The Parting Glass (SATB)

The Parting Glass (2024) is an arrangement of the traditional Scottish/Irish song that highlights the love, loss, celebration, and nostalgia of a gathering of friends. This arrangement's changing meters, subito dynamics, and orchestrational pivots evoke the twists and turns of life and gesture to hope for the future, even when one's own path is unsure or unknown. The Parting Glass was arranged for the 2014 Composers on Holiday album project that fundraised for St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital.

TEXT:

Of all the money that e’er I had, 

I spent it in good company, 

And all the harm I’ve ever done, 

Alas it was to none but me. 

And all I’ve done for want of wit 

To mem’ry now I can’t recall. 

So fill to me the parting glass; 

Goodnight and joy be to you all. 

So fill to me the parting glass

And drink a health what’ere befalls 

And gently rise and softly call 

Goodnight and joy be to you all. 

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, 

I gently rise and softly call 

Goodnight and joy be to you all. 

Of all the nights I traveled here

For snow on snow and yuletide due, 

We’ll hold a drink to health and cheer 

When I am welcomed back to you. 

So fill to me the parting glass

And softly call 

Goodnight.