Dirge

After my uncle’s death, his daughters and his widow remembered that I had sung Amazing Grace at my grandmother’s funeral in 1999.  I am almost certain that I did not, but the history goes so.  And so, when my Aunt Sheila asked if I would sing at her late husband’s memorial service, I said I would.  Instead of the expected song of salvation, I chose to sing “The Parting Glass,” which I heard for the first time on an album by The Pogues and, later, a rendition by Ed Sheeran.  For my uncle I composed a third and fourth verse to perform for my uncle’s family and friends.  

Of all the money that e’er I had

I’ve spent it in good company

And all the harm that e’er I’ve done

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 with you all

Of all the comrades that e’er I had

They are sorry for my going away

And all the sweethearts that e’er I had 

They would ask me one more day to stay

But since it falls unto my lot 

That I should rise and you should not

I’ll gently rise and I’ll softly call

Good night and joy be with you all

There was a man from Oklahom’

His daughters legend beauties both

Twas rare to meet so blessed a man

For Fortune’s daughter he betrothed

She stood by him through ill and well

A better partner ’tis rare to find

But the lord has taken Lynn Allen Hughes

And alas his Sheila is left behind

The march of time brings heroes forth 

In seasons of necessity

All acts of kind love’s sacrifice

A perspective only God can see

Recalled to him young noble soul

Crossed through the door in the blue sky’s wall

For our Lynn we fill the parting glass

Good night and joy be with you all

Joshua Hughes

21.February.2014