Approximate performance time: 3 min.
Year composed: 2015

premiered by CONCORA (Connecticut Choral Artists)

A traditional Scots-Irish folksong arranged for men’s choir (with women added optionally).  Published in 18th century, The Parting Glass was said to be the most popular parting song before Robert Burns wrote “Auld Lang Syne.”

Text

Of all the money that e’er I had
I spent it in good company
And all the harm I’ve ever done
Alas, ‘twas 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

Of all the comrades that e’er I had
They’re sorry for my going away
Of all the sweethearts that e’er I had
They wish me one more day to stay,
But since it falls into my lot
That I should rise and you should not
I’ll gently rise and softly call
“Good night and joy be to you all”