The Parting Glass
Encyclopedia
"The Parting Glass" is an Irish
traditional song
, often sung at the end of a gathering of friends. It was allegedly the most popular song sung in both Scotland
and Ireland
before Robert Burns
wrote "Auld Lang Syne
".
The song should not be confused with the Scottish song of the same name, which is based on Irish folk song, Here's A Health
.
The celebrated Irish folk song collector, Colm O Lochlainn, pointed out that The Parting Glass shares its melody with Sweet Cootehill Town. This is another traditional farewell song, this time involving a man leaving Ireland to go to America.
However, the lyrics are quite different to The Parting Glass. One of the strengths of the Parting Glass is that it is never made clear why the person singing has to leave. He may be leaving the area or the country. It may even be that he fears he does not have long to live. The vagueness leaves each listener free to interpret the song in their own way..
I spent it in good company.
And all the harm I've ever done,
Alas! it was to none but me.
And all I've done for want of wit
To mem'ry now I can't recall
So fill to me the parting glass
Good night and joy be with you all.
Oh, all the comrades e'er I had,
They're sorry for my going away,
And all the sweethearts e'er I had,
They'd wish me one more day to stay,
But since it falls unto my lot,
That I should rise and you should not,
I gently rise and softly call,
Good night and joy be with you all.
If I had money enough to spend,
And leisure time to sit awhile,
There is a fair maid in this town,
That sorely has my heart beguiled.
Her rosy cheeks and ruby lips,
I own she has my heart in thrall,
Then fill to me the parting glass,
Good night and joy be with you all.
in the 1770s, and first appeared in book form in "Scots Songs" by Herd. An early version of the song is sometimes attributed to Sir Alex Boswell. The Irish version is usually considered more suitable for modern listeners. It is also the song that the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem would often sing to finish off their concerts.
The song is doubtless older than its 1770 appearance in broadside, as it was recorded in the Skene Manuscript, a collection of Scottish airs written at various dates between 1615 and 1635. It was known at least as early as 1605, when a portion of the first stanza was written in a farewell letter, as a poem now known as "Armstrong's Goodnight", by one of the Border Reivers
executed that year for the murder in 1600 of Sir John Carmichael, Warden of the Scottish West March.
"Armstrong's Goodnight"
This night is my departing night,
For here no longer must I stay;
There's neither friend no foe of mine
But wishes me away.
What I have done through lack of wit,
I never, never can recall;
I hope you're all my friends as yet;
Good night. And joy be with you all.
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
traditional song
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
, often sung at the end of a gathering of friends. It was allegedly the most popular song sung in both Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
and Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
before Robert Burns
Robert Burns
Robert Burns was a Scottish poet and a lyricist. He is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland, and is celebrated worldwide...
wrote "Auld Lang Syne
Auld Lang Syne
"Auld Lang Syne" is a Scots poem written by Robert Burns in 1788 and set to the tune of a traditional folk song . It is well known in many countries, especially in the English-speaking world; its traditional use being to celebrate the start of the New Year at the stroke of midnight...
".
The song should not be confused with the Scottish song of the same name, which is based on Irish folk song, Here's A Health
Here's A Health
"Here's a Health" is an Irish traditional song. The song is based around the long history of emigration from Ireland. The song has been recorded by many artists, most notably by Irish singer Cara Dillon and Brobdingnagian Bards....
.
The celebrated Irish folk song collector, Colm O Lochlainn, pointed out that The Parting Glass shares its melody with Sweet Cootehill Town. This is another traditional farewell song, this time involving a man leaving Ireland to go to America.
However, the lyrics are quite different to The Parting Glass. One of the strengths of the Parting Glass is that it is never made clear why the person singing has to leave. He may be leaving the area or the country. It may even be that he fears he does not have long to live. The vagueness leaves each listener free to interpret the song in their own way..
Lyrics
Of all the money e'er I had,I spent it in good company.
And all the harm I've ever done,
Alas! it was to none but me.
And all I've done for want of wit
To mem'ry now I can't recall
So fill to me the parting glass
Good night and joy be with you all.
Oh, all the comrades e'er I had,
They're sorry for my going away,
And all the sweethearts e'er I had,
They'd wish me one more day to stay,
But since it falls unto my lot,
That I should rise and you should not,
I gently rise and softly call,
Good night and joy be with you all.
If I had money enough to spend,
And leisure time to sit awhile,
There is a fair maid in this town,
That sorely has my heart beguiled.
