The Parting Glass
The Clancy Brothers And Tommy Makem Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Of all the money that e'er I spent
I've spent it in good company
And all the harm that ever I did
Alas it was 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
Good night and joy be with you all
If I had money enough to spend
And leisure to sit awhile
There is a fair maid in the town
That sorely has my heart beguiled

Her rosy cheeks and ruby lips
I own she has my heart enthralled
So fill to me the parting glass
Good night and joy be with you all
Oh, 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 falls unto my lot
That I should rise and you should not




I'll gently rise and softly call
Good night and joy be with you all

Overall Meaning

"The Parting Glass" is a traditional Irish song that is commonly sung at the end of gatherings, such as funerals, parties, or other social occasions where people part ways. The song reflects on the experiences of life and the relationships that have been forged along the way. The opening lines talk about the money that has been spent and the company it has been spent in, indicating that the singer has lived a rich life full of good memories. However, the next line talks about the harm that the singer has caused, which was only to themselves. This reflects the idea that our actions have consequences, and we must take responsibility for them. The singer also acknowledges that there are things that they cannot remember due to lack of wisdom, which highlights the fleeting nature of life.


The second stanza contains a romantic element where the singer speaks of a fair maid in town who has captured their heart. This adds a note of wistfulness to the song, as it is clear that the singer is leaving this love behind. The third and final stanza speaks of the singer's comrades and sweethearts who are saying goodbye. The words express the bittersweet nature of parting where people long to stay and yet, know that they must leave. The final line of the song, "I'll gently rise and softly call, Good night and joy be with you all," encapsulates the feelings of farewell, where the singer hopes that their friends and companions will be surrounded by happiness and light.


Line by Line Meaning

Of all the money that e'er I spent
Throughout my life, I have spent a lot of money.


I've spent it in good company
I spent my money with good friends and in good times.


And all the harm that ever I did
I have caused harm in my life.


Alas it was to none but me
Unfortunately, the only person that was affected by my actions was myself.


And all I've done for want of wit
Due to lack of intelligence or good judgment, I have made mistakes.


To memory now I can't recall
I can no longer remember some of the things I have done.


So fill to me the parting glass
Please fill my glass as I prepare to leave.


Good night and joy be with you all
I hope you all have a good night and happiness in your lives.


If I had money enough to spend
If I had enough money, I would spend it on something else.


And leisure to sit awhile
If I had time, I would take a break and rest.


There is a fair maid in the town
There is a beautiful girl in town.


That sorely has my heart beguiled
She has captivated my heart and mind.


Her rosy cheeks and ruby lips
She has a beautiful face with rosy cheeks and ruby-red lips.


I own she has my heart enthralled
I am completely captivated by her.


Oh, all the comrades that e'er I had
Oh, all my friends that I have ever had.


They're sorry for my going away
They are sad that I am leaving.


And all the sweethearts that e'er I had
And all my past lovers.


They'd wish me one more day to stay
They would like me to stay for one more day.


But since it falls unto my lot
However, it is my fate.


That I should rise and you should not
That I will have to leave and you will not.


I'll gently rise and softly call
I will leave quietly and say goodbye softly.


Good night and joy be with you all
I wish you all a good night and a happy life.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Gregory Alan Farley, Ian Felice, James Felice, Josh Rawson, Simone Felice, Traditional Traditional

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@Lito0889

Of all the money that e'er I spent
I've spent it in good company
And all the harm that ever I did
Alas it was 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
Good night and joy be with you all
If I had money enough to spend
And leisure to sit awhile
There is a fair maid in the town
That sorely has my heart beguiled

Her rosy cheeks and ruby lips
I own she has my heart enthralled
So fill to me the parting glass
Good night and joy be with you all
Oh, 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 falls unto my lot
That I should rise and you should not
I'll gently rise and softly call
Good night and joy be with you all



All comments from YouTube:

@thescoobymike

Perfect rendition. The song should always be done solemnly and lowkey like this. I hate it when people give it a huge epic arrangement with cheery vocals and bombasticness. It is best done as a meditation with room to breathe.

@heathermcdougall8023

Definitely. The lyrics drive the song, and the musicians should do thier best, to create nice harmonies , at crucial points inthe words. I'ts such a beautiful Wake song.

@yvonnegoble354

OMG one of the most beautiful songs in my lifetime and the main song played at my father's funeral xxx

@heathermcdougall8023

Been hired to play a Wake, very soon. My son has been ordered to learn this fast, but the Bard of Armargh is nice too - a song about beingt old, but not forgotten, and loved. Fiddler's Green - basically, the demands/ wishes, of a dead fisherman. However, lively music is good too, a bit later!!

@Yowzoe

@@heathermcdougall8023let's hope a good bit later!!

@Yowzoe

likewise. From Ballina and Dublin.

@miriamoconnor2285

Our daughter, Deirdre, her husband, and some friends travelled to England/Ireland. She considered this trip her "dream trip". She was even able to visit some towns, her O'Connor ancestors had lived in Ireland. While on the trip's last day, she succumbed to a brain bleed/aneurism. Generous donors to a Go Fund Me event permitted some family members to be at the hospital before life support was discontinued. Our sweetie was able to serve as an organ donor to many people. My husband wisely played this recording at her graveside service. I have come to love and appreciate the symbolism of this solemn song. This rendition did her proud! <3

@djt1785

We had an Irish band at the after-reception and my Irish Nana's funeral mass, and they played this song as everyone in attendance sipped a drink (in silence) to honor her life and her passing. It's a beautiful melody and a solemn tribute to the vibrant souls lost from us on this Earth. I still cry when I hear it because I think of the great joy she brought to everyone around her, especially me

@lucianjackson6817

You prolly dont give a damn but does anyone know of a way to log back into an instagram account?
I somehow forgot my login password. I appreciate any assistance you can offer me

@dylanotis6307

@Lucian Jackson instablaster ;)

More Comments

More Versions