The Parting Glass chords

by Liam Clancy

Song Key: D Major

Time Signature: 4/4

Tempo: Freely (performers discretion)


Guitar Tuning: E A D G B e

Skill Level: Beginner

Guitar Chords: D, F#m, G, A, Bm

Beginners: See charts below for easy chord options

Chord Chart Legend
D Major F#m F#m barre chord G A Major Bm Bm barre chord D Major
Lefties Chord Chart Legend
D Major-LH F#m-LH F#m barre chord-LH G-LH A Major-LH Bm-LH Bm barre chord-LH D Major-LH

The Parting Glass

Song Key is highlighted - Transpose to any other key 
             D   A     Bm   F#m     G   A     Bm  G  Bm
Intro: 4/4 ‖   /   / |    /     / |   /   / |           / ‖
           
      Bm      G           D      A
1. Oh all the mo-ney that e'er I spent
     D                F#m    A
   I spent it in good com-pa-ny
       Bm      G         D         A
   And all the harm that e'er I've done
     D       F#m    Bm
   A-las, it was to none but me

       D   G    D             G  D
2. And all I've done for want of wit
      G        A     D        A
   To mem-o-ry now I can't re-call
      Bm      A      G        A
   So fill to me the part-ing glass
        Bm        F#m    Bm   G   Bm
   Good night and joy be with you all

         D   A     Bm   F#m     G   A     Bm  G  Bm
Instr: ‖   /   / |    /     / |   /   / |           / ‖
 
      Bm      G              D      A
3. Oh all the com-rades that e'er I had
            D             F#m      A
   They are sor-ry for my go-ing a-way
       Bm      G                 D      A
   And all the sweet-hearts that e'er I had
              D       F#m      Bm
   They would wish me one more day to stay

       D     G  D           G  D
4. But since it falls un-to my lot
        G        A        D          A
   That I should rise and you should not
        Bm      A             G       A
   I'll gen-tly rise and I'll soft-ly call
        Bm        F#m    Bm   G    Bm
   Good night and joy be with you (all)...

Arrangement Details:

  • Key Signature: D Major - 2 sharps (F#, C#)
  • Time Signature: 4/4 
  • Tempo: Played Freely
  • Liam sings this song 'freely' which often referred to as ad-lib (ad libitum) - latin for 'at liberty' whereby the speed and style of play is left up to the discretion of the performer.
  • Wherever you see a bar with a forward slash e.g., |  D  /  A   /  | you play D for 2 beats and A for 2 beats. The slash implies you repeat the chord in front of it.
  • The same applies to |  Bm   G   Bm  /  | with a slightly different take. Bm for 1 beat, G for 1 beat, Bm for 2 beats.

Song Details:

Favourites 1 & 2 album
Album Cover
  • Brief: A traditional Scottish song often sung at the end of friendly gatherings. The earliest known version was as a broadside in the 1770's. It was re-introduced into the mid twentieth century in recordings and performances by the popular Irish Folk Band - The Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem.
  • Lyrics Begin: Oh all the money that e'er I spent, I spent it in good company.
  • Genre: Traditional Scottish
  • Featured Artist: Liam Clancy
  • Album: Favourites
    Released: August 24, 2005
    Country: Ireland
    Format: 2 x CD, Compilation
Songs by Liam Clancy on this site:
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A seasoned performer joyfully playing the guitar