Going Away

I wrote "Going Away" in 1970 and it was a shock and a surprise for me to find it had qualified for the National Song Contest in 1971. At that time I had less that 10 songs under my belt.. It was sung by Red Hurley who was a a rising young star at the time and we had great hopes that he might win and go on to represent Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest.  Unfortunately, in spite of giving a great performance he was beaten into second place. I found the experience for me of being involved with a contest at that level brilliant. 

1971 Irish National Song Contest

Runner up

Winner

My Version

The Eurovision format is limited to three minutes so there was no time for a bridge.  I have written one in the meantime which is included below.
Going Away 
Soon, the waiting will be over.
And when the train is moving off
I won’t see you for a long, long time
It’s not as if I haven’t tried
To put this leaving off
I’ve been trying for a long, long time
 
I’m going far away
God alone knows if I’ll stay
And I’m going in the knowing
I may not be coming home.
I won’t see you for a long, long time
 
I remember days of happiness.
In the distant past.
I remember them along long time
I remember when we thought those days.
Were always going to last
But now there’s only nights when were crying
 
I’m forgetting them today.
Because today I am going away.
And I’m going in the knowing
I may not be coming home.
I will see you for a long, long time

​​And as I’m leaving, I’m believing
That it’s better we should part.
We just can’t keep on hurting each other.
But when were not together.
I will love you with all my heart.
I will love you forever and ever
 
Now you’re trying to persuade me.
That you want me back to stay.
But you’re trying at the wrong, wrong time
It doesn’t mean that I won’t love you.
When I’m far away.
You just trying at the wrong, wrong time.
 
I will always love you so
But it’s better that I go
And I’m going in the knowing
I may not be coming home.
I won’t see you for a long, long time
 

Recorded at Contact Studios, Tallaght. Vocals and guitar Tony Bardon Recording Engineer and Instrumentalist Gerry Horan.  Backing Vocalist Danai Kelleher