The Parting Glass is a Scottish traditional folk song, typically sung at the end of a gathering of friends. The ‘parting glass’ or ‘stirrup cup’ was the final hospitality offered to a departing guest. Once they had mounted their horse, they were presented one final drink to fortify them for their travels. While exact lyrics vary, the opening stanza gives an insight into the reflective, almost melancholy nature of the song:

Of all the money that 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 to you all

In this arrangement, a solitary solo horn the melody, before the harmony is introduced by a lower band quartet. A sweet soprano cornet continues the melody atop cup muted cornets and ‘music box’ tuned percussion. before the solo horn finishes the phrase. A dark moment of sombre reflection then takes place, before the melody is reprised by the full band in expansive, dramatic climax. The texture and dynamic fade away, with a solo feature for the euphonium, before the solo horn ends the piece alone, fading away to nothing.

This arrangement of The Parting Glass is dedicated to Lydney Town Band.