Irish Ballads: 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

'Tis you, '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

'Tis I'll be here in sunshine and in shadows

Oh Danny Boy, oh Danny Boy, I love you so.

But when he come, and all the flowers are dying

If 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 grave will warm and sweeter be

  For you will bend and tell me that you love me

 And I will sleep in peace until you come to me.

This is one of my very favourite songs! I'm in a very Irish mood today, and I thought that with St. Patrick's Day fast approaching (even though it's still several weeks away), it would be very fitting to do a post about this very lovely song.

    'Danny Boy' is a ballad written by English songwriter Frederic Weatherly and is usually set to the Irish tune of "Londonderry Air". It was first published in 1913, and since then has been recorded by many different artists, including Judy Garland and Johnny Cash (when I saw that, my first thought was, really?)

    I particularly love this a cappela version sung by Celtic Woman:

It just takes your breath away, doesn't is? (I also loooove their dresses!) Celtic Woman is one of my very favourite musical groups and I think their version of this song is just gorgeous.

               Very Truly,

                   Emma Jane