Page 97
Roud Folk Song Index #1801
This is a Parting Song, and as such is usually only sung when the Bards are finished performing. Calling for a parting song is taken as a call to “pack it up and go home” and in this way, is bitter sweet.
Here's a Health to the Company
by trad
Kind [Dm] friends and com-[F] panions, come [C] join me in [Dm] rhyme
Come [Dm] lift up your [F] voices in [F] chorus with [C] mine.
Let us [Dm] drink and be [F] merry, all [F] grief to re-[C] frain,
For we [Dm] may and might [F] never all [C] meet here a-[Dm] gain.
So here’s a health to the company, and one to my lass.
Let us drink and be merry all out of one glass.
Let us drink and be merry all grief to refrain,
For we may and might never all meet here again.
Here’s a health to the wee lass that I love so well.
For style and for beauty there’s none can excel;
She smiles on my countenance as she sits on my knee.
Sure, there’s no one on earth who’s as happy as me.
Our ship lies at harbor, she’s ready to dock;
I wish her safe landings without any shock.
And if ever we should meet again by land or by sea,
I will always remember your kindness to me.
[Additional Verse heard on Owain Phyfe’s version of this song from his al-
bum Poets, Bards, & Singers of Song]
My footsteps may falter, my wit, it might fail
my course may be challenged by November gale
their fortune shall prove to be friend or be foe
you will always be with me wherever I go.
Come [Dm] lift up your [F] voices in [F] chorus with [C] mine.
Let us [Dm] drink and be [F] merry, all [F] grief to re-[C] frain,
For we [Dm] may and might [F] never all [C] meet here a-[Dm] gain.
So here’s a health to the company, and one to my lass.
Let us drink and be merry all out of one glass.
Let us drink and be merry all grief to refrain,
For we may and might never all meet here again.
Here’s a health to the wee lass that I love so well.
For style and for beauty there’s none can excel;
She smiles on my countenance as she sits on my knee.
Sure, there’s no one on earth who’s as happy as me.
Our ship lies at harbor, she’s ready to dock;
I wish her safe landings without any shock.
And if ever we should meet again by land or by sea,
I will always remember your kindness to me.
[Additional Verse heard on Owain Phyfe’s version of this song from his al-
bum Poets, Bards, & Singers of Song]
My footsteps may falter, my wit, it might fail
my course may be challenged by November gale
their fortune shall prove to be friend or be foe
you will always be with me wherever I go.