Since this is my last Music Monday of the year, I thought I’d share a traditional year-end song.
Today, many people associate the great song, Auld Lang Syne, with New Year’s Eve.
It is a Scottish song written by Robert Burns in the late 1700s.
But did you know that there is another traditional Irish/Scottish farewell song that seems to predate Auld Lang Syne, and has been covered by The Pogues, Ed Sheeran, and The Clancy Brothers, to name a few?
That song is The Parting Glass.
Here is what Wikipedia has to say:
“The Parting Glass” is a Scottish traditional song, often sung at the end of a gathering of friends. It has also long been sung in Ireland, enjoying considerable popularity to this day and strongly influencing the style in which it is often now sung. It was purportedly the most popular parting song sung in Scotland before Robert Burns wrote “Auld Lang Syne”.
The “parting glass”, or “stirrup cup”, was the final hospitality offered to a departing guest. Once they had mounted, they were presented one final drink to fortify them for their travels. The custom was practiced in several continental countries.
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”.
There were many wonderful versions to choose from, but I have gone with one from the High Kings, an Irish group formed in 2008. Any song with bagpipes gets two thumbs up from me 🙂
I have included the lyrics after the video.
Of all the money that 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 to you all
So fill to me the parting glass
And drink a health whate’er befall,
And gently rise and softly call
Good night and joy be to you all
Of all the comrades 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 to 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.
A man may drink and not be drunk
A man may fight and not be slain
A man may court a pretty girl
And perhaps be welcomed back again
But since it has so ought to be
By a time to rise and a time to fall
Come fill to me the parting glass
Good night and joy be with you all
Good night and joy be with you all
*image from Irish Music Daily
I love this song…
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it is quite touching…
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I like it better than our traditional song, although the lyrics are more difficult to remember. No one can forget the words, “I know a man, his name is Lang, and he has a neon sign, and Mr. Lang is very old, so we call it Old Lang’s Sign.”
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at first I started singing your lyrics to the tune of Mr. Bojangles. I’m surprised an old guy had something as modern as a neon sign…
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Well, both songs do start out similar. Heck, neon signs have been around for a long time. They were invented in 1910, shortly after I was born.
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I guess Old Man Lang was just staying up with the times…
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Yep. Sadly, the day it flickered and burnt out was the day he got sick and died.
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sounds like a Twilight Zone episode…
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It happened on January 1st, too. At the stroke of midnight.
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I wouldn’t have expected anything else…
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I hadn’t heard that one before. It’s a good’un.
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I had not heard it before; it’s kind of sad and uplifting at the same time…
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It is, and the bagpipes were good. I can’t say I’m fond of bagpipes but they worked well in this one.
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I’ll admit that the sound of bagpipes can be a bit irritating at times 🙂
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At times. 🙂
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New to me. Beautifully harmonised.
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it was new to me as well, and there are many beautiful versions…
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If we ever decide to upgrade our favorite song for the New Year, this is my choice. Great song to share, Jim!
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it would be a wonderful replacement…
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oh, i rather like that one!
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👍
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It’s a beautiful song, and there are many lovely versions – not including Ronan Keating! Patty Gurdy has just released an a Capella version, duetting with herself, which is rather nice, but for sheer sense of occasion I don’t think you can beat this: https://youtu.be/1YpOWFbATBc
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that perfromance at Royal Albert Hall was beautiful. I’ll check out Patty’s version later today – thanks for the suggestion.
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It was like a who’s who of contemporary Irish musicians, all the more special for being part of an evening celebrating Irish culture for the State Visit of their President. Patty’s version is beautifully performed but, as she is German, it lacks either a Scottish or Irish feel. It’s still good, though.
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We got to meet the PResident of Ireland a few years ago, since she was the recipient of an honorary degree from Villanova. I was able to bring my Mom and Aunt as well. Since they were born in Ireland, it was quite special for them…
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What a lovely thing for your family! Mary Robinson was well respected here during her time as President.
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We met Mary McAleese back in 2005.
And I just watched the Patty Gurd version – well done. She has a great voice, and I liked the clever duet with herself..
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I wondered, as Robinson was a good deal earlier.
I’m glad you liked that version too. I think she’s very talented.
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indeed she is…
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Or was it the other Mary?
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yes…
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Delightful melody, harmony and lyrics. This song expresses well many thoughts when parting. For me, as far as singing, I’ll leave it to the professionals.
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it is a beautiful farewell song. and I might start singing something like this after a few Guinness… 🙂
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Good strategy!😊
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Great song. I love bagpipes as well!
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the bagpipes add a nice touch to many songs…
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I like that version! Pa plays his fiddle and sings Auld Lang Syne at the end of Little House in the Big Woods. Nice!
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👍
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Wonderful song. And like you I am a sucker for the bagpipes.
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the bagpipes do add a nice touch…
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I’m a fan of the song and love the tradition of sharing a parting glass with a friend (as long as they’re still safe to drive.)
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it is a great tradition – and then have Uber all lined up…
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I wonder if this is the origin of the term one for the road?
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I was wondering the same thing. it seems like it could be…
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Thanks Jim, you always find a way to broaden the range of music in my world. The Scots and Irish enjoy some lasting traditions. I really enjoyed the arrival of the bagpipes.
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I am biased towards Irish music 🙂
but yes, the bagpipes livened things up…
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With this being an Irish song, I must admit I was surprised to witness the arrival of the bagpipes. Happy New Year!
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I think it’s a combo Scottish/Irish song.
Happy New Year to you and your family as well, Richard!
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I loved this… a first for me and the bagpipes were a perfect musical match 🙂 x
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glad you enjoyed it, Carol!
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I truly did. Jim x
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It is quite touching
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glad you enjoyed it…
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