The Parting Glass lyrics

Of all the money that here I spent, I spent it in good company

And of all the harm that here I’ve done, alas was done to none but me

And all I’ve done for want of wit, to memory now I can’t recall

So fill to me the parting glass.

Goodnight and joy be with you all.

Oh, if I had money enough to spend and leisure time to sit awhile

There’s a fair young man in this town that sorely has my heart beguiled

His rosy cheeks and lovely lips, alone he has my heart in thrall

So fill to me the parting glass.

Goodnight and joy be with you all.

Of all the comrades that here I've had, they’re sorry for my going away

And of all the sweethearts that here I had, they wish me one more day to stay

But since it falls unto my lot that I should rise and you should not1

I will gently rise and softly call.

Goodnight and joy be with you all.

1. “for I will rise and you will not” means i will have to get up, and leave, and you have to stay. Because as was in rural Ireland, and still is to an extent, going to a pub is the only socialising. Could be the only facility in the area, so all the people met there. And you could only go everyone once in a week or two, so the parting glass was the last drink before you had to leave.

• Artist:Loreena McKennitt
• Album:The Wind That Shakes the Barley (2010)