Lyrics and Chords

Parting Glass – a bitter sweet goodbye

The lyrics of The Parting Glass date back at least 400 years to the early 17th century – probably before even that.

The Parting Glass
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The themes of departure from friends and family are often found in Irish songs – emigration having split millions of families over the years.

The Parting Glass captures the sadness of separation but it isn’t a maudlin or depressing song.

The lyrics are positive and life-affirming

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There’s an attractive and positive attitude throughout the lyrics that keeps resurfacing amid the sadness of the departure. This is what gives the song its strength and prevents it from becoming over sentimental or slipping into self-pity.

The Irish were accustomed to farewells. They knew life had to go on and that meant making the most of the situation. The words of The Parting Glass reflect that perfectly.

Parting Glass lyrics and chords

Dm 

Oh of all the money  

F 

e’er I  

C 

had,

 

I  

Dm 

spent it in good com

C 

pany.

 

And of  

Dm 

all the harm I’ve ever  

C 

done,

Dm 

Alas! it  

C 

was to  

Dm 

none but me.

 

And  

F 

all I’ve done for want of wit

 

To  

Gm 

memory now  

F 

I can’t recall,

 

So  

Dm 

fill to me the parting  

C 

glass,

 

Good  

Dm 

night and  

C 

joy be  

Dm 

with you all.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Dm 

Oh, all the comrades ever I  

C 

had,

 

They’re  

Dm 

sorry for my going a

C 

way.

 

And  

Dm 

all the sweethearts ever I  

C 

had,

Dm 

They’d wish  

C 

me one  

Dm 

more day to stay.

 

But  

F 

since it falls unto my lot,

 

That  

Gm 

I should rise  

F 

and you should not.

 

I  

Dm 

gently rise and softly  

C 

call,

 

Good  

Dm 

night and  

C 

joy be  

Dm 

with you all.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Dm 

If I had money e

F 

nough to  

C 

spend

 

And  

Dm 

leisure time to sit a

C 

while,

 

There  

Dm 

is a fair maid  

F 

in this  

C 

town,

 

That

Dm 

sore

C 

ly has my  

Dm 

heart 

 

beguiled.

 

Her  

F 

rosy cheeks and ruby lips,

 

I  

Gm 

own she  

F 

has my heart in  

C 

thrall,

 

So  

Dm 

fill to me the part

F 

ing 

 

 

C 

glass,

 

Good  

Dm 

night and  

C 

joy be  

Dm 

with you all.

The Parting Glass
History of Parting Glass
Videos
Lyrics and Chords
Lyrics and Chords print version