The version which I know and love, and many Oz catters would agree with me, is sung by our own Judy Pinder. On her CD, "Foreign Shore" it was dedicated to the late Dave Alexander, who died in 1997. It has also been included on a recent double CD of session songs, produced by Miguel Heatwole, called "The People Have Songs".

The notes on this CD, and the lyrics, as she sings them, are here:

THE PARTING GLASS
traditional Irish
sung by Judy Pinder
"This is an 'American wake' song to farewell emigrants. Since anyone leaving Ireland in the 19th century was highly unlikely to return home again, their family and friends would hold a wake for them before they left." For many years at the Glengarry Castle the session would only finish if Judy, or someone else, would sing this song.

Of all the money that e'er I spent
I spent it in good company
And of all the harm that e'er I've done
I swear 'twas done 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 to you all

If I had money enough to spend
And leisure time to sit awhile
There is a fair maid in this town
And she surely has my heart beguiled
Her rosy cheeks and ruby lips
I own she has my heart in thrall
So fill to me the parting glass
Good night, and joy be to you all

Of all the friends that e'er I had
They were sorry for my going away
And of all the sweethearts e'er I had
They would wish me one more day to stay
But since it falls unto my lot
That I should rise and you should not
Then I'd gently rise and softly call
Good night, and joy be to you all