We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

The Parting Glass

by Stephen Leigh

supported by
srubin6759
srubin6759 thumbnail
/

about

The one song here that’s not mine… “The Parting Glass” comes from my experience in Ireland, where when you go to a friend or relative’s house to visit, along with food they also offer you whiskey, beer, or other alcoholic libations, and will keep refilling your glass or handing you another drink as soon as you finish one. That could presumably go on all night or until the alcohol renders you unconscious.

In either country, you have to be very firm and say “Nope. Sorry, this has to be my parting glass” or you end up rather inebriated (I did, the first time...). This traditional song is in keeping with that generous hospitality.

However, the song actually has its roots in Scotland (and yes, I have both Irish and Scottish in my ancestry). From Wiikpedia: "A version of the lyrics was known at least as early as 1605 with variations and fragments appearing in various songs down through the centuries. The melody was first collected in 1782."

As I do here, I usually sing the first verse 'a cappella', then kick in with guitar on the second verse. I gotta say, though, that the most haunting rendition I heard of this was when my colleague Kelly Moffett and I took several Creative Writing students over to Ireland in 2019.

We visited a Holy Well in the Burren area, when all of a sudden one of our students (who possesses a lovely voice but whose name, four years on now, I can't recall, alas) started singing "The Parting Glass" unaccompanied, at which point everyone stopped and just listened to her, silent and rapt. Later that day, when we visited a nearby farm, we had her repeat the performance by the farm's lake -- and that's what you see in the photo accompanying this song.

lyrics

The Parting Glass - Scottish/Irish Traditional

Of all the money that e'er I spent
I spent it in good company
And all the harm that I ever did
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 money that I have spent
And leisure time to sit a while
There is a fair maid in this town
Who solely has my heart beguiled
Her rosy cheeks and ruby lips
Alone she has my heart enthralled
So fill to me the parting glass
Good night, and joy be with you all

Of all the friends that e'er I had
They're sorry for my going away
And all the sweethearts that 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

I gently rise and softly call
Good night and joy be with you all

credits

released October 29, 2022
Vocals and instruments by Stephen Leigh. Photo by Steve: Ireland, Country Claire, the Burren, 2019

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Stephen Leigh image

Stephen Leigh Cincinnati, Ohio

I've been playing music since the late 1960's (damn, I'm OLD!) in various groups in and around the Greater Cincinnati area. I'm a vocalist who plays guitar and bass (we'll skip the time I fronted a wedding band as the singer).

Gear: Eastman E10D, Eastman E20D, Eastman E6D-TC Ltd, Roscoe 5-string LG3005 bass, (fretless)

Photo: Guy Allen ... more

contact / help

Contact Stephen Leigh

Streaming and
Download help

Report this track or account

Stephen Leigh recommends:

If you like Stephen Leigh, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Seafood Sam joins the show to discuss his newest album, " Standing On Giant Shoulders".
listen now