5 Comments

Old songs like this have lasted for a reason thanks to the deep humanity of their lyrics and the sturdy architecture of their melodies. One cool thing about The Parting Glass is that Bob Dylan used it as inspiration for his classic song, Restless Farewell, which ends his third album. I wrote a little about that here: https://rockandrollglobe.com/dylan/bob-dylan-the-songs-they-are-a-changin/

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Love this song. We sang this at my late grandmother's wake. She was Irish and as you say it's been a part of their folk culture for centuries. Love hearing someone else talk about it for a change. Thank you...

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I knew I was forgetting something! Caroline Shaw and Sō Percussion included a lovely version of The Parting Glass on their latest album: https://open.spotify.com/track/2MmAsQUq95kfDnSb44v4do?si=ZcWKaOUORMm5yUCsqtYI_g

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This is a great concept for MVM. I like that there's not a default original version that everyone else is chasing.

I didn't remember this tune, or the story behind it. I've surely heard The Pogues version before but wouldn't have known anything special about it.

To the countdown:

5) The Pogues

The song just seems to cry out for a high degree of sentimental reverence and I'm just not feeling it from this one. They're the guys that get you kicked out of the pub, not the guys who send you off graciously.

4) Henry Jamison / Darlingside

I could listen to this one. I liked the High Kings version better as an example of the "bunch of dudes harmonizing" style.

3) Muirann Nic Amhlaoibh

I like this one, and think this interpretation works very well. But . . .

2) Cara Dillon

What a beautiful voice. That's all this needs. My fave of the "solo singer" versions.

1)The High Kings

Harmonies! Bagpipes! Big dramatic crescendos! This one sounds like the whole pub is sending you off in style. Make mine a nice barleywine and fill er up.

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All righty! Even if this is the only approval I get on this share, it's been well worth it. Hopefully thre are a few other traditional song lovers in the mix, though!

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