Parting Glass

You get a pdf of the score, an mp3 of the recording, and rehearsal track mp3s of each of the vocal parts. In the Amidons’ book and CD ‘‘Twenty-five Anthems for Interfaith & Community Choirs‘. Sung here by Zara Bode, Suzannah Park, Gideon Crevoshay and Stefan Amidon. I arranged this classic Irish ballad when a family asked our church choir to find an “Irish drinking song” to sing at the funeral of their recently deceased family member. One of our choristers suggested “Parting Glass”, which turned out to be a fitting and poignant funeral anthem. Here is General Martin Dempsey singing Parting Glass on the occasion of his retiring from his position as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

LYRICS

Parting Glass
traditional from Ireland

Oh, all the money e’re I’ve spent,
I’ve spent it in good company
And of all the wrong that e’re I’ve done
Alas it was to none but me
And all I’ve done for want of wit,
For memory now I can’t recall,
So fill to me the parting glass,
Goodnight and joy be with you all.

Oh all the comrades e’re I’ve had
Are sad that I am going away.
And all the sweethearts that e’re I’ve had
Would wish me one more day to stay.
But since it falls upon my lot
That I should rise and you should not.
Then I’ll gently rise and I’ll softly call,
Goodnight and joy be with you all.