A Happenstance Epiphany

[Morthoron]

I was reading snatches of Tolkien's translation of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight last night while watching Waking Ned Devine (Strange bedfellows, to be sure, but a sweet and funny movie nonetheless). During the closing credits of the movie the old song The Parting Glass was played, a version by Shaun Davy. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the tune, here is the version from the film...

http://youtube.com/watch?v=xDB87o-njFQ&feature=related

Anyway, I was finishing up the book some time later and came across the poem Gawain's Leave Taking. As I read, an air lilted along with the verse -- quite subconsciously at first -- but after awhile I began singing aloud (which caused some nervous consternation from my significant other). Ignoring the obvious concern for my sanity (she is unused to me breaking out in song during medieval readings), I grabbed a guitar and began playing Gawain's Leave Taking to the tune of The Parting Glass. The structure of the two pieces fit flawlessly.

I will be playing it at a bar near you soon.

For friendship and for favours good,
For meat and drink you heaped on me,
The Lord that raised was on the Rood
Now keep you comely company.
On sea or land where'er you be,
May he you guide that nought you grieve.
Such fair delight you laid on me
Against my will I take my leave.

Against my will although I wend.
I may not always tarry here;
For everything must have an end
And even friends must part, I fear;
Be we beloved however dear
Out of this world death will us reave,
And when we brought are to our bier
Against our will we take our leave.