For audiences where those who can sing, do, and those who can't sing, listen - the Copper Family's "Thousands or More" has few equals as a finisher.For audiences where those who think they can sing are bellowing at full volume, and those who can't be bothered to sing are dropping glasses, knocking over chairs, and arguing among themselves - Leadbelly's "Midnight Special" often hits the right spot. I hear that some folk have had considerable success finishing with John Denver's "Annie's Song", but that's too syrupy for my taste. (Though we did it once, at a wedding ceilidh, because the bride's name was Annie.)
There are some gigs where the only alternative to finishing with some local lad joining you for "Danny Boy" is probably a thump in the kisser. ("What key do you sing it in?" "Bugger the key, just play it, sonny!")
And if the crowd insists on ending with "The Wild Rover", let them get on with it ... it's a free country, ain't it?
But with almost any audience, anywhere, "Goodnight Irene" usually sends people home in a mellow mood. OK, so it's a cliche ... but it's still a pretty effective cliche.
Wassail!