The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #97610   Message #1925153
Posted By: Celtaddict
02-Jan-07 - 06:32 PM
Thread Name: Farewell songs for the last round
Subject: RE: Farewell songs for the last round
I agree that Dave Webber's 'Parting Song' and the Padstowe chantey are great, and there are a number of going home shanties, and 'The Going Home Song' but there are some grand more contemporary ones too.

Rick Fielding and Holmes Hooke's 'When We Gather Once More' on 'This One's the Dreamer'
chorus
Be well, be safe, be kind, be strong,
For the times will test us sore
And to gladden our hearts,
Our bodies, our souls,
Oh, be here when we gather once more.
(The last verse, in Rick's voice, still brings me tears.)

And, George Papavgeris (El Greko) manages to be both touching and funny with 'Friends Like These' on 'Ordinary Heroes.'
chorus
Who needs fame and who needs fortune?
And who needs a life of ease?
I'm the richest in the county
When I'm blest with friends like these.
(the last verse of this is delicious, remarking that if the angels take you, and the devil takes my soul, "we'll still harmonize together, you above and me below.")

And Allister MacGillivray's 'Here's to Song'
chorus
Here's to song and here's to time
Here's to both with friends of mine
Here's to friends who raise their voices high.
Kings have riches, widely lain,
Lords have lands but then again
We have friends and songs no wealth can buy.

All three choruses are easy to learn and lend themselves well to harmonizing.