We live in a culture of fear. The human race is constantly bombarded by alarmists warning us that disaster is approaching. Many feel this great panic when thinking about climate change or the political future of our country. In a way, though, this calls us to action. Panic becomes a motivator, and spurs on inert citizens to wake up and change their lives. These citizens unite with others who share their vision and make true change. So, what are we so afraid of? Rather than wrestling with feelings of doom, we should seize the opportunity to come together and change our lives.

There are hundreds of ways to escape the feelings of endings and their inevitable dread, but there is one approach that dates back to our long-ago ancestors: music. Music, through the power of oral tradition, has provided an escape from our worst feelings and has solidified our best feelings. As Philip Bohlman poetically states in his book, The Study of Folk Music in the Modern World, music is a great provider in a “feeling of security for the listener” (Bohlman 2021, chap. 4).  

Music is undoubtedly relevant in every part of the world, but it takes on unique qualities in Ireland and Scotland. In certain Irish traditions, night songs, a parting song at the end of each night, have been used to ease the burden of goodbyes (Gilchrist 1924, 184). There are thousands of variations of these songs, some preserved through original sheet music, and some lyrics simply passed down from generation to generation, like the words of “The Parting Glass,” an exemplar of a night song. “‘The Parting Glass’ in Context,” closely examines the lyrics of night songs, as author A.G. Gilchrist describes the relative importance of words and their uniting powers (Gilchrist 1924, 184). Gilchrist includes both lyrical and notational examples of these songs, allowing each reader to develop a relationship with the words in the most personal way they can. In Irish folk, like “The Parting Glass,” there is a primary focus on developing interpersonal relationships within the words of the song. But, this idea of interpersonal relationships carries on to the singers. “The Parting Glass” depicts friends or family singing one final song together before their night ends. In the song, those who are singing are not fearing their departure, but rather enjoying each other’s company, a true example of embracing the end. 

Similarly, in “Songs of the Night,” the compilation of songs selected marks a chronology of a night in Ireland, providing experiences of storytelling and moments of appreciation. This hypothetical night-out in an Irish pub begins with exciting commonplace American pop songs, and concludes with the melodious, simple, and certainly recognizable “The Parting Glass.” The tradition of this song may have possible origins in Scotland, but the piece is primarily recognized in Irish contexts, and will be discussed as so (Graham 1789, 178). It is not uncommon to have a lack of information about these types of songs, according to George Farquhar Graham. Even with unknown origins, the traditions of the song remain strong and represent the overarching purpose of the song: to bring us together. 

“The Parting Glass” has had an abundance of small-scale performances in the thousands of years of its existence. But, in more recent years, multiple popular artists have reprised the song in a way that is recognizable and relatable to current generations. The popular artists to create these modern versions are majority female. Irish music was one of the first musical genres that had women participating alongside men (Slomiski 2020, 100). Women actively played instruments, like the fiddle in their bands, and did not simply watch the men create. This paved the way for the popular artists, like boygenius, Celtic Woman, and The Wailin’ Jennys to perform their modern versions. All of these modern versions contain a fresh new take, as illustrated in the piece, “Celtic Woman’s, ‘The Parting Glass.’” Celtic Woman’s performance has a completely positive and energized portrayal, as opposed to other slower and more reflective versions. While any interpretation is a valid interpretation, Celtic Woman's is an indication of the song's greater purpose. Celtic Woman performs in a way that does not have a fearful ending, but rather a perfect “bow” on the gift of their performance that leaves the audience leaning on their loved ones as they exit the venue.

Irish music extends beyond just the song. It incorporates movement and feelings, traditions, and requires continuous practice to maintain its legacy (ITMA 2023). Like other Irish music, “The Parting Glass,” extends beyond just a song. This song makes the toughest things easy. As noted in “‘The Parting Glass’ in Practice,” a series of interviews and stories of those who have interacted with the song, this piece takes the hardest goodbye, and turns it into something special, something that we welcome. It unites us all in these feelings of sorrow, and allows us to hold on to each other for one final moment, taking a mental picture of the people we love surrounding us.