General Martin Dempsey, 18th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, sing "Parting Glass" at his Sept. 25, 2015 retirement ceremony closing out 41 years of military service.
You can find prettier voices singing that song on RU-vid, but you won’t find any rendition delivered with more emotion or symbolism. Well done, sir. Garryowen!
There is something about the dignity this man displays that is refreshing and heart warming. The way he sings and walks away with grace. He walks immediately into the warm embrace of his family and shows the love and gentleness that only a true man can show. General Dempsey is a model of American exceptionalism untarnished by jingoism or the savagery of our politics. We need more people like him.
Your comments made me cry Niles. You are, as the General is, a true Patriot. Our poor country is in pain and sorrow, but all of us Patriots, will remain true.
I don't disagree with what you said about the man, but there is no such thing as American exceptionalism other than the belief in it. Never in the history has it been good for yourself or others when people thought of their own country as so superior to others.
@@TK-ve1uo I completely disagree with you. I'm old enough to remember America when it helped other nations. We had much better people running this country. You have NO idea about our history do you? Do you have ANY idea how much Americans have accomplished in our relatively short history? Not one other country has fought for their freedom and died fighting for it, to break away from a country which was tyrannical. I've traveled all over this world and meet tons of people who want to live here. They know America is the last free country there is and we're the only ones who have guns to fight tyranny with - my guess is you were taught to hate America and that should never be.
@@tomdonohue2091 Speaking of a lack of education in history: Are you sure that no other country has fought for their freedom and died (I assume you are referring to citizens of said country) fighting for it? Dozens of countries have done so, from your neighbours in Central and South America over countries like the Netherlands and Belgium to the majority of countries in Africa. So what you are saying there is utter nonsense. The same goes for the claim that America is the "last free country". Is it though? To quote from one of the best TV scenes ever produced about this question: "Canada has freedom. Japan has freedom. The UK, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Australia - Belgium has freedom. So, 207 sovereign states in the world, like, 180 of them have freedom." So, no, the US is very much not the last free country. Though, of course, you are free in a lot of ways when you live in the US. You are a lot more free to be shot when you go to school in the morning than in most other countries, since people like you love their guns so much. You are a lot more free to go bankrupt when you get sick, because for some reason, while most civilised nations have a decent public healthcare system, such thing seems to be dangerous socialism to a sizeable number of Americans. The same goes for when you want a decent university education. Oh, and, of course, you are free to join the military and die while bringing a lot of other countries "freedom", often with, let's say, questionable reasoning, when you are just 18 years old - but please don't drink or smoke at that age, because that freedom only starts when you are 21. So, no, Sir, you are very much not the most free country in the world, let alone the last free one.
@@TK-ve1uo So sad to hear someone compare the American Revolution, and the enormous prosperity and individual freedom Americans enjoyed for over 200 years, to the Communist take-overs in Cuba, Venezuela. Just because you can call those national tragedies "revolutions" hardly warrants their comparison. But you, BLM and Antifa are now our future, and real men like General Dempsey will get written out of our history by your ilk.
I'm definitely not crying. I'm so glad and grateful as an Irish man to hear the music being played with this convection. Raise up and joy be to you all. For all those who don't know, this song is somewhat written by the individual who passed away and written for you. Song to be played after a funeral, drink from the parting glass and last final goodbye, drink while the spirit rises to heaven. Main point is why should you be sad? Have joy, why? While the spirit gently rises, so should you rise. Until we meet again. God bless to you all from Ireland.
Well said Siobhan. As an ex member of the Irish army I salute you General Martin Dempsey. You are making many people very proud to be Irish. Not easy to walk away. " Old soldiers never die, they just fade away"
I swear this is a scene straight out of the ending of a movie. The way it started a capella, then harmonies, then the band came in, took over when he finished, the chorus came in, and all his grandkids came over, and he finished at attention with a salute. Someone put this scene in a movie please. Amazing
And he leaves with his children and Grand Children, Thank Your for your service Sir, and we wish you could stay but just one more day. A Job Well Done & God's Speed.
As an Irish emigrant that served in the US Army for over 20years and a Irishman that still feels the pull of Ireland this brought me to the verge of tears. I plan on this being sung at my parting from this world.
