The Parting Glass

The tenth piece in the concert is entitled The Parting Glass. It is subtitled “Irish Folk Song”. Dedicated to Master Sergeant Matthew J. Carmichael and the United States Army Ceremonial Band, it was written in 2023 by Robert Sheldon (see below).

From the composer:

“Irish folk tunes have always been a genre of music which I have found easy to love, and I doubt I am alone in those feelings. The music is typically quite singable, memorable, and has a way of tugging at our heartstrings. It was for these reasons that I was so pleased to be invited to write a setting of this gorgeous tune for the United States Army’s Ceremonial Band to be performed at Arlington National Cemetery. The Drum Major for this outstanding musical unit of “Pershing’s Own”, Master Sergeant Matthew J. Carmichael, is the son of my lifelong friend, Dr. John Carmichael. The world of music is filled with joyous connections to people and music we love!

The setting for Ceremonial Band had to meet very specific needs and parameters for that ensemble, but the experience of arranging this lovely melody inspired me to write a full arrangement for concert band, something that Matthew suggested. The second half of the piece incorporates some of the original material I used for the Army Band’s rendition.”

The lyrics are as follows:

Of all the money that e’er I had

I spent it in good company,

And all the harm that e’er I did,

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 to you all!

Of all the comrades that e’er I’ve 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 fell into my lot

that I should rise and you should not,

I’ll gently rise and I’ll softly call:

Good night and joy be to you all.

Fill to me the parting glass,

and gather as the evening falls,

And gently rise and softly call:

Good night and joy be to you all.

Composer Robert Sheldon (b. 1954) has taught instrumental music in the Florida and Illinois public schools, and has served on the faculty at Florida State University where he taught conducting and instrumental music education classes, and directed the university bands. As Concert Band Editor for Alfred Music Publishing, he maintains an active composition and conducting schedule, and regularly accepts commissions for new works. Sheldon received the Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of Miami and the Master of Fine Arts in Instrumental Conducting from the University of Florida.

An internationally recognized clinician, Sheldon has conducted numerous Regional and All-State Honor Bands throughout the United States and abroad. His teaching career included 28 years in the Florida and Illinois public schools as well as at the University of Florida, Florida State University, Illinois Central College and Bradley University. He also held positions as conductor of the Alachua County Youth Orchestra in Gainesville, Florida and the Prairie Wind Ensemble in East Peoria, Illinois.

The music for The Parting Glass was provided for the band by Barbara and David Cotton.