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"'Danny Boy'" is a celtic folk song, whose lyrics are set to the Irish tune Londonderry Air. The lyrics were originally written for a different tune in 1910 by Frederick Weatherly, an English lawyer who never actually visited Ireland, and modified to fit Londonderry Air in 1913. The first recording was made by Ernestine Schumann-Heink in 1915. Weatherly gave the song to Elsie Griffin, who made it one of the most popular in the new century. Weatherly later suggested in 1928 that the second verse would provide a fitting requiem for the actress Ellen Terry.
The song is widely considered an Irish anthem, and the tune is used as the anthem of Northern Ireland at the Commonwealth Games, even though the song's writer was not Irish, and the song was and is more popular outside Ireland than within. It is nonetheless widely considered by Irish Canadians/Americans to be their unofficial signature tune. It is frequently included in the organ presentation at Irish-American funerals.
Though the song is supposed to be a message from a woman to a man (Weatherly provided the alternative "Eily dear" for male singers in his 1918 authorized lyrics [1]), the song is actually sung by men as much as, or possibly more often than, by women. The song has been interpreted by some listeners as a message from a parent to a son going off to war or leaving as part of the Irish diaspora.

Contents

Lyrics

Recordings

In popular culture

Books

References

External links

Lyrics

:Oh Danny Boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling
:From glen to glen, and down the mountainside.
:The summer's gone, and all the roses falling
:'Tis you must go, 'tis you must go and I must bide.
:But come ye back when summer's in the meadow
:Or when the valley's hushed and white with snow,
:For I'll be here in sunshine or in shadow.
:Oh Danny Boy, oh Danny Boy, I love you so.
:And when ye come, and all the flowers are dying,
:If I am dead, as dead I well may be,
:Ye'll come and find the place where I am lying
:And kneel and say an Ave there for me.
:And I shall hear, though soft you tread above me,
:And o'er my grave shall warmer, sweeter be,
:And if you bend and tell me that you love me,
:Then I shall sleep in peace until you come to me.
Other authors have added an additional verse:
:But should I live, and should you die for Ireland,
:Let not your dying thoughts be all of me;
:But say a prayer to God for our dear Sireland
:That He may hear and help to set her free.
:And I shall take your pike and sword, my dearest
:And strike a blow, though weak that blow may be,
:To help the Cause to which your heart was nearest
:And you will sleep in peace until I come to thee."
''or''
:But should it be in battle strife that I am slain
:Don't let your dying prayer be all for me
:But say a prayer to God for our dear country
:That He may hear and surely set her free
:And I shall hear and pray with you my dearie
:And I'll strike a blow, yet weak that blow may be
:To help our cause, our hearts' desire, my dearie,
:And we shall rest in peace when Ireland is free
A television documentary, "In Sunshine or In Shadow", about the origins and history of the song was produced by Julian Lloyd in 1995 (broadcast on ITV in the UK and PBS in the US).

Recordings

★ A rather different version, only retaining the melody and one of the original verses, was recorded by Black 47 for their album Home of the Brave.

★ Joan Baez recorded the song as part of a medley, pairing it with Stephen Foster's "I Dream of Jeannie", on her 1975 album ''Diamonds & Rust''

★ Harry Belafonte recorded a version

★ Brobdingnagian Bards recorded it for their album ''Songs of Ireland'' (2002, Mage Records)

★ Tony Bennett recorded this, released on the 1987 Columbia CD, ''Jazz'', with Stan Getz on tenor sax, Herbie Hancock on piano, Ron Carter on bass, and Elvin Jones on drums.

★ Stian Carstensen (button accordion) and Iain Ballamy (tenor saxophone) Jazz duo, recorded a version in which their instruments metamorphose into the sound of an accordion on the album ''The Little Radio''

★ Johnny Cash on ''. Cash recorded an earlier version of this song on his 1965 album ''Orange Blossom Special'' remastered in 2002.

★ Eva Cassidy recorded a performance of the song on the album ''Imagine'' (2002)

★ Celtic Woman on their ''New Journey'' CD, 2005, EMI-Manhattan Records

★ Cher recorded it in 1969 on her ''Jackson Highway'' album

★ Charlotte Church, Welsh singer, recorded the song on her ''Voice of an Angel'' album (1999, Sony)

★ The Choirboys (boyband) recorded the song on their album 'The Choirboys' (2005, Universal)

★ Eric Clapton recorded an instrumental version of this song.