I am a Canadian , an immigrant from Ireland, and just chanced upon this very moving video. How remarkable to see something so uplifting in our divided North America of today. You have a fine voice sir. May the road rise to meet you, May the wind be always at your back, The sun shine warm upon your face, The rain fall soft upon fields, And in the years ahead, May God hold you in the palm of his hand. SLAINTE.
Often watch this video of a great Irishman, soldier, citizen and family man. Think he is the nearest thing to Setanta or Cu Chulainn that I can imagine. Many happy and healthy years of retirement to you Gen Dempsey from an Irish admirer.
THANK YOU! You made my day - I'm one of those who is of Irish descent. I was born a Murphy, adopted by the Garrick family and married a Donohue, I think that might make me triple Irish?? LOL - blessings to you, with love from California, USA! I am proud to be Irish and proud of our accomplishments.
@@bannedinchina A lot of Scottish and Irish songs have melodies in common. You should know this. After all, the Gaelic aspect of Scottish culture hailed originally from Ireland. Allow our intertwining cultures to evolve freely down the generations. Stay safe and well.
From that first day on the Plain, 1 July, 1970, until his retirement, Marty gave his best in every challenge he faced. Those that served with him loved him.
Way to go General Dempsey, and a nice tip of the hat to his Irish Catholic roots with this heartfelt and beautiful old Irish traditional song. Thank you for your 41 years of service in the United States Army and for my freedom. Slainte and HAIL HAIL!
My Irish blood is stirring at this beautiful farewell. Thank you, General Dempsey, for serving our country while bringing honor to Irish Americans. I am grateful that our culture has flourished, even though many of us are generations removed from our ancestral homeland. God bless you and keep you always, Sir.
6 years later, this is raising goosebumps, tears, and gratitude for General Dempsey, who serve the United States so honorably, and those like him. What an incredible ceremony; I loved the expressions on the faces of the soldiers as they listened to him sing. Duty, honor, country... an exemplary, distinguished soldier. Thank you for your service, and for the service and sacrifice of your family.
@@TheMBDESIGNSTUDIO Ahh! shaddup! are you a UKIP troll by any chance? God bless the EU...Ireland would still be in the poverty stricken 1950s without it.
@@johnprice7303 Ahh! shaddup yourself , No I am certainly not a UKIP supporter. UKIP are an ultra conservative bunch of British loyalists and I am an Irish Republican. And please don't comment on things you clearly don't understand. Ireland has contributed over 200 Billion to the EU through our fishier treaties alone. Ireland’s net gain from EU budgets has been €44.6 billion since 1976. It was our membership of the EU that allowed the ECB to force us to pay German French and the UKs bank losses, losses which had nothing to do with us as a people as we would not have gained a single cent from had the investments been successful here. losses that those countries banks would have had to take on the chin had we been out of the EU. In 2006 our national debt was 26 Billion Now our national debt stands over 220 Billion 90% of which is from our EU loving politicians committing to pay off the EU's Debt. Their Debt not Ireland's. As I said at the start Shaddupp until you educate yourself.
I'm a proud Irish man and I've heard this fine song being sung many many times before .. wheather it was a know artist or a guy down in the local pub...but this version is the best I've ever heard.. God Bless you and your family
Let's just enjoy a fine performance and leave it at that. The reception he receives from his children and grandchildren speaks volumes about his merit.
I've been singing that song for 30 years and I've heard a hundred people sing it and that was one of the best renditions I've heard. Bravo!! well sung General!!
A true Irish Warrior, facing his future with courage in his heart, eye's focused on the horizon, and a song on his lips ! He chose the perfect song to end one part of his life and begin another. Slainte !
Fucking legend. Not only does he have the respect and love of all that served under him, look at how his family surrounded him. That's a true man if I've ever seen one.
I think it is the highest honor for a soldier to be able to celebrate such a ceremony when leaving the military service. Thank you for your many years of service to the nation.
