I've gotta leave ol' Durham town. I've gotta leave ol' Durham town. I've gotta leave ol' Durham town and that leavin'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. Leavin', leavin', leavin', leavin' me.

Now I've gotta leave ol' Durham town, I've gotta leave ol Durham town. I've gotta leave ol' Durham town and that leavin's gonna get me down.

When I was a boy, I spent my time sitting on the banks of the River Thyme. Watching all the ships going down the line. They were leavin'...leavin', leavin', leavin', leavin' me..

Now I've gotta leave ol' Durham town. I've gotta leave ol' Durham town. I've gotta leave ol' Durham town and that leavin's gonna get me down.

Last week Mama passed away. "Goodbye, son." is all she'd say. "There's no call for me to stay, so I'm leavin'...leavin', leavin', leavin', leavin' free."

Now I've gotta leave ol' Durham town. I've gotta leave ol' Durham town. I've gotta leave ol' Durham town and that leavin's gonna get me....I've gotta leave ol' Durham town. I've gotta leave ol' Durham town. I've gotta leave ol' Durham town and that leaving' gonna get me...La la la la la la la la...la la la la la la la la, la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la