Danny Boy Lyrics
Ella RobertsMusic Video
Danny Boy
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
It's you, it's 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
It's I'll be here in sunshine or in shadow
Oh Danny boy, oh Danny boy, I love you so.
[Instrumental]
But when ye come, and all the flow'rs 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 all my grave will warmer sweeter be
For you will bend and tell me that you love me
And I shall sleep in peace until you come to me.
[Instrumental]
And I shall sleep in peace until you come to me.
And I shall sleep in peace until you come to me...
Song Details
✍️ The Lyrics (1910-1913):
The lyrics were written by Frederic Weatherly, an English lawyer and prolific songwriter, in 1910. Interestingly, he originally wrote the words for a different tune, but they didn't gain much traction. In 1912, his sister-in-law in America (Margaret Enright Weatherly) sent him a copy of an Irish melody she had heard. Weatherly realized his 1910 lyrics fit the new melody perfectly, and he published the "Danny Boy" we know today in 1913.
🎶 The Melody: "Londonderry Air"
The tune is much older than the lyrics. It was first collected in 1851 by Jane Ross of Limavady, who heard a blind street musician play it. It was later published in The Ancient Music of Ireland (1855). Musicologists believe the melody may date back to the late 1700s, originally titled "Aislean an Oighear" (The Young Man’s Dream).
📝 Song Brief:
The song has been interpreted in a few different ways - a message from a parent to a son going off to war; a message to a son leaving the country as an emigrant; a woman awaiting for her loved one to return - even in death she will wait for him. Needless to say, this beautiful Irish song is one of the most popular Irish ballads of all time.
🍀 Genre: Irish Folk Song
👥 Covers: Celtic Woman, Celtic Thunder, Eva Cassidy, Andy Williams, Sinead O'Connor, Charlotte Church, The Pogues, Sarah Vaughan, Connie Francis, Judy Garland, Gracie Fields, Tom Jones, Roy Orbison, Jim Reeves, Elvis Presley, The Seekers, Harry Belafonte, and many others.
🎤 Featured Artist: Ella Roberts - Australian-born Celtic singer with Scottish and Irish ancestry.
💿 Album: Celtic Dreams
Released: 24 May, 2022
Country: Worldwide (XE)
Format: Digital Media
Label: The SongStore
🎸 If you'd like to play this song on guitar, you can view the chord version on our sister site, BellandCoMusic.com.
