Parting songs

Subject: RE: PARTING SONGS
From: WyoWoman
Date: 20 Oct 99 - 10:19 PM

This is a great thread, Ian. Now I want to know the *rest* of the story.

What'd you settle on?

WyoWoman

Subject: RE: PARTING SONGS
From: Gorgeous Gary
Date: 20 Oct 99 - 09:56 PM

When I'm at one of my filk conventions, I frequently make Tom Paxton's "Honor Of Your Company" (from his WEARING THE TIME album) the last song I play.

One of my fellows has been using Bill Staines' "A Thousand Songs" as the last song **he** plays for the weekend.

Subject: RE: PARTING SONGS
From: Bruce O.
Date: 20 Oct 99 - 09:44 PM

"The Parting Glass" is a slight reworking of "Good night and joy be wi' you all", whose tune is in the 17th century Scots Skene and Guthries MSS. The song is the last in 'The Scots Musical Museum'.

Subject: RE: PARTING SONGS
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 20 Oct 99 - 08:31 PM

I take Jon Freeman's point about "Rolling Home"; it has been done to death in recent years. "When Fortune Turns Her Wheel" is a fine idea, and I'm surprised that I'd forgotten about it. On reflection, "Meet on the Ledge" might be worth considering, along with "Farewell Farewell".

Malcolm

Subject: RE: PARTING SONGS
From: emmet
Date: 20 Oct 99 - 08:01 PM

I know it's not an old favorite, but Irish rock/folk band the Saw Doctors have a song called "I'll Be On My Way" which can easily be played solo with an acoustic guitar. It has a sort of calypso beat. Probably the best way to tell if a song is good parting song is if you can imagine someone saying "I want them to play that when they wheel me out..." Also, I haven't looked at all the messages so I don't know if anyone else mentioned it but, "The Leaving of Liverpool" is a great parting song. - Emmet

Subject: RE: PARTING SONGS
From: ursa
Date: 20 Oct 99 - 06:55 PM

Always Look on the Bright Side of Life from Monty Python's-Life of Brian is always a good sentiment to leave people with, and the song is great.

Subject: RE: PARTING SONGS
From: Ian HP
Date: 20 Oct 99 - 02:16 PM

Dear me, it's incredible to see the responses to this thread - revived twice. I could not have imagined what I'd started - it has obviously struck a chord with people with the same question. I had picked Farewell But Whenever from suggestions, but am now gravitating towards When Fortune Turns Her Wheel (which I don't think anyone has suggested). Thanks all.

Subject: Lyr Add: HALLELUJAH^^
From: Judy Cook
Date: 20 Oct 99 - 12:33 PM

The version of that Sacred Harp song that I know goes:

And let this feeble body fail
And let it faint or die
My soul shall quit this mournful vale
And soar to worlds on high

And I'll sing Hallelujah
And You'll sing Hallelujah
And We'll all sing Hallelujah
When we arrive at home.

Shall join the disembodied saints
And find it's long rest
That only bliss for which it pants
In my Redeemer's breast

cho:

Oh what is all my suffering here
If Lord, Thou find me meet
With that enraptured host t'appear
And worship at thy feet

cho:

Give joy or grief, give ease or pain
Take life or friends away
But let me find them all again
In that eternal day

cho:

I love singing the chorus especially.

Judy

HTML line breaks added. -JoeClone 20-Feb-2001.

Subject: RE: PARTING SONGS
From: Graham Pirt
Date: 20 Oct 99 - 05:12 AM

I Like Bob Dylan's "Restless Farewell"

Subject: Lyr Add: HAPPY TRAILS^^
From: WyoWoman
Date: 20 Oct 99 - 12:31 AM

Out here in the Wild, Wild West, we sing "HAPPY TRAILS."

(If we're feeling particularly stressed, we sing "Happy Trials...")

Happy trails to you,
Until we meet again.
Happy trails to you,
Keep smiling until then.
Who cares about the stormy weather
As long as we can be together?
Happy trails to you
Until we meet again....

