Gerry Marsden wrote this song and it was pretty big hit in the early 1960s. He was the front man for Gerry and the Pacemakers, a Merseybeat band coming up around the same time the Beatles did. In fact, they were the main competition for the mop-topped Liverpudlians there for a while.
George Martin produced Gerry and the Pacemakers, and some say that his addition of light strings on songs such as "Ferry 'Cross the Mersey" was his inspiration to go ahead and broach that idea with his main clients in 1965.
Whether that's true or not, I'll never forget seeing them on TV: The usual outlets, such as Ed Sullivan's show, Shindig, etc. Gerry was a little teddy bear of a guy back then; so non-threatening, and with such a sweet voice. He'd strum his guitar while holding it up around his chin, and I do believe he felt deeply about this song about his home.
Life goes on day after day,
Hearts torn in every way.
So ferry 'cross the Mersey
'Cause this land's the place I love
And here I'll stay.
Remainder of lyrics removed for © compliance.