The Parting Glass
An Irish Song
The Parting Glass is a tender song, an Irish song that speaks of memory, of friends, and of sorrow at going away.
It is also beautiful, and you and your students will enjoy playing and singing it.
Here is a riveting performance of The Parting Glass by a group called The Wailin' Jennys:
Download The Parting Glass in the key of Bm
Download free Irish sheet music in the key of Cm
Download Irish traditional song in DmDownload Irish traditional song in Dm
Download free vocal sheet music in Em
Because the versions of this Irish song vary so greatly, it was hard for me to make sense of it at first, and to really pin down the heart of the melody.
After multiple listenings to a number of different performers, I settled on this short version of The Wailin' Jennys as the standard that I would use for my lead sheets. Have a listen to other recordings of The Parting Glass and see what you think.
NEWS FLASH!!! The Wailin' Jennys have made a sheet music arrangement of their excellent trio available, for sale, on this page:
http://www.thewailinjennys.com/store/sheet-music/parting-glass-sheet-music/
This is an a capella arrangement. I have used it in a couple of recitals so far - students and audiences LOVE IT.
Sinead O'Connor's rendition is also short:
Here is a very interesting arrangement by The Gentlemen of the College of William and Mary. It is long and complicated, with changes to the tune:
I read, but do not know for a certainty, that the arrangement used by The Gentlemen of the College is the same one that can be found in the Celtic Woman songbook "Believe." The song "The Parting Glass" is certainly in that book, but I haven't had the opportunity to see the arrangement.
More Folk & Traditional Songs
Ae Fond Kiss - not strictly a folk melody, but it is old - and very lovely!
Colorado Trail - a genuine cowboy song, just one verse, surprisingly lovely
Erie Canal - a vigorous minor melody that kids like, with lots of repeating phrases
Johnny Has Gone for a Soldier - Lovely. Important for breath control and learning to mold a phrase.
Lavender's Blue, a pretty song that is VERY simple to sing! Perfect for young girls.
Loch Lomond, the most famous song of all from Scotland. Still beautiful.
Muss i denn or Abschied (Wooden Heart) - from Germany by way of Elvis, an adorable folk tune!
Once I Had a Sweetheart - another sad, pretty, and image-arousing song, once sung by Joan Baez
Scarborough Fair - an old favorite from England, still lovely
Shenandoah - So pretty, and genuinely American. Long phrases, good breath control practice.
Spanish Ladies - a minor key sea chanty that swings energetically along - boys like singing it too!
The Spanish Lady - Upbeat and energetic, this song is fun to perform with a group.
Star of the County Down - LOTS of fun to sing and play! An excellent ensemble piece.
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