G'night, y'all, WyoWoman

Subject: RE: PARTING SONGS
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 20 Oct 99 - 12:11 AM

Just a personal opinion but assuming Rolling Home is the song I am thinking of, I am fed up with it being used as a closing song in a local folk club. It would make a very pleasant and unexpected change to go back to The Wild Mountain Thyme or Goodnight Irene once in a while.

Jon

Subject: RE: PARTING SONGS
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 19 Oct 99 - 11:04 PM

Also "Shallow Brown", "The Singer's Request" (Trad/Nic Jones) and John Tams' "Rolling Home".

Malcolm

Subject: RE: PARTING SONGS
From: Alice
Date: 19 Oct 99 - 10:35 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: PARTING SONGS
From: Joe Offer
Date: 23 Dec 98 - 08:24 PM

Different tune, Alice. Rob, did the Clancys record this one?
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: PARTING SONGS
From: Alice
Date: 23 Dec 98 - 08:19 PM

Rob and Joe, are the Judy Goodenough lyrics sung to the same tune as the Parting Glass done by the Clancy Brothers? They fit the tune... just wondering.

Subject: Lyr Add: THE PARTING GLASS (Judy Goodenough)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 23 Dec 98 - 07:45 PM

Rob, that song you posted is on the 1998 Gordon Bok album, Gatherings. Bok says it was written by the late Judy Goodenough, who has been discussed in other threads here recently. Here are the lyrics from the CD booklet, just a bit different from your rendering

The Parting Glass
© J.B. Goodenough

The fire is out, the moon is down
The parting glass is dry and done
And I must go and leave this town
Before the rising of the sun

Long's the road, and many's the mile
Before I rest my soul again
With girls that weep and girls that smile
At all the words and ways of men

And some there are who may not bide
But wander ‘til their journey's end
Or take a girl to be a bride
Or keep a man to be a friend

When I'm done with wandering
I will sit beside the road and weep
For all the songs I did not sing
And promises I did not keep

JRO/Joe Offer

See the note at the end of the previous post. -JoeClone 20-Feb-2001.

Subject: Lyr Add: THE PARTING SONG (JOURNEY'S END)^^
From: Rob Derrick
Date: 23 Dec 98 - 07:18 PM

Oops. Sorry about the redundancy. It's as bad as the old woman who took the two pills

"To be sure, to be sure"

But to continue the subject, there are two songs called "The Parting Glass" that I know of. The first is the most popular, and therefore accounts for why I can't for the moment remember it. Ah, it is:

Of all the money that e'er I spent
I've spent it in good company...

as popularized by the Clancy Bros.

The second, which I also learned from Liam Clancy and Tommy Makem, and the one that is my favorite, is

The fire is out, the moon is down
The parting glass is dry and done
And I must go and leave this town
Before the rising of the sun

And long's the road, and far's the mile
Before I rest my soul again
With girls that weep, and girls that smile
And all the words and ways of men

For some there are that may not bide
But wander to there journey's end
Nor take a girl to be a bride
Nor keep a man to be a friend

And when I'm done with wandering
I'll beside the road and weep
For all the songs I did not sing
And promises I did not keep

According to Tommy Makem's official web site, the correct title of the latter song is "The Parting Song (Journey's End)." I have submitted it under this title to DigiTrad. -JoeClone 20-Feb-2001.

Subject: RE: PARTING SONGS
From: Rob Derrick
Date: 23 Dec 98 - 07:08 PM

This one would have to be my favorite, and as I don't see that anyone has already listed it, I thought I would. It is from the singing of Ian Robb. I believe it is a knocked-about variation on a Sacred Harp song, but I don't remember which one.
Singer's Farewell

Farewell old friends, it's time to go
etc.etc.etc......

Subject: Lyr Add: SINGER'S FAREWELL^^
From: Rob Derrick
Date: 23 Dec 98 - 07:07 PM

This one would have to be my favorite, and as I don't see that anyone has already listed it, I thought I would. It is from the singing of Ian Robb. I believe it is a knocked-about variation on a Sacred Harp song, but I don't remember which one.

