Saturday 23 April 2016

The Parting Glass



This is posted, gentle reader, for two reasons.

One is that it is a moving and evocative piece of music.

The other because a member of my extended family (my nephew) is a member of the Brisbane based choir, Voices of Birralee, which is currently on a WW1 commemorative tour in France. they are performing at Amiens, Villers-Bretonneux and Bullecourt, among other locations.

This performance was recorded in L’église de la Madeleine in the 8th arrondissement of Paris.

The lyrics -

 "The Parting Glass"

Of all the money that e'er I had
I've spent it in good company
And all the harm that e'er I've done
Alas it was to none but me
And all I've done for want of wit
To memory now I can't recall
So fill to me the parting glass
Good night and joy be with you all

Of all the comrades that e'er I had
They are sorry for my going away
And all the sweethearts that e'er I had
They would wish me one more day to stay
But since it falls unto my lot
That I should rise and you should not
I'll gently rise and I'll softly call
Good night and joy be with you all


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