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 nineteen forty-four,

I remember Daddy walking out the door.

Mama told me he was going

to war, he was leaving,

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,

Good-bye, son, was all she'd say.

There's no cause for me

to stay, so I'm leaving,

I've got to leave old Durham town,

I've got to leave old Durham town.

I've got to leave old Durham town,