SINGER'S FAREWELL

Farewell old friends, it's time to go
You must be on your way
Do not let this parting grieve you so
Though dreary is the day

And I'll sing hallelujah
And you'll sing hallelujah
And we'll all sing hallelujah
When we arrive at home

No saint you were while on this earth
You trod your path so wide
For saints do seldom venture forth
For fear they stray aside

If God there be some Pharisee
Of unforgiving ways
Then look for Him for you must seek
To brighten up his days

And when at Peter's gate you stand
With sins of flesh and wine
One song of bribe, he'll take your hand
And lead you in to dine

Though friends may join, and friends may part
Though friends be born and die
Each song remains within our heart
Each spirit ever nigh

Subject: RE: PARTING SONGS
From: Joe Offer
Date: 22 Dec 98 - 12:56 PM

We end our church choir concerts with a little doo-wop:

Goodnight, shweetheart, well, it's time to go
Da da-da da-da
Goodnight, shweetheart, well, it's time to go
Da da-da da-da
I hate to leave you , but I really must say
Goodnight, shweetheart, goodnight.

Yeah, I guess you could say we're a bit unusual for a church choir. We do a great job on "girl group" songs, too. Goodnight, shweetheart....
Goodnight, Gwacie.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: PARTING SONGS
From: RASTA
Date: 20 Dec 98 - 10:07 PM

STAY AWHILE- TITLE AND SONG OF A KINGSTON TRIO ALBUM HAS ALWAYS BEEN A GOOD ONE FOR ME. OH WE*LL STAY AWAHIE TO BIDE A WHILE WERE NEVER GOIN TO LEAVE YOU OH WE*LL STAY AWHILE TO BIDE AWHILE TILL WE COME BACK TO SEE YOU---- ITS OUT THERE ON CD SOMEWHERE. MAYBE CLANCYS DID IT ALSO THEY WERE BIG FRIENDS BACK IN THE 60SL. GOOD LUCK RASTA

Subject: RE: PARTING SONGS
From:
Date: 19 Dec 98 - 10:29 PM

The two most popular parting songs I've heard over the years are The Parting Glass and Goodnight Irene.

Subject: RE: PARTING SONGS
From: Susan A-R
Date: 19 Dec 98 - 10:07 PM

Gordon Bok's "Hearth and Fire" is a lovely one. I'm not sure if it's in the database. If I find that it's not, I'll send lyrics and album/book information on where to find it.

Subject: RE: PARTING SONGS
From: Barry Finn
Date: 19 Dec 98 - 03:32 AM

Len N, Sweet Rosie Anna/ Bye Bye My Roseanna is an all time favorite of mine. The Menhaden Chanteymen used to (& still do) do this as a net hauling song, the most beautiful version I ever heard. Had to be about 10 or 12 of them sitting semi-circle, showing how they'd be leaning in towards the center as the lead sang then they'd grab hold of the (imaginary) net & all pull back, slow & steady, as they rang out the chorus, it was pure magic. I'll post their version, I checked the DT & was suprized that it wasn't there. The mention of this also but to mind another (farewell) sea song called "Riley", a shanty from the Georgia Sea Islands. It starts off

Riley, Riley where was you,
(chorus) Oh, Riley, oh, man
Riley gone & I'll go to,
(chorus) Bye, bye my Riley, oh, man

Bye, bye from Barry

Subject: RE: PARTING SONGS
From: Harald Schmidt
Date: 18 Dec 98 - 07:50 PM

Hi Bert, a friend of mine in New Jersey (Willie Bauer) uploaded the song on his page. You can visit his page:

William Bauer´s Homepage

Listen to A Last Song

All the best

HARALD

Subject: RE: PARTING SONGS
From: Len N
Date: 18 Dec 98 - 07:11 PM

Pete Seeger and Arlo used to play a song that would make a nice farewell tune. I have always assumed the title was "Goodbye my Roseanna", but if the title is not correct, the chorus is

Bye bye, Bye bye, Bye bye Good bye my Roseanna Bye bye, Bye bye, Bye bye And I won't be back tomorrow

Len

Subject: RE: PARTING SONGS
From: Bert
Date: 18 Dec 98 - 02:05 PM

I like your song Harald. Would like to hear you sing it.

