The Parting Glass

Lyrics

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 memory now I can't recall

So fill to me the parting glass;

Goodnight, and joy be with you all.

Of all the comrades that e'er I had,

They are sorry for my going away.

And all the sweethearts that ere 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,

Goodnight, 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,

Who sorely has my heart beguiled.

Her rosey cheeks and ruby lips,

I alone she has my heart in thrall.

So fill to me the parting glass,

Goodnight, and joy be with you all.

Credits

• Written by: Traditional

Performances

This song is unreleased by Elvis Costello, but he performed it in concert 2002-10-17 in honor of Derek Bell of The Chieftains, who had died that day.

Recordings

• The Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem, on Come Fill Your Glass With Us, 1959
• The Dubliners, on Drinkin' And Courtin', 1968
• The Pogues, on "Dirty Old Town" 12-inch single, 1985
• The Voice Squad, on Bringing It All Back Home, 1991
• Liam Ó Maonlaí, on the Waking Ned Devine soundtrack, 1998
• Steeleye Span, on Horkstow Grange, 1999
• Sinead O'Connor, on Sean-Nós Nua, 2002

Bootlegs

• This section is incomplete.