Here's a Health to the Company
Lyrics and music Traditional

Performed by The Brobdingnagian Bards on A Faire to Remember
Performed by Howl-O on Ren-Ditions
Performed by Joni Minstrel on Joni Minstrel Kicks the King
Performed by Seelie Court on The Court Is Now In Session
Performed by The Burly Minstrels on This Is the Chorus



Kind friends and companions, come join me in rhyme
Come lift up your voices in chorus with mine
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 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
Her style and her beauty, sure none can excel
There's a smile upon her countenance as she sits on my knee
Sure there's no one in this wide world as happy as we

Our ship lies at harbor, she's ready to dock
I ohpe she's safe landed without any shock
If ever we should meet again by land of by sea
I will always remember your kindness to me

Alternate verses I have found on The 'Net:

I have read the old proverb, I have read it so true
My love she's as far as the bright morning dew
I have read the old proverb, I suppose so have you
So good friends and companions I bid you adieu.

My footsteps may falter my wit, it may fail
My course may be challenged by November gale
E'er fortune shall prove to be friend or be foe
You will always be with me wherever I go.

Background from Marc Gunn: I first heard this song at the West Texas Renaissance Fesitval. Admittedly, I didn't like it. After numerous requests and suggestions by Andrew, we decided to learn it. Andrew found a couple good recorded versions by artists he doesn't remember. Then we went to work and we love the resulting arrangement.

From The Donside Emigrant's Farewell (same melody):

Come all my old comrades, once more let us join
And raise your sweet voices in chorus with mine
Let us drink and be merry, from sorrow refrain
For we may and may never meet all here again

The time's fast approaching that I must away
I bid you adieu for many's the long day
With you, my dear comrades, so happy we've been here
But away to Virginia my course I must steer

May Heaven protect us with a prosperous gale
And be our safeguard while we are under sail
Lead us safe to the harbor across the proud wave
We will trust to His mercy who can sink or can save

Ye hills and low valleys of Donside, farewell
For if ever I return there is none here can tell
Farewell to your lasses of every degree
Long in vain will I wish for your sweet company

Farewell to the jewel, to you I love best
For you and your beauty excels all the rest
But if you prove constant as constant can be
Wherever I go, love, my heart is with thee

Many hearts will be happy, but mine will be sad
When I think on the joys that me and my love had
When I mind on the time that you sat on my knee
There was none in this world more happy than we

Farewell to my joys, they are gone for awhile
Cold winter's away and hte sweet summer smiles
I have heard an old proverb, found it to be true
That true love is better than gold from Peru

Come all my dear comrades, let's drink up our glass
Each lad drink a health to his darling sweet lass
Drink a health to each lover whose sweetheart is true
Here's a health, peace, and plenty, so farewell and adieu!