditional folk and emerging pop sensibilities, cementing their legacy as pioneers of the folk-rock movement.