Danny Boy

~Mark 16:15~

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

One of my favorite things about Ireland and the celebration of St. Patrick's Day is the music. And my favorite of all Irish songs is Danny Boy. I first heard this song as a teenager when my mother, stepfather and I stopped to listen to an outdoors band that was playing. This particular day they were taking requests and my stepfather asked them to play this song, especially for me. And ever since that day this has been one of my favorite songs. And, in my opinion, no performer has ever sung it better than Jackie Wilson.

Lyrics

Oh Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling
From glen to glen, and down the mountain side
The summer's gone, and all the roses falling
'Tis you, 'tis you must go, and I must bide.

But come you back when summer's in the meadow
Or when the valley's hushed and white with snow
'Tis I'll be there in sunshine or in shadow
Oh Danny boy, oh Danny boy, I love you so.

But if you come, and all the flowers are dying
And if I am dead, as dead I may well be
You'll come and find the place where I am lying
And kneel and say an "Ave" there for me.
And I shall hear, tho' soft you tread above me
And all my dreams shall warm and sweeter be
If you will bend and tell me that you love me
Then I will sleep in peace until you come to me.

History of Danny Boy

Traditional - Written By: Fred E. Weatherly
The words were written in the year 1910 and set to tune in 1913.
Copyright Unknown

There are several versions to the legend behind this song. One is that centuries ago when Ireland was divided into serfdoms, a battle raged. Unlike the present time, it was custom during those days for a king to lead his soldiers into battle. Legend has it that as an old king lay dying, drawing his last breath of life, he called his son, Daniel, to his bedside and explained to him that he must take his rightful place and lead his army into battle.

A second version tells of a man who had raised several sons. He saw each of them go off to battle to fight for their country and each of them gave the ultimate sacrifice and did not return home. Finally the time came for his youngest son, the most cherished of all, to follow in his brothers' footsteps and march off to battle. The old man called his son to his side and sang to him the words of "Danny Boy".

And lastly, another version has it as a love letter from a woman to a man (see Wikipedia, the free online magazine).

Regardless of which of these legends you choose to believe, if any, this song is a TRUE CLASSIC, and the beauty of the melody is endless!

This traditional tune is also used for two other songs that I know of:

Anthem of Northing Ireland, Londonderry Air
Gospel song, "He Looked Beyond My Fault" by Dottie Rambo (see below for lyrics)

He Looked Beyond My Fault Lyrics

Amazing Grace, shall always be my song of praise.
For it was grace that brought me liberty.
I do not know, just why He came to love me so.
He looked beyond my fault and saw my need.

I shall forever lift mine eyes to Calvary,
To view the cross, where Jesus died for me.
How marvelous, His grace that caught my falling soul.
He Looked beyond my fault and saw my need.

~Galations 5:1~

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

Guestbook

V I E W

S I G N

Graphic Acknowledgments

ABKL Designs (abkldesigns.com)

The cloverfloat script used on this page provided by JS Made Easy

Last update: 2/8/2007
Bonny J. Sweat, Webmaster