The Parting Glass

The Parting Glass

(Traditional)

The Parting Glass is a Scottish and Irish folk song that some say was the most sung song in both Scotland and Ireland until the arrival of Auld Lang Syne. It was recorded in the Skene manuscript, a collection of Scottish airs collected between 1615 and 1635, and a portion of the first verse was also written in a farewell letter in 1615.

Of all the money that ere I had, I’ve spent it in good company,
And of all the harm that ever I’ve done, alas was done to none but me.
And all I’ve done for want of wit, to memory now I cannot recall.
So fill me the parting glass, goodnight and joy be with you all.

Of all the comrades that ere I had, they’re sorry for my going away,
And of all the sweethearts that ere I’ve loved, they would wish me one more day to stay,
But since it falls unto my lot that I should part and you should not,
I’ll gently rise and I’ll softly call, Goodnight and joy be with you all.

A man may drink and not be drunk,
A man may fight and may not be slain
A man may court a pretty girl
And perhaps be welcomed back again.

But since it has so ordered been
For a time to rise, and a time to fall
Come fill to me the Parting glass, goodnight and joy be with you all.