★ Judy Collins sang it at her ''Live at Wolf Trap'' concert (released on DVD/CD in 2000)

★ Harry Connick Jr's 1999 big-band record ''Come By Me'' has a voice and piano take on this song Harry Connick Jr's character Daniel sings Danny Boy at a talent show in the movie ''Life Without Dick''. As a cast member in the 1990 World War II aviation film ''Memphis Belle'' he sings the song at a dance. It becomes the principal music theme of the film, particularly prominent in the harrowing ending and the end credits.

★ Sam Cooke recorded it on his ''Sam Cooke'' album on Keen Records (1958)

★ Bing Crosby recorded it for his ''Top O' the Morning'' album (re-released 1996, MCA)

★ Dennis Day, Irish tenor sang it several times as a regular on the Jack Benny television program

★ Bill Evans(jazz pianist) recorded a piano solo rendition of the tune (Londonderry Air) in 1962. It appears on the album ''Time Remembered'' and on ''Bill Evans: The Complete Riverside Recordings''. A gently swinging interpretation was recorded in 1994 by pianist Hank Jones and bass player Charlie Haden on their album "Steal Away".

★ Joe Feeney, Irish tenor, performed the song numerous times, both on ''The Lawrence Welk Show'' and in a 1964 recording

★ Tommy Fleming recorded it on his ''Contender'' album.

★ Joseph Flummerfelt arranged, conducted and recorded this piece with the Westminster Choir for the Spoleto Festival USA (Gothic Records inc. 1996)

★ Connie Francis on her ''Connie Francis Sings Irish Favorites'' album (1962, MGM)

★ The opening track on the eponymous debut album by young British singer Declan Galbraith

★ Helen Gallagher performed the song as her character Maeve Ryan, on the final episode of the ABC-TV soap opera ''Ryan's Hope'' on January 13, 1989

★ Judy Garland recorded it several times, once for her film ''Little Nellie Kelly'' (1940) MGM Records and again for her ''Miss Showbusiness'' album (1955, Capitol Records) and sang it live during her concerts in Dublin's famed Theatre Royal and at her now legendary New York Palace Theatre show. Her last recording of the song was in 1962 in London, for ''The London Sessions'' album again on the (Capitol) label.

★ Percy Grainger's setting of this tune (Londonderry Air) for wind orchestra was released on the British label Chandos as part of its series of the complete works of that composer

★ Great Big Sea recorded it for their live concert DVD ''Courage & Patience & Grit'' (2006)

★ House of Pain Hip hop Irish-American band on their ''Homonym'' album. "Danny Boy" is also the stage name of a member of this group.

★ Irish Tenors, group comprising Ronan Tynan, John McDermott and Anthony Kearns, recorded it on the ''Irish Tenors'' CD, Music Matters (1999)

★ Tom Jones sang it on the first episode of his weekly television show (February 1969) and recorded it on ''Las Vegas to London, the Best of Tom Jones Live'' CD on the Spectrum label (1999).

★ Brian Kennedy, recorded it on his ''Live in Belfast'' CD on Curb Records (2004)

★ Seamus Kennedy recorded this song, prefaced with a number of partial variations, on "By Popular Demand, Vol 1" (Gransha, 1993)

★ The King's Singers, a cappella version on the album ''Watching the White Wheat'' (1985)

★ Diana Krall performed the song with The Chieftains on their album ''Tears of Stone'' (1999 RCA)

★ Damien Leith, winner of Australian Idol 2006, featured an acoustic version of his homeland's traditional song on his debut album, ''Where We Land'' (2007 Sony BMG). The version also features Leith on guitar and was originally recorded for a fan.

★ Josef Locke recorded it numerous times throughout his career (available on several reissued CDs) .

★ Natalie MacMaster, Cape Breton fiddler, on her ''Yours Truly'' album (2006) with vocals by Michael McDonald

★ Performed by Irish-/Scottish-Canadian vocalist John McDermott during every performance

★ Glenn Miller did an instrumental version (Londonderry Air) in 1940

★ Mireille Mathieu, (French singer) recorded the French version titled ''L'enfant De L'Irlande'' on her ''Amoureusement Votre'' 3 CD box set on EMI/Virgin Records (2002)

★ Megan Mullally (Karen of ''Will and Grace'') recorded it on her album ''Big as a Berry''.

