About The Song
Jamaica Farewell was written by Irving Burgie, who performed under the name Lord Burgess, during the mid-1950s. Burgie, an American songwriter with deep ties to Caribbean music, drew from traditional Jamaican mento melodies such as the folk tune known as Iron Bar while crafting entirely new lyrics. The piece captures the spirit of island life through a simple, rhythmic structure that blends storytelling with a gentle calypso sway. Burgie first shared the song with Harry Belafonte, whom he had met in New York folk circles around 1950, helping to shape a wave of Caribbean-inspired recordings that reached American audiences.
Belafonte recorded the track in 1956 for his landmark album Calypso, released on RCA Victor. The version became one of his signature hits, serving as his first major charting single and climbing the Billboard charts in late 1956. It helped propel the entire Calypso album to become the first in history to sell over one million copies in the United States, sparking widespread interest in mento and calypso sounds across the country. Belafonte’s smooth delivery turned the farewell theme into a nostalgic standard, performed frequently in concerts where he often highlighted its Jamaican roots.
Nearly 35 years later, country singer Don Williams brought his own interpretation to the song. Born in 1939 in Floydada, Texas, Williams had built a reputation for his warm baritone and understated ballad style, earning multiple number-one hits on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart throughout the 1970s and 1980s. By 1990, he was still active in the studio, choosing covers and originals that suited his relaxed approach. He included Jamaica Farewell on his album True Love, released by RCA Records on August 7, 1990, and produced alongside Garth Fundis.
The ten-track album True Love runs just over 33 minutes and features a mix of original songs and thoughtful covers. Jamaica Farewell appears as the ninth track, clocking in at two minutes and 52 seconds. Other songs on the record include the singles Back in My Younger Days, the title track True Love, and Lord Have Mercy on a Country Boy. Williams’ version keeps the original melody intact but delivers it with the gentle acoustic feel that defined much of his later work, allowing the reflective lyrics to sit comfortably alongside the album’s country arrangements.
True Love reached number 56 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart in 1990. While the album generated three charting singles, Jamaica Farewell remained an album cut and did not appear on any Billboard singles chart under Williams’ name. The recording fit into the final phase of his RCA period, as he continued performing and recording into the early 1990s before stepping back from the spotlight. Williams passed away in 2017 at the age of 78, leaving behind a catalog that showed his willingness to explore material beyond traditional country themes.
The lyrics describe a traveler’s reluctant departure from Jamaica, mentioning sunny days on the mountaintop, lively nights, and the ship that carries him away. The narrator recalls leaving a girl in Kingston Town, with a heavy heart and thoughts that keep returning to the island. Williams’ straightforward delivery highlights the universal feeling of saying goodbye to a cherished place, turning the mento classic into a quiet country reflection without altering its core message.
Burgie’s composition has traveled far beyond its origins, with Williams’ take standing as one example of how the song moved into different genres while preserving its nostalgic tone. Burgie went on to write other well-known pieces for Belafonte, including Day-O, and contributed to broader Caribbean musical heritage. The enduring appeal of Jamaica Farewell lies in its simple storytelling, which continues to appear in live sets and recordings decades after its creation.
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Lyric
Down the way, where the nights are gay
And the sun shines daily on the mountain top
I took a trip on a sailing ship
But when I reached Jamaica
I made a stop
But I’m, sad to say I’m on my way
Won’t be back for many a day
My heart is down, my head is spinning around
I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town
Sounds of laughter, everywhere
And the dancing girls swing to and fro
I must declare my heart is there
Though I’ve been from Maine to Mexico.
But I’m, sad to say I’m on my way
Won’t be back for many a day
My heart is down, my head is spinning around
I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town.
Down at the market, you can hear
Ladies cry out while on their heads they bear
‘Akey’ rice, salt fish are nice
And the rum is good any time of year
But I’m sad to say I’m on my way
Won’t be back for many a day
My heart is down, my head is spinning around
I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town
Sad to say I’m on my way
Won’t be back for many a day
My heart is down, my head is spinning around
I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town…