The Parting Glass

Mush as I dislike the repetitive theme of the last few posts, I can't refrain from a comment on the passing of Liam Clancy. Many people remember him as part of the Clancy Brothers, with the Aran jumpers and tweed hats dating from their landmark performance on the Ed Sullivan show.

But my memory of him is far different.

Back in 1978, I went with my family to Ireland for the summer, a chance to see "the rest of the family", as my father's parents had both emigrated from there, only to meet and marry here in America.

Among the many things we did was to get as much of the culture as we could, and to this end, my dad announced he'd scored tickets to see Tommy Makem and Liam Clancy. It was not, I soon learned, anything like the rambunctious concerts the brothers had given in years past, but a dramatic concert, with two incredible musicians.

They sang ballads and rousing songs the audience largely knew (or in cases like mine, learned quickly). They recited poetry, and the highlight of the evening was the story-song "Peter Kagan and the Wind", a mixture of speech and song that still amazes me at how completely the story comes to life in their talented hands.

Liam, the youngest of the brothers was part singer, part actor, and part storyteller. He had what people called "the gift of gab", but that hardly sufficed once you heard him sing "The Band Played Waltzing Matilda", or "No Man's Land".

The man could flat out tell a story, spoken or sung, better than nearly anyone, especially a ballad.

It was fascinating to me, how with his brothers, he established what became the stereotype of Irish singers, then shattered it as a solo artist and in conjunction with Tommy Makem.

I'd like to close with the lyrics to "The Parting Glass", the song which ended Clancy Brother's concerts, and which Liam sang at his brother's funeral. Like many others, it seems fitting to me to give these words:

"Of all the money that e'er I spent
I've spent it in good company
And all the harm that ever 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

"If I had money enough to spend
And leisure to sit awhile
There is a fair maid in the town
That sorely has my heart beguiled

"Her rosy cheeks and ruby lips
I own she has my heart enthralled
So fill to me the parting glass
Good night and joy be with you all

"Oh, all the comrades that e'er I had
They're sorry for my going away
And all the sweethearts that e'er I had
They'd 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 softly call
Good night and joy be with you all"