Bert.

Subject: Lyr Add: ALWAYS LEAVE THEM LAUGHING WHEN YOU ...^^
From: Benson
Date: 18 Dec 98 - 01:48 PM

ALWAYS LEAVE THEM LAUGHING WHEN YOU SAY GOOD-BYE
Words and music by George M. Cohan
New York: F.A. Mills, ©1903.
"One of the musical hits from Geo. M. Cohan's latest play, 'Little Johnny Jones' "

1. My Dad would never preach to me.
In fact, he'd never teach to me
The different things that I should do when I'd be here and there.
In fact, he said, "Go on alone.
You have ideas of your own.
You'll never lose if you will use the other fair and square."
That's just as far as he'd advise,
Till one day to my surprise,
I went to say that I was going to other lands to live,
And as I went to say goodbye,
He saw a teardrop in my eye.
Said he, "My lad, ah! that's too bad. I've some advice to give:

CHORUS: Always leave them laughing when you say goodbye.
Never linger long about,
Or else you'll wear your welcome out.
When you meet a fellow with a tear-dimmed eye,
You can leave him laughing if you try.
When he tells his troubles, interrupt him with a joke.
Tell him one he's never heard,
And he'll declare that its a bird.
When he's giggling good, you know,
That's the time to turn and go.
Always leave them laughing when you say goodbye!"

2. Said Dad, "Whene'er you hear a joke,
Just laugh as if you're going to choke
And make the teller think that he has told you something new."
Said he, "I never went to school, but still I have a golden rule:
To always laugh at others as you'd have them laugh at you.
Don't sympathise with anyone,
But turn their troubles into fun.
When ev'rybody's pouting, that's the time to wear a smile.
No matter if you're rich or broke,
Just treat the whole thing as a joke.
Everybody likes the man who's laughing all the while."

Subject: RE: PARTING SONGS
From: Alice
Date: 18 Dec 98 - 01:28 PM

Benson, I love that sentiment.

....When he tells his troubles, interrupt him with a joke ...

I know some whiners whom I have to constantly cajole into seeing something good about their life.

I like being able to use songs to touch the depths of peoples emotions, both tragic and comic.

alice

Subject: RE: PARTING SONGS
From: Benson
Date: 18 Dec 98 - 09:57 AM

I am flying "seat of the pants" here....but I often think of the song and (advice) of George M Cohan....".Always leave them laughing when you say goodbye".........."When you meet a fellow with a tear dimmed eye...you can leave him laughing if you try...When he tells his troubles, interrupt him with a joke ....tell him one he's never heard and he'll declare that "it's a bird".....When he's giggling good you know...that's the time to turn and go.....Always leave them laughing when you say goodbye!!!!! Maybe not a great tune....but a great sentiment........ The Limeliters did one in the 60's called "Proschai...?"A lighthearted and rollicking tune....Goodbye in every conceivable language...... "Proschai, adeiu, aur rivor derci, adios, aloha, aufweidersehen, shalom.......Proschai no matter what the country or the land Proschai is one word they'll always understand!!! (forgive the spelling )

Subject: RE: PARTING SONGS
From: Roger "The Zimmer"
Date: 18 Dec 98 - 09:29 AM

The Corries a 60s/70s Scottish folk duo (one half of whom died last year)used to finish with one of two very short encores that they introduced straight-faced. The first "for the older members of our folk audience" went: Granny's in the cellar I'm surprised ye canna smell 'er Baking biscuits on a damned old dirty stove In her eye there is some matter That keeps drippin' in the batter And when she breathes in the (snorting sound effect)runs through her nose.

The other was introduced as a tribute to a young girl they'd met: On the bosum of sweet Abigail Was written the price of her tail And on her behind For the use of the blind Was the same information in Braille.

All in the best possible taste of course!

