Neil Young has posted an unreleased track titled 'Goodbye Christians on the Shore' from his new box set Archives Volume II: 1972–1976.

The beautiful song was recorded in 1972 with the Stray Gators, with most die-hard Young fans not even realising that the track existed until recently.

'Goodbye Christians on the Shore' appears on disc one (Everybody’s Alone 1972-1973), with Young sharing it on YouTube alongside a video.

The Stray Gators are comprised of drummer Kenny Buttery, bassist Tim Drummond, pianist Jack Nitzsche and. guitarist Ben Keith, with the band teaming up with Young just before the launch of the Time Fades Away tour.

The same session yielded 'Come Along and Say You Will' and 'Time Fades Away.'

Those two songs were played live on the tour, but 'Goodbye Christians on the Shore' was placed into the vault for 48 years.

The initial pressing of Neil Young Archives Volume II: 1972–1976 was limited to 3,000 copies; it sold out immediately, leaving many fans frustrated and disappointed that they were unable to grab a copy.

A new edition is coming in 2021, even though Young told fans there would only be one pressing.

“This has been an unfortunate mistake,” he wrote in response to an angry fan earlier this week.

“Reprise did not press enough of these. Many people were disappointed after waiting for years...So I broke my word. You will be getting a certificate of authenticity indicating your set is among the initial 3,000 and the next run will have a slightly modified box graphic to distinguish it from the 3,000.”

The box set isn’t available on any streaming platforms, but it can be heard digitally on the Neil Young Archives website along with the rest of his prolific catalogue.

He hopes to play a live set next year when the vaccine has made venues safe, after playing his last gig in September 2019. He performed barnyard Fireside Sessions in the form of a livestream this year.

“The vaccines are almost here now,” he wrote to a fan earlier this month. “We just have to hunker down and stay safe and well. When the audience can be safe, I will be back.”

Listen to 'Goodbye Christians on the Shore' below: