The Parting Glass is one of the top ten favourite folk songs in Ireland according to an RTÉ poll.
It’s been popular in Ireland since at least the 18th century, and it’s not hard to see why. The beautifully moving melody is matched by wonderful bitter-sweet lyrics to create a true masterpiece of a song.
As listeners we can’t be sure why the singer is leaving. Does he know the days of his life are numbered, or is he emigrating, or simply needing to move on for some unspecified reason.
Whatever the cause, it’s a beautifully evocative song, painting a picture of a life well lived by a man well liked by everyone he meets, at least that is, according to him. On the whole, we’re happy to take his word for it, perhaps because he’s ready to accept he made mistakes.
The Parting Glass was a popular New Year’s Eve song in both Ireland and Scotland before it was superseded by Auld Lang Syne.
It shares its melody with another old Irish song called Sweet Cootehill Town, which also tells of departure as the singer prepares to leave for America.
The parting glass, or ‘stirrup cup’ which was drunk on horseback, was the final act of hospitality towards a guest as they departed.
The song or at least the lyrics, probably originated in Scotland.
A man called Armstrong, who was a kind of raider-outlaw along the English and Scottish border – was executed in 1605 for the murder of a Scottish noble.
His farewell letter contains lines very similar to the opening verse of the Parting Glass.
Armstrong’s Goodnight
This night is my departing night,
For here I must no longer stay;
There’s neither friend nor foe of mine
That wishes me away.
What I have done through lack of wit,
I never, never can recall;
I hope you’re all my friends as yet;
Good night and joy be with you all.
The similarity to the Parting Glass is quite striking. This suggests that the song may have originated in Scotland or, perhaps more likely, travelled back and forth between the two countries.
It is also possible that Armstrong was quoting from an older version of the song. After all, highwaymen are not renowned for their skill as poets.
We’ll probably never know for sure.
The Parting Glass has been recorded by countless artists across the world, including folk stars like the Dubliners and the Clancy Brothers, modern acts like George Donaldson and Celtic Woman, as well as pop stars like Ed Sheeran and Van Morrison.
It remains a timeless classic.
This is my version, together with some helpful background notes on the video.