Subject: RE: PARTING SONGS
From: AndreasW
Date: 18 Dec 98 - 03:13 AM

Hi MoonStarM

Just enter Parting Glass into the Digitrad Database Search box (upper right corner of this page) and press the Search button.
In the result list you will find the song.
Andreas

Subject: Lyr Add: A LAST SONG (Harald Schmidt)
From: Harald Schmidt
Date: 18 Dec 98 - 01:14 AM

I) wrote my own parting song, if someone is interesting:

A Last Song

This will be a last song, this will be a last good-bye
Take care of yourself everywhere and hold your head up high
The moon is shining clearly and the stars are shining bright
This will be a last song for tonight

When I'm old and doddering and my race is almost run
Will you ever think of me, will you miss me when I'm gone
Forget all pain and sorrow, come and rest here by my side
This will be a last song for tonight

Last night I dreamed the waters came rushing to and fro
The siren gave a warning, I watched my body go
The sea began to rollin', oh God I cannot land
I hear a loud voice calling "Please save this drowning man"

(solo and repeat 1st verse)

Subject: RE: PARTING SONGS
From:
Date: 18 Dec 98 - 12:24 AM

Can someone send me the words to "The Parting Glass"? I would appreciate it. Thanks.

Subject: RE: PARTING SONGS
From: Liam
Date: 29 Sep 98 - 02:03 AM

Amongst many I would recommend 'The leaving of Nancy', 'The Setting' and 'Andy's gone with cattle'. cheerio Liam

Subject: RE: PARTING SONGS
From: Barbara
Date: 23 Sep 98 - 04:21 AM

Doug, zygote, see that box in the upper right hand corner? Put [happy trails] in it, like that, with the brackets, and you will have it.
B*
Barbara8

Subject: RE: PARTING SONGS
From: Zygote
Date: 23 Sep 98 - 01:33 AM

All lovely choices you folks have mentioned. I didn't Roy Rogers & Dale Evans' old standby, "Happy Trails". Corny but nice. Wish I knew all the lyrics to it.

Doug

Subject: RE: PARTING SONGS
From: Bert
Date: 27 Aug 98 - 10:58 AM

Shenandoah
Bye bye blackbird
Leaving of Liverpool
Leave her Johnny, Leave her
Spanish Ladies
Rio Grande
Let him go, let him tarry
Goodnight ladies
Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye
Country roads, take me home
Swansea Town

There's even one of mine that might do, called "Kiss for the road" You might want to make the ending a little more cheerful though. click here

Bert

Subject: RE: PARTING SONGS
From: Joe Offer
Date: 25 Aug 98 - 02:04 PM

Lately, when our song circle is about to call it a night, we put down the instruments and songbooks and stand up and gather close together in a sircle, and we sing partig songs until we can't remember any more. It's a magical moment, a magic that continues long after we've left for home.
I have a Cornish friend who says they do that back home, every night after the bars close. If I could do that every night, it might make a boozer out of me.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: PARTING SONGS
From: Alice
Date: 25 Aug 98 - 01:12 PM

Oh, yes, and "Westering Home". If anyone has more verses than the two that are in the database, I would really appreciate if you posted them. There is another thread titled Westering Home, if you would like to add them there.

alice

Subject: RE: PARTING SONGS
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 24 Aug 98 - 08:50 PM

Here are a few that fit the parting theme, although we usually end up doing either "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" or "Amazing Grace."

Adieu False Heart
Back Home Again
Children Go Where I Send Thee
Hand Me Down My Walking Cane
Hold What You Got (I'm Coming Home Baby)
Home Sweet Home
I'll Break Out Again Tonight
I'll Fly Away
I'll Just Go Away
Jamaica Farewell
Light In The Window
Meet Me Somewhere In My Dreams
Sing Me Back Home
Will You Miss Me When I'm Gone?
Won't You Come and Sing For Me
You'll Get No More of Me
You Ain't Going Nowhere

Subject: Lyr Add: A WEE DEOCH-AN-DORIS^^^
From: Ralph Butts
Date: 24 Aug 98 - 10:27 AM

I'm surprised no one has mentioned this one (from the International Lyrics Server)....Tiger

A WEE DEOCH-AN-DORIS
(Harry Lauder)

1. There's a good old Scottish custom that has stood the test o' time,
It's a custom that's been carried out in every land and clime,
Where brother Scots forgather, it's aye the usual thing,
Just before we say goodnicht, we fill our cups and sing:

CHORUS: Just a wee deoch-an-doris, just a wee drap, that's a'
Just a wee deoch-an-doris, before we gang awa'
There's a wee wifie waiting in a wee but-an-ben
If you can say, “It's a braw bricht moonlicht nicht,” well, you're all richt, ye ken.

