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Sometimes confused with [Health to the Company] this traditional song has been performed by numerous folk singers, but popularized most handily by the Clancy Brothers during the Irish folk music revival of the 1960s. It is often mis-attributed as a folk song of Irish origin, however, its history traces back as far 17th century Scotland.

The Longest Johns performed this song in a number of livestreams.

Factoid

The song dates to the early 19th century, but the earliest textual reference is contained within the Bodleian Collection collected in 1850 and credits its origin as Dublin in the early 1800s. However, the true origin of the song lies in a tune that does not share its name, collected by Bruce Olson in Scarce Songs vol. 2 under the name "Goodnight and God Be With You All" dating the piece to Scotland in 1770.

Yet still earlier lies the core from which these songs were all derived: The Last Guid Night, dating to 1620 and reprinted in 1703 in a booklet titled Word on the Street.

A comprehensive and well-researched history of the origin of The Parting Glass can be found here.

Lyrics

These lyrics are based on the version performed by the Longest Johns on Between Wind and Water. The original lyrics can be found here.

Of all the money that e'er I had
I spent it in good company
And all the harm that e'er I've done
Alas, it was to none but me
And all I've done for want of wit
To memory now I can't recall

{Refrain}
So fill to me the parting glass
Good night, and joy be with you all

If I had money enough to spend
And leisure time to sit awhile
There is a fair maid in this town
That surely has my heart beguiled
Her rosey cheeks and ruby lips
I own she has my heart in thrall

{Refrain}

Of all the comrades that e'er I had
They're sorry for my going away
And all the sweethearts that e'er I had
They'd wish me one more day to stay
But since it fell unto my lot
That I should rise and you should not

{Refrain x2}

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