★ Ruby Murray on her ''When Irish Eyes Are Smiling'' album in the late Sixties (re-released 1997)

★ My Friend The Chocolate Cake recorded a chamber pop version for their 1991 album ''My Friend The Chocolate Cake'' (re-released 1995)

★ Willie Nelson on ''One From The Road'' (released in 1979; re-released on a compilation ''Stardust/Honeysuckle Rose/One From The Road'')

★ Sinéad O'Connor performed the song, adding a third (political) verse, on whistler and piper Davy Spillane's album ''The Sea of Dreams''

★ Daniel O'Donnell, most recently in 2006 on ''Greatest Hits'' CD on the DPTV Media label.

★ Mary O'Hara, Irish singer and harpist recorded it on her ''Song for Ireland'' CD on the Shanachie label (1993)

★ Maureen O'Hara Irish actress recorded it on her ''Maureen O'Hara Sings her Favourite Irish Songs'' album (1962, Columbia Records)

★ G4 on their ''Act 3'' CD (2006, White Rabbit)

★ Roy Orbison on his 1972 ''Memphis'' album

★ Korla Pandit. Appears on the compilation ''Remembering Korla Pandit'' .

★ Frank Patterson, recorded the song for his album ''Ireland in Song''. His voice is heard during a scene in the movie ''Miller's Crossing'' by Joel and Ethan Coen.

★ Elvis Presley recorded the song in 1976 during the Jungle Room Sessions at Graceland in Memphis, TN. The master take is available on From Elvis Presley Boulevard. Other takes are available on The Jungle Room Sessions and Platinum. The song was noted as one of his favourite songs and was played at his funeral.

★ The Pogues on the soundtrack ''Straight to Hell'', with Cait O'Riordan on vocals. Pogues frontman Shane Macgowan also recorded a version of the song with his solo band The Popes which appeared on their "Christmas Party E.P."

★ The Poxy Boggards on ''Whiskey Business'' (2006)

★ Ray Price had a top 10 hit on Billboard magazine's Hot Country Singles chart in 1967, and is an example of his Nashville Sound output

★ Carmel Quinn recorded it live on her ''Carmel Quinn at Carnegie Hall'' album (1970 Columbia/EMI )

★ Jim Reeves recorded it twice, A slow version for the Album ''Tall Tales and Short Tempers'' in 1960 and in 1961 he recorded a version that was released as a single. He always closed his shows with the song.

★ Paul Robeson recorded it in ''Ballad for Americans'' and ''Great Songs of Faith, Love and Patriotism''. Vanguard Records.

★ Elisabeth Schwarzkopf: 13.07.1958 Abbey Road Studios, London, England

★ Deirdre Shannon's version returns it to its simple best on her album ''Deirdre Shannon''

★ Brush Shiels, Irish rocker, performs a bluesy version on his album ''Fields Of Athenry'' (1988)

★ Carly Simon recorded it for her 1990 album ''My Romance''

★ Bryn Terfel on his album titled ''Bryn'' double CD Special Edition (2005)

★ Conway Twitty recorded a rockabilly version

★ Maureen Tucker of The Velvet Underground recorded it for her album ''Dogs Under Stress''

★ Ronan Tynan's solo rendition plays while photographs of several of the New York City firefighters who perished in the September 11, 2001 attacks are shown in the closing minutes of the documentary film ''9/11''

★ Sarah Vaughan, recorded it on her album ''It's A Man's World'' (original release: Mercury Stereo SR 611220; released as an audio CD on Verve label in April 2002)

★ Rufus Wainwright recorded on his ''Rufus Wainwright'' CD on Dreamworks Records (1998)

★ Hayley Westenra's 2007 UK album ''Treasure'' and the international counterpart ''Celtic Treasure'' include her rendition of the song.

★ Andy Williams recorded it on his ''Danny Boy'' album re-released as ''Andy Williams-Danny Boy/Wonderful World'' 2 CD set on the Collectible label (2002)

★ Jackie Wilson recorded two different versions. It was his mother's favorite song.

★ Wolfe Tones recorded it live on their ''Wolfe Tones The Troubles'' 2 CD set.