2. I like a man that is a man, a man that's straight and fair,
A sort o' man who will and can in all things do his share.
I like a man, a jolly man, the sort o' man you know,
The kind of chap that slaps your back and says, "Man, Jock, before you go--".

CHORUS

Subject: RE: PARTING SONGS
From: Wolfgang
Date: 24 Aug 98 - 08:49 AM

Hi John in Brisbane,

thanks for replying so quickly (I'm only here about once a week) with the lyrics. Yes, it's another song.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: PARTING SONGS
From: Alice
Date: 21 Aug 98 - 06:07 PM

Hey, Allan C., thank you so much! I'm glad you responded. I envy you that old book!! What a treasure.

I once was searching an out-of-print book website for Thomas Moore books, and found that there is a book about Mary O'Hara titled "The Scent of the Roses". I just love this song. It never fails to evoke emotion from the listeners.>BR<

Alice

Subject: RE: PARTING SONGS
From: belter
Date: 21 Aug 98 - 03:53 PM

To clarify, I ment the last song the Weavers performed in public.

Subject: RE: PARTING SONGS
From: belter
Date: 21 Aug 98 - 03:51 PM

I was going to sugjest Good Night Irean, but some one beat me to it. It was the last song the group ever performed.

Subject: RE: PARTING SONGS
From: Elaine,
Date: 20 Aug 98 - 09:44 AM

Holly,

Can you please post the lyrics to Chi Mi Na Morbheanna? Thanks

Subject: RE: PARTING SONGS
From: Cuilionn
Date: 19 Aug 98 - 03:40 PM

Dinnae ken how this wuid wairk for endin' a set, but our ceilidhs tend tae close wi' th' Scots Gaelic song, "Chi Mi Na Morbheanna." ("I will see the great mountains.") We've had guid success teachin' th' chorus tae th' crood, an' it's a song aboot luikin' for'ard tae guid times an' guid friends meetin' agin, sae it's maist appropriate. Anither guid closin' tune for folk whae ken oor appreciate th' Gaelic wuid be "Soraidh Leibh 's Oidhche Mhath Leibh," which translates roughly tae mean "Blessings gae wi' ye, and a guid nicht." I'm thinkin' they use that back on th' Auld Sod an' up in Cape Breton as weel. It's richt excitin' tae get a crood singin' alang wi' a Gaelic chorus, as it build a bridge atween them an' th' tradition an' build a bit o' hope for th' future. I tell ye, Celtic musicians wuid be daein' th' wairld a sairvice tae kindle interest an' hope in' sic a way.

An beannacht ort,

--Holly

Subject: RE: PARTING SONGS
From: Art Thieme
Date: 19 Aug 98 - 03:16 PM

Joe,

To "fix" badly deterriorated reel-to-reel tapes from about that era, we had to be bake those in a convection oven. That'd set the oxide so they could be played ONE TIME and copied. Several cuts from old reels that will be on my almost ready new recording were saved that way thanks to Rich Warren of WFMT Radio in Chicago and Tom Martin-Erickson of Wisconsin Public Radio. Not sure what to do with a cassette, but I suspect the tape could be removed, baked, recontructed and then copied.

Good luck !

Art

Subject: RE: PARTING SONGS
From: Sir
Date: 19 Aug 98 - 02:35 PM

"All Through the Night"

"Bright Morning Stars Are Shining"

"May the Good Lord Bless and Keep You"

"Blest Be the Tie That Binds"

"May the Road Rise to Meet You"

"Hey Bartender" (Blues Brothers cover)