The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #116230   Message #2494681
Posted By: GUEST,Big Tim
15-Nov-08 - 02:24 PM
Thread Name: The Parting Glass, About what?
Subject: Lyr Add: GOOD NIGHT AND JOY BE WI' YE A' (Boswell
Yet another version is by Sir Alexander Boswell (1775-1822) of Ayrshire. His version is quite different from the others, apparently written by a man close to death. In 'Scots Minstrelsie', John Greig says that the air was '[was] popular long before 1740'.

Good night, and joy be wi' ye a',
Your harmless mirth has cheered my heart,
May life's fell blasts oot o'er ye blaw,
In sorrow, may ye never pairt.
My spirit lives but strength is gone,
The hillside fires now blaze in vain,
Remember, sons, the deeds I've done,
And in your deeds, I'll live again.

When on yon moor, oor gallant clan,
Frae boasting foes, their banners tore,
Who showed himsel' a better man,
Or braver bore the red claymore?
But when in peace, then mark me there,
When through the glen the wanderer came,
I gave him o' oor hardy fare,
I gave him here a welcome hame.

The auld may speak, the young maun hear,
Be canty, but be guid and leal,
Your ain ills, aye ha'e heart tae bear,
Anither's, aye ha'e heart tae feel,
So ere I set, I'll see you shine,
I'll see you triumph ere I fa',
My parting breath shall boast ye mine,
Good night, and joy be wi' ye a'.

Glossary. fell, hard, testing. canty, cheerful. leal. loyal, true.

(Yes GUEST, should be e'ye (eye).