PH2001
A parting glass
Music: Trad. arr. Peter Hill, Words: Trad. Anon
Voicing: SATB
Performance time approx: 2m 00s
Range S: d – g'' / A: a – a' / T: f# – e' / B: G – g
Price code: B
Complexity:
This a song of love and parting, well known in both Ireland and Scotland, where it appears in manuscripts from the 17th. century onwards (originally under the title Good night and joy be with you all).Traditional uses of the song include at the close of a dancing evening, at wakes, and in celebration and remembrance of friends.
The “performance” is a mix of individual recordings by members of the Belsize Community Choir, London.
Of all the money e'er I had, I spent it in good company,
And all the harm that e'er I've done, alas 'twas done to none but me.
And all I've done, for want of wit, to mem'ry now I shan't recall,
So fill to me the parting glass; goodnight, 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 surely has my heart beguiled.
Her rosy cheeks, and ruby lips, I own she has my heart enthralled,
So fill to me the parting glass; goodnight, and joy be with you all...
Of all the friends that e'er I had, they are sorry for my going away,
And all the sweethearts e'er I loved, they'd wish me one more day to stay.
But since it fell into my lot, that I should part and you should not,
I'll gently rise, and softly call; goodnight, and joy be with you all...
Trad. Irish