Boygenius Honors Sinead O'Connor with an Intimate Rendition of Traditional Folk Ballad 'The Parting Glass'
Phoebe Bridgers and her Boygenius bandmates pay a heartfelt tribute to the iconic Sinead O'Connor with a soul-stirring rendition of the classic folk song 'The Parting Glass' Join them as they beautifully honor the late O'Connor in their annual holiday cover
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Nearly five months after the death of Sinéad O’Connor, Boygenius celebrated the music icon by covering a song she recorded 20 years ago.
Phoebe Bridgers has collaborated with her bandmates Lucy Dacus and Julien Baker as well as Irish folk duo Ye Vagabonds for her annual holiday cover. Together, they have recorded a beautiful rendition of the traditional Scottish and Irish song, "The Parting Glass," which was previously covered by O'Connor in 2002. As with Bridgers' previous holiday covers, the proceeds from this single will be donated to charity. Specifically, the O'Connor estate has chosen the Aisling Project, an after-school program for children and young people in Dublin, Ireland, to benefit from the sales of "The Parting Glass."
The selection of this song provides a subtle tribute to O'Connor, who sadly passed away on July 26 at the age of 56. "The Parting Glass" is a farewell song sung for and dedicated to close friends. In Irish tradition, the titular glass signifies a final drink before parting ways. The lyrics of the song include poignant lines such as, "So fill to me the parting glass / And drink a health whate'er befall / And gently rise and softly call / Good night and joy be to you all."
Bridgers penned a poignant tribute to O’Connor in the wake of her passing. In an essay for Rolling Stone, the "Kyoto" singer expressed, "She faced isolation in numerous aspects of her life, and many perceived her as a grouchy individual. It is an incredibly sorrowful and heartrending narrative. Behind every renowned woman, there are countless instances of rape and death threats. She made a significant sacrifice for women, musicians, and those who hold steadfast beliefs. Unfortunately, she received little recognition for her contributions."
Bridgers praised O'Connor, stating that she truly embodied the essence of being a musician and standing up for one's beliefs. In today's world, people are often influenced by societal norms and simply conform without questioning. However, O'Connor was different. She empowered others, including Bridgers, to take a stand and express themselves freely.
While authorities have not publicly shared the cause of O'Connor's death, they have clarified that it is not considered suspicious. They responded to a call reporting an unresponsive woman at a residential address, and unfortunately, O'Connor was pronounced dead at the scene.
The year has been exceptional for Boygenius, and their performance of “The Parting Glass” serves as a remarkable conclusion. The release of The Record in March contributed to their success, garnering them an impressive total of six Grammy nominations. Among these nominations, "Not Strong Enough" has been recognized for Record of the Year, Best Rock Song, and Best Rock Performance. Additionally, The Record is in the running for Album of the Year and Best Alternative Album. Another noteworthy nomination for Boygenius is their song "Cool About It," which is contending for Best Alternative Music Performance.
Bridgers scored a separate nomination for her work with SZA. Their “Ghost in the Machine” collab is up for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.
