Lyr Req: 'The Parting Glass' in Irish Language?

Subject: 'The Parting Glass' in Irish Language?
From: GUEST,Ian
Date: 24 Sep 02 - 03:16 PM

Does anyone know whether the song, The Parting Glass, was originally in Irish, or if it is ever performed in Irish?

I'm looking for a translation into Irish of the following lines:

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

I don't speak Irish (I'm Canadian), but my girlfriend is Irish, and it's for a dedication to her. Call me a romantic! Any help appreciated.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'The Parting Glass' in Irish Language?
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 24 Sep 02 - 03:36 PM

It's originally a Scottish song, so far as can be told, so an Irish language "original" is rather unlikely. It's been popular in Ireland for a long time, though, and may well have been translated into Irish Gaelic at some point.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'The Parting Glass' in Irish Language
From: curmudgeon
Date: 24 Sep 02 - 06:39 PM

My understanding, like Malcolm's, was that this song is not only Scottish, but a common song of parting, in that country, prior to the popularity of "Auld Lang Syne."

It is the verse supplied by Ian (one that I don't sing) that may be of later Irish origins. This is more gut feeling than evidence, but that verse seems to break the feel engendered by the other two. Just my opinion though -- Tom

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'The Parting Glass' in Irish Language
From: Uncle Jaque
Date: 25 Sep 02 - 12:21 AM

That's a favorite of mine- I like to play it on the low "G" walnut flute ("Old Gilead"), so have not memorized the lyrics all that well.

I'll tell you who would know, if anybody does, probably; - that would be "Brian" who is an occasional Mudcatter (try looking him up in the listing) from the Portland ME area. His Mom,(I think), teaches Irish Gaelic and Brian has shared many a song at our Sea Shanty Sings in the Auld tounge O' Erin, so he knows his way around it pretty well I'd say (not that I ken a word of it, but it sounds authentic enough). Charlie Noble knows how to get ahold of him if he doesn't show up here to help you himself presently.

Unless you really want to work at learning Gaelic, you are a brave one trying to sing it to your Beloved; it might be easier than you think to just spray her with saliva (it's one of those languages that can get a little juicy) only to find, perhaps, that you just sang something altogether different from what you thought you did. You might even consider having a friend tape the whole thing for possible later submission to "World's Most Embarassing Videos" or something. I just hope that your Love has an open mind and a good sense of humor, Lad! };^{)~

"Uncle Jaque" up heah in Maine

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'The Parting Glass' in Irish Language?
From: GUEST,Brian(From his sister's comuter)
Date: 25 Sep 02 - 09:09 AM

The mother of our Irish Language teacher(who is not my mother) has taught us many songs, and I'm pretty sure this one would have come up if it was in Irish. I know Len Graham does a different version of this. He is a Northern singer who gets his songs from diverse sources HERE'S A HEALTH TO THE COMPANY is the name I got from a quick Google search. I don't have the liner notes in front of me, so I don't know what he has to say about it. I know everything from DANNY BOY to DO DO RUN RUN and THE STREETS OF LONDON has been tranlated int Gaeilge by somebody, so it could be. I don't think that's the original tongue for this lovely tune.

Brian

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'The Parting Glass' in Irish Language?
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Sep 02 - 12:08 PM

The evidence presented by the tune of "Goodnight and Joy/God be wi' you all' is that the song was of the 17th century, but it seems to have been a song everybody knew so there was little object in printing it, and texts are moderately rare. Early copies, with tune, and "The Parting Glass" are given in the file Scarce Songs 2 at www.erols.com/olsonw