Saw him in the mess hall at camp Doha Kuwait prior to the invasion if I knew he could sing like that I would have belted out a few Irish ☘️ tunes with him. Thank you for your service general Dempsey. SSG BYRNE. 🇺🇸
I love seeing his grandkids run up and hug him. Little kids don’t do that unless they feel loved by and safe with that person. So I’ll belatedly raise a parting glass and wish you, General, a retirement filled with joy and happiness. Here’s also a huge thank you for your service to our country.
i have watched this so many times and this man is so impressive about the USA - I am an old scottish woman and I know this a very Irish feeling so I think it is connected to the Celtic nations Liam Clancy does a brilliant version x
UK OK no one cares about the UK. Be quiet, Ireland 🇮🇪 is spreading his beautiful, noble magic throughout the world. Your empire’s dead, your country a joke of a mess. That western isle you dared trouble has risen above all your hatred. Éire go brágh 💪💪🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 the ONLY ‘Special Relationship’
@@superstarshaker7402 It is a beautiful song, and very appropriate. This beautiful Scottish song, so well loved in Ireland is a wonderful parting song.
this is the America i love! So heartwarming to see the bond he has with his soldiers and how he walks off to his family, with his kids (Grandchildren?) running towards him hugging him
Yes it is just so beautiful when he is met with all his grand kids. So obvious that there is something sweet and nice about this man. Yes, I am impressed by him, he is so good
Yes it is the beauty of America, (while I write this I hear America the Beautiful in my ears) , not the nastiness that we have recently seen in the election. We know that this is the USA that we love.
So, what you may notice that if the children running up there is a little girl who kind of runs up a bit later. This is not one of his children, but the child of one of a soldier who died in training and whose family he helped out. It’s a tender moment for the child and shows his greatness that he is comfortable having a non family member join him at that time.
Joined the Navy at 18 with 7k in the bank. I did janitorial and smoked a lot of pot in high school. Left the Navy after months with 32k in the bank. Invested 29k in the S&P in late 90. Started working at UPS, Exide Battery and did concrete on Saturdays. Invested 12k a month every month into Blockchain Investments Firm doing bitcoin mining, Cashed out 250k from the S&P and invested with my Financial advisor Lyra Holt Dean(Look her up). Cashed out and Semi retired at 31. Took a year off. Traveled. Came home and started working part time for the insurance, entertainment and pocket change. Work isn't work when you don't have to work. Becoming wealthy can be done in few years. It feels like 60hr work weeks. Feel the pain of discipline early or feel the pain of regret later. I wish everyone well!
I've actually been looking to invest aggressively in index and ETFs, I live in San Francisco and I only have 85k to spend but I don't have any financial education for it and lack smart mentors. Btw, I've just googled Lyra Holt Dean. WOW! she has good qualifications, I wrote her on her webpage and I'm waiting on her reply. I'm excited to get started and see how far i go in 2-5 years time. Thanks for sharing
Thank you Sir, as an old sweat nearing retirement myself after 42 years service, I only wish I had the voice to sing my favourite song like yourself... God bless You. Lt Col (soon retired)Monty Ulsterman
I salute you general. Great song,respect. God bless you and hope you are enjoying your retirement. Sláinte....from the Emerald Isle ☘️🇮🇪☘️🇮🇪☘️🇮🇪☘️🇮🇪☘️🇮🇪
my sister who lives in US told me about this .You have a fine voice I'm listening to this In my home in Ireland and it's beautiful . Thankyou for your years of service and enjoy it in good health.
I love these versions of this song, where a regular voice sings with the heart this song was meant to be sung with. And I've never known an Irishman who couldn't find and sing the real character of a song! ❤️
And with him goes 4 decades of hard-earned knowledge. Lessons we'll have to relearn both here and in Europe I'm afraid. Thank you for your enduring service, fair winds and following sea, Sir!
Just going down the road...not retiring. I love this, as my father retired as a CMSgt with 30 years in the Air Force.and my husband as a Colonel with 20 years of service. I am so proud of both.
The Parting Glass is a Scottish traditional song, sung at the end of a gathering of friends. It had also long been sung in Ireland, where it remains popular today. It was recorded in the Skene Manuscript, which is a collection of Scottish airs written at various dates between 1615 and 1635.
As I watch this in 2020 it gives me faith in our military that dedication to service to country is not lost. As I think of the veterans I know I give thanks for their service and wish them well.
You will be missed not only by all the branches of the military but also by all the civilians who served under your leadership. Keep singing and enjoy your retirement, sir.
After picking up an elusive earworm after hearing Dr Marshland sing this in the BBC's 'Cranford', I've been listening to many versions on YT, but this the most glorious and moving I've found, what a moment! When he walks off and his grandchildren run to meet him... I'm not Irish but I'm choked up too!
What a fine voice! A great gentleman and a distinguished officer. We thank you for your service and your song, General. Our country is in your debt and grateful.
