7. 'The Parting Glass' - Emily Kinney And Lauren Cohan
Season 3, Episode 1 - Seed Despite Beth's singing being a point of contention among fans, here, it's excusable. The start of season 3 sees the survivors settling into the prison - with its large amounts of land, high fences and solid walls and cells, it appears to be the perfect haven in a ruthless world out to destroy them. Despite the fact that they have yet to clear it out, the survivors sit on the grass and, for the first time in a long while, seem to be happy (or at least, as happy is possible) and at ease. The prison promises new, good things for their future. People are making plans. The material goods finally seem to be coming back to them. That isn't the main reason Beth, and later Maggie's, song is so important to the mood and everything that comes after it however. 'The Parting Glass' is a song generally sung at the end of a gathering of friends and that is exactly what this is. Despite their losses and their troubles, the majority of their group has managed to continue to cling together and remain firm allies. The song itself may be rather solemn, but the message is clear. Everyone sits quietly around the fire, listening. It's especially poignant that this gathering of friends happens after they overcome one of their greatest challenges - the walker herd arriving at the farm, which took the lives of a few others and completely decimated their once seemingly impenetrable stronghold. Despite the fact that people like Carol were beginning to question Rick's leadership and his state of mind, this song comes as a means of solidifying their ties.