★ Keith Jarrett Appears as extra track on his ''Tokyo Solo'' DVD.

★ Link Wray recorded a version of this song in 1960.

★ Damien Leith, winner of Australian Idol 2006, recorded a raw version on his latest album ''Where We Land'' (2007)

In popular culture

★ ''Danny Boy'' was the theme song for the long running television show The Danny Thomas Show, aka ''Make Room For Daddy'', from 1953 to 1964. ^[1]

★ "Danny Boy" is mentioned in the lyrics of Chumbawamba's "Tubthumping".

★ A recurring theme throughout ''The Adventures of Lano and Woodley'', appearing as a jazz song and a campfire song, among others.

★ Sung by the Irish-American character Maureen McBain in the classic spaghetti western ''Once Upon a Time in the West'' by Sergio Leone, even though the movie was set before the song was written.

★ Sung by Dr. Zoidberg at Bender's fake funeral in "A Pharaoh to Remember" in an episode of ''Futurama''

★ The song is often used at funerals. It is parodied in the comedy ''Saved by the Bell'' at the funeral for Slater's lizard.

★ Sung by Barney Gumble in ''The Simpsons'' on the closing of Moe's Tavern in Mommie Beerest, due to excessive health code violations.

★ Sung by Eugene's father at his funeral in "Random Shoes", an episode of ''Torchwood''.

★ The 27th Lancers Drum and Bugle Corps used the piece to close out their competitive shows from 1971 to 1983 (excepting 1974 and 1978)

★ On The Beatles' 1970 final album ''Let It Be'', at the end of the track "One After 909", John Lennon plays the (uncredited) opening of the song with the altered lyrics "Oh, Danny Boy, the Isles of Ken are calling...".

★ The song was played by the The Grimethorpe Colliery Band in the 1996 movie ''Brassed Off'' when Pete Postlethwaite's character (coincidentally, named Danny) was in hospital.

★ Garrett Morris sang it in the traditional Irish tenor fashion dressed as a leprechaun on ''Saturday Night Live'', 3/18/1978.

★ ''Canadian Idol'' 2006 runner-up Craig Sharpe covered the song during the program and included a version on his February 2007 debut CD ''I Am''

★ Performed by "The Leprechaun Brothers" (Swedish Chef, Animal and Beaker on ''The Muppet Show'')

★ The song is featured in the New Zealand film River Queen, Silverscreen Films (2005) and is sung in both Māori and English.

★ "Danny Boy" is referenced near the end of the film Good Will Hunting (1997), which takes place in Irish South Boston.

★ In the 1997 HBO movie ''In the Gloaming'' directed by Christopher Reeve, Glenn Close's character Janet sings it to her son, Danny (played by Robert Sean Leonard), while husband Martin (David Strathairn) listens on.

★ Played in the film Miller's Crossing, in the scene when Albert Finney's Irish mob boss defends himself against an attempted hit by a rival gang.

★ Sung by comedian Peter Kay (who also invites the audience to join in with him) at the end of Live at the Bolton Albert Halls.

★ Sung by James in an episode of Spin City.

★ Sung by the Gross Sisters form the animated show The Proud Family, but the only part of the song sung was "Or when the valley's hushed and white with snow. For I'll be here in sunshine or in shadow.Oh Danny Boy, oh Danny Boy, I love you so."

★ Sung by The Question as he lay dying in DC Comics ''52''.

★ In the Torchwood episode, 'Random Shoes', the episode's central character Eugene attends his own funeral, to see his father burst into a tearful rendition of the song.

★ Sung by Eustace and a eel in "The Magic Tree of Nowhere" a episode of Courage the Cowardly Dog.

★ Sung by Renee Elise Goldberry on the ABC show One Life To Live at the character John McBaine's funeral

★ A version was sung by the Order of the Stick's Elan in strip number 445.

Books

★ ''Danny Boy: The Legend of the Beloved Irish Ballad'' ISBN 0-451-20806-4 by Malachy McCourt

References

★ Danny Boy — the mystery solved
1. Classic TV, ISBN 0-7935-4762-8, 1996, published by Hal Leonard Corporation

External links

★ The Legend and History of the Song 'Danny Boy'

★ The Danny Boy Festival

★ Malachy McCourt Interview re ''Danny Boy''

★ http://martindardis.com/id290.html Lyrics chords and video of Danny Boy