About the song
“Danny Boy” is a song that has been woven into the fabric of history, its melody and lyrics evoking emotions that transcend time and culture. Written by English lawyer Frederic Weatherly in 1910, the song’s words were initially set to a different tune, but it was not until 1913 that they were paired with the traditional Irish melody of “Londonderry Air”. This serendipitous union has resulted in a song that has become an iconic representation of Irish heritage and a symbol of longing and nostalgia.
The song’s history is as rich as its melody. Weatherly’s sister-in-law, Margaret Enright Weatherly, is credited with introducing him to the “Londonderry Air” melody, which she had heard as a child in California. The song’s popularity soared in the early 20th century, with Ernestine Schumann-Heink producing the first recording in 1915. Since then, “Danny Boy” has been recorded by countless artists, including Judy Garland, Bing Crosby, Al Hibbler, Harry Belafonte, and Elvis Presley, to name a few.
The song’s lyrics are a poignant expression of love and longing, with the speaker imploring Danny Boy to return from war, promising to wait for him until the summer’s in the meadow or the valley’s hushed and white with snow. The song’s meaning has been interpreted in various ways, with some seeing it as a message from a parent to a son going off to war, while others view it as a universal expression of love and devotion.
“Danny Boy” has been used in numerous films, television shows, and stage productions, including the iconic 1990 film “Miller’s Crossing” and the popular British period drama “Mr. Selfridge”. The song’s enduring popularity is a testament to its timeless appeal, with its melody and lyrics continuing to evoke emotions and inspire new generations of music lovers.
In conclusion, “Danny Boy” is a song that has become an integral part of our cultural heritage, its melody and lyrics a powerful expression of love, longing, and nostalgia. Whether sung by a solo artist or a chorus of voices, “Danny Boy” remains a timeless classic that continues to captivate audiences around the world.
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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 flowers are dying’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.
And if you come, when all the flowers are dying
And I am dead, as dead I well may 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 will warm and sweeter be
If you’ll not fail to tell me that you love me
I simply sleep in peace until you come to me.