Her rosy cheeks and ruby lips,
I own she has my heart in thrall,
Then fill to me the parting glass,
Good night and joy be with you all.
History
The song was printed as a broadsideBroadside (music)
A broadside is a single sheet of cheap paper printed on one side, often with a ballad, rhyme, news and sometimes with woodcut illustrations...
in the 1770s, and first appeared in book form in "Scots Songs" by Herd. An early version of the song is sometimes attributed to Sir Alex Boswell. The Irish version is usually considered more suitable for modern listeners. It is also the song that the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem would often sing to finish off their concerts.
The song is doubtless older than its 1770 appearance in broadside, as it was recorded in the Skene Manuscript, a collection of Scottish airs written at various dates between 1615 and 1635. It was known at least as early as 1605, when a portion of the first stanza was written in a farewell letter, as a poem now known as "Armstrong's Goodnight", by one of the Border Reivers
Border Reivers
Border Reivers were raiders along the Anglo–Scottish border from the late 13th century to the beginning of the 17th century. Their ranks consisted of both Scottish and English families, and they raided the entire border country without regard to their victims' nationality...
executed that year for the murder in 1600 of Sir John Carmichael, Warden of the Scottish West March.
"Armstrong's Goodnight"
This night is my departing night,
For here no longer must I stay;
There's neither friend no foe of mine
But wishes me away.
What I have done through lack of wit,
I never, never can recall;
I hope you're all my friends as yet;
Good night. And joy be with you all.
Notable Recordings
- 1959 - The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem Tradition RecordsTradition RecordsTradition Records was an American record label that existed from 1955 to 1961.The label was founded by Guggenheim heiress Diane Hamilton in 1956. Its first president and director was Patrick "Paddy" Clancy, who was soon to join his brothers and Tommy Makem, as part of the new Irish folk group, The...
Come Fill Your Glass with UsCome Fill Your Glass with UsCome Fill Your Glass with Us - Irish Songs of Drinking & Blackguarding is a collection of traditional Irish drinking songs performed by The Clancy Brothers with often time collaborator Tommy Makem... - 1964 – Bob DylanBob DylanBob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly...
used the melody for "Restless FarewellRestless Farewell"Restless Farewell" is a song by Bob Dylan, released on his 3rd studio album The Times They Are a-Changin in 1964. It is based on the Irish folk song The Parting Glass. In 1995 Dylan performed the song live as part of the Sinatra: 80 Years My Way television special celebrating entertainer Frank...
" from the album The Times They Are A-Changin'The Times They Are a-Changin'The Times They Are a-Changin opens with the title track, one of Dylan's most famous songs. Dylan's friend, Tony Glover, recalls visiting Dylan's apartment in September 1963, where he saw a number of song manuscripts and poems lying on a table. "The Times They Are a-Changin'" had yet to be recorded,...
with new verses of his own, based on the original lyrics - 1979 – Ronnie DrewRonnie DrewJoseph Ronald "Ronnie" Drew was an Irish singer and folk musician who achieved international fame during a fifty-year career recording with The Dubliners. He was born in Dun Laoghaire, County Dublin...
performed the song on The Dubliners' album Together AgainTogether Again (The Dubliners album)Together Again is an album by The Dubliners. Produced by Pete St. John and featuring four of his compositions, this album, released on the CHYME label in 1979, saw Ronnie Drew return to The Dubliners following Jim McCann's departure. This was the last studio album by The Dubliners to feature Luke... - 1981 – Robin WilliamsonRobin WilliamsonRobin Williamson is a Scottish multi-instrumentalist musician, singer, songwriter and storyteller, who first made his name as a founder member of The Incredible String Band.-Career:...
recorded a version for his Songs of Love & Parting album - 1985 – The PoguesThe PoguesThe Pogues are a Celtic punk band, formed in 1982 and fronted by Shane MacGowan. The band reached international prominence in the 1980s and early 1990s. MacGowan left the band in 1991 due to drinking problems but the band continued first with Joe Strummer and then with Spider Stacy on vocals before...
released it as a single. It appeared on their 2004 re-release of Rum, Sodomy, and the LashRum, Sodomy, and the LashRum Sodomy & the Lash is the second studio album by the London-based folk punk band The Pogues, released in 1985.The title is taken from a quotation, often attributed to Winston Churchill: "Don't talk to me about naval tradition... - 1993 – The Voice SquadThe Voice SquadThe Voice Squad are a traditional Irish singing group from Ireland. The members include Gerry Cullen, Phil Callery and Fran McPhail. They have recorded two albums and have toured Ireland, the UK and the US....
