Traditional Farewell Songs

Song List

Ashokan Farewell
Haunting instrumental in the style of Civil War music.

The Parting Glass
Traditional Irish folk song (pre-Auld Lang Syne!)

Auld Lang Syne
Classic New Years Eve party song.

Time To Say Goodbye (Con Te Partiro)
Beautiful Italian classical crossover song. Performed by Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman.

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Ashokan Farewell by Jay Ungar

This song is part of the Civil War soundtrack, and composed in the style of 1800s American folk music. Jay Ungar designed it as a lament, which was a style of music prevalent back then.  You'll feel your mood change from the haunting start to the more hopeful finish.  Enjoy!

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The Parting Glass

This is a traditional Irish goodbye song, often sung with friends, similar to Auld Lang Syne.

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

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

If I had money enough to spend,
And leisure time to sit awhile,
There is a fair maid in this town,
That sorely has my heart beguiled.
Her rosy cheeks and ruby lips,
I own she has my heart in thrall,
Then fill to me the parting glass,
Good night and joy be with you all."

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Auld Lang Syne

Lyrics:
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and old lang syne?

CHORUS:
For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we'll take a cup of kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

And surely you’ll buy your pint cup!
and surely I’ll buy mine!
And we'll take a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

CHORUS

We two have run about the slopes,
and picked the daisies fine;
But we’ve wandered many a weary foot,
since auld lang syne.

CHORUS

We two have paddled in the stream,
from morning sun till dine;
But seas between us broad have roared
since auld lang syne.

CHORUS

And there’s a hand my trusty friend!
And give us a hand o’ thine!
And we’ll take a right good-will draught,
for auld lang syne.

CHORUS

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Time To Say Goodbye
(Con Te Partiro)

You don't need to understand Italian to appreciate this utterly beautiful song. The translation below lends itself to an interpretation new beginnings and saying goodbye to the past.
It takes you to far off lands and seas where there is only the intertwining of two hearts on a ship, sailing into eternity:

"When I'm alone
dreaming of the horizon,
Words fail.
Yes, I know there is no light;
Even in a sunlit room,
when you are not here with me, with me.
At the window,
I reveal my heart to all,
so you can have,
from deep within me,
the light you'll see on your way.
Time to say goodbye...
I'll go with you,
to places we'd never known,
Time to say goodbye...
I'll go with you
on ships across seas,
which I know,
no, no, exist no longer...
It's time to say goodbye...
Yes, now we'll experience life."

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