The Parting Glass is a traditional Scottish song often sung at the end of friendly gatherings. The earliest known version was as a broadside in the 1770's. It was re-introduced into the mid twentieth century in recordings and performances by the popular Irish Folk Band - The Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem.
Our featured artist is Liam Clancy with a cover of the song from the album Favourites 1 & 2
Music: Key of D Major in 4/4 time in free time (performers discretion)
Chords: D, F#m, G, A, Bm
The Parting Glass
Song Key is highlighted - Transpose to any other key
D A Bm F#m G A Bm G BmIntro: 4/4 ‖ / / | / / | / / | / ‖
Bm G D A
1. Oh all the mo-ney that e'er I spent
D F#m A
I spent it in good com-pa-ny
Bm G D A
And all the harm that e'er I've done
D F#m Bm
A-las, it was to none but me
D G D G D
2. And all I've done for want of wit
G A D A
To mem-o-ry now I can't re-call
Bm A G A
So fill to me the part-ing glass
Bm F#m Bm G Bm
Good night and joy be with you all
D A Bm F#m G A Bm G BmInstr: ‖ / / | / / | / / | / ‖
Bm G D A
3. Oh all the com-rades that e'er I had
D F#m A
They are sor-ry for my go-ing a-way
Bm G D A
And all the sweet-hearts that e'er I had
D F#m Bm
They would wish me one more day to stay
D G D G D
4. But since it falls un-to my lot
G A D A
That I should rise and you should not
Bm A G A
I'll gen-tly rise and I'll soft-ly call
Bm F#m Bm G Bm
Good night and joy be with you (all)...
Liam sings this song in free time which often referred to as ad-lib (ad libitum) - latin for 'at liberty' whereby the speed and style of play is left up to the discretion of the performer.
Wherever you see a bar with a forward slash e.g., | D / A / | you play D for 2 beats and A for 2 beats. The slash implies you repeat the chord in front of it.
The same applies to | Bm G Bm / | with a slightly different take. Bm for 1 beat, G for 1 beat, Bm for 2 beats.