closed "Good People All" with an a cappella version. - 1995 – Ronnie BrowneThe CorriesThe Corries were a Scottish folk group that emerged from the Scottish folk revival of the early 1960s. Although the group was a trio in the early days, it was as the partnership of Roy Williamson and Ronnie Browne that it is best known.-Early years:...
sang the song on the album Scottish Love Songs - 1998 – Steeleye SpanSteeleye SpanSteeleye Span are an English folk-rock band, formed in 1969 and remaining active today. Along with Fairport Convention they are amongst the best known acts of the British folk revival, and were among the most commercially successful, thanks to their hit singles "Gaudete" and "All Around My Hat"....
recorded the song on Horkstow Grange - 1998 - Liam O'Maonlai recorded the song in the soundtrack of the movie Waking Ned Devine
- 2002 – Sinéad O'ConnorSinéad O'ConnorSinéad Marie Bernadette O'Connor is an Irish singer-songwriter. She rose to fame in the late 1980s with her debut album The Lion and the Cobra and achieved worldwide success in 1990 with a cover of the song "Nothing Compares 2 U"....
recorded the song on Sean-Nós NuaSean-Nós NuaSean-Nós Nua is the sixth full-length album by Irish singer Sinéad O'Connor. It consists of traditional Irish songs, the title meaning "new old-style".The album sold 225,000 copies worldwide.-Track listing:#"Peggy Gordon" – 5:45... - 2002 – Pierce BrosnanPierce BrosnanPierce Brendan Brosnan, OBE is an Irish actor, film producer and environmentalist. After leaving school at 16, Brosnan began training in commercial illustration, but trained at the Drama Centre in London for three years...
sing the song on the movie called EvelynEvelynEvelyn is both a surname and a given name in the English language. The modern given name is a unisex name, although it is more commonly borne by females. The given name is derived from the surname. The surname is derived from Aveline, a feminine Norman French name, which is a form of Ava... - 2003 - The TossersThe TossersThe Tossers are a six-piece Celtic punk band from Chicago, Illinois. They formed in July 1993. They have toured with Murphy's Law, Streetlight Manifesto, Catch 22, Dropkick Murphys, The Reverend Horton Heat, Flogging Molly, Street Dogs, Clutch, Sick of it All & Mastodon. They opened for The Pogues...
recorded the song as a hidden track on their album PurgatoryPurgatory (album)Purgatory is Chicago Celtic Punk band The Tossers fourth studio album. It was released in 2003 on Thick Records and was their last album with the label.-Track listing:# "With the North Wind/Here We Go Again" – 3:46... - 2004 – The CottarsThe CottarsThe Cottars are a Canadian Celtic musical group originating from Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia- Conception to Feast :From 2000 to March 2006 The Cottars were composed of: Ciarán and Fiona MacGillivray of Albert Bridge, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia and The MacKenzies of Cape Breton. In 2006, big...
featuring John McDermottJohn McDermottJohn McDermott may refer to:*John McDermott , American athlete*John McDermott , former Grimsby Town footballer*John McDermott , former Meath Gaelic footballer*John McDermott , British boxer...
on their 2004 album On Fire - 2004 – The Wailin' JennysThe Wailin' JennysThe Wailin' Jennys are a Juno Award-winning Canadian folk trio from Winnipeg, Manitoba, and New York, and they consist of soprano Ruth Moody, mezzo Nicky Mehta and alto Heather Masse. In previous years, the Jennys have also toured with fiddler and mandolinist Jeremy Penner, who is from Ruth's...
recorded the song on their debut album 40 Days40 Days40 Days is the debut full-length album from Canadian folk trio The Wailin' Jennys. The lineup of the group at the time was Ruth Moody, Nicky Mehta, and Cara Luft... - 2006 – Shaun DaveyShaun Davey- Early years :Shaun Davey was born in Belfast in 1948. He graduated from Trinity College, Dublin in the history of Art in 1971. He then took a master's degree at the Courtauld Institute of Art in London. In the late 1970s, he made his first recording, "Davey and Morris," with Donal Lunny and others...
, soundtrack for film Waking NedWaking NedWaking Ned is a 1998 comedy film by English writer and director Kirk Jones. It stars Ian Bannen, David Kelly and Fionnula Flanagan. Kelly was nominated for a Screen Actors' Guild award for his role as Michael O'Sullivan. The film is set in Ireland but was filmed on location in the Isle of Man...
. Titled "Fill To Me The Parting Glass" - 2007 – Mark SeymourMark SeymourMark Seymour is an Australian musician and vocalist best known for his work as the frontman and songwriter of rock band Hunters & Collectors...
recorded a version on his album Titanic - 2008 – The Holy SeaThe Holy SeaThe Holy Sea is an Australian rock band formed around singer-songwriter Henry F. Skerritt. It formed in Perth in 1999, before relocating to Melbourne in 2004.-The Perth years: 1999-2003:...
released the song on their album A Beginner's Guide to the Sea - 2008 – The High KingsThe High KingsThe High Kings are an Irish ballad group. They were formed on Carick on Suir by Fibarr Clancy and Martin Furey.Brian Dunphy , and Broadway/pop/country singer Darren Holden were later recruited having wowed the world with their own solo careers on broadway in musical reviews, such as Riverdance...
released a version of the song in 2008 - 2009 – Cara DillonCara DillonCara Dillon is an Irish folk singer. In 2001, she launched her career as a solo artist in the UK with the eponymous Cara Dillon album...
released the song on her album Hill of ThievesHill Of ThievesHill of Thieves is the fourth solo album by Irish folk singer Cara Dillon. It is her first full-length release on Charcoal Records, her own record label, formed in 2008. The album was recorded in 2008 and first became available in October 2008 at her live concerts... - 2009 – size2shoesSize2shoessize2shoes is a cross-genre Irish band from Limerick City. The band, who released their début album, size2shoes in December 2008, have been featured on national television and radio in both Ireland and America...
recorded it for their popPop musicPop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
/folkFolk musicFolk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
album titled size2shoesSize2shoes (album)size2shoes is the début music album by Irish band size2shoes. The album was recorded and mixed by Smalltone artist Kieran Lynch , and was recorded at Dromore Studios in County Tipperary in Ireland... - 2009 – The Spooky Men's ChoraleThe Spooky Men's ChoraleThe Spooky Men's Chorale are a group of Australian male singers. Most reside in the Blue Mountains region of New South Wales, but some are from Western Australia. Their repertoire consists largely of songs either written or arranged by their director Stephen Taberner, on topics ranging from power...
close their EP 'De-ep' with a full choir arrangement of the song - 2010 – Luke MacfarlaneLuke MacFarlaneThomas Luke Macfarlane , better known as Luke Macfarlane, is a Canadian actor and musician.-Early life:Macfarlane was born in London, Ontario, Canada. His father, Thomas , was the Director of Student Health Services at the University of Western Ontario, and his mother, Penny, is a mental health...
's fictional character Scotty WandellScotty WandellScott "Scotty" Wandell is a fictional character on the television drama Brothers & Sisters portrayed by Luke Macfarlane.-Background:Scotty Wandell is a gay man who was born and has lived in Oxford, Mississippi until he moved to New York and then later to California to start an independent life...
sings a version of this song during the end of an episode of Brothers & Sisters (2006 TV series) - 2010 - The Swell Season performed the song on their 2010 North American tour.
- 2010 – Loreena McKennittLoreena McKennittLoreena Isabel Irene McKennitt, CM, OM, is a Canadian singer, composer, harpist, accordionist and pianist who writes, records and performs world music with Celtic and Middle Eastern themes. McKennitt is known for her refined, clear soprano vocals...
recorded the song for her The Wind That Shakes the Barley album of traditional Celtic songs. - 2010 - The song was featured on the Australian TV show RakeRakeRake may refer to:* Rake , a horticultural implement, a long-handled tool with tines* Rake or hay rake, a farm implement* Rake or castor angle – various fork offset angles in bicycle and motorcycle geometry...
, where it was sung at the funeral wake of one of the characters, Joe Sandilands. - 2011 – Celtic WomanCeltic WomanCeltic Woman is an all-female musical ensemble conceived and assembled by Sharon Browne and David Downes, a former musical director of the Irish stage show Riverdance...
performed it as their finale for Believe which was filmed for PBS and DVD release. - 2011 - Ed SheeranEd SheeranEdward Christopher "Ed" Sheeran is an English singer-songwriter who is currently signed to Asylum / Atlantic Records. Sheeran broke through commercially in June 2011, when his debut single "The A Team" debuted at number 3 on the UK chart.-Early life:Sheeran was born in Halifax, West Yorkshire to...
included the song as a hidden track at the end of his debut album "+" after his song Give Me Love
External links
- http://www.irishmusicforever.com/parting-glass