Danny Boy is an old Irish song made up of an extremely old tune “The Londonderry Air” retrofit with lyrics from an Englishman Fredrick Weatherly in 1910, re-worked in 1911. That being said Danny Boy really is either your favorite Irish song or your worst nightmare. This double persona I believe grew from the popularity of Danny Boy when it was sung by the likes of Bing Crosby and Andy Williams, thus being very popular with the last generation of Irish Americans. The tune itself is full of booby traps when being attempted to be sung by everyday folk, and everyone thinks they know the words when in reality they love the tune (It’s a slow air and very soothing) and they know the first line. You may think that the author of this article may not be a fan of Danny boy, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. I grew up listening to this song, dubbed, “the Irish American National Anthem” and loved the old versions refered to above and continue to be impressed with the modern Irish and non Irish singers of the song today.
Rules for singing Danny Boy.
- For the most part sing it at your own party, or with a familiar group of friends.
- Know the words and the spots in the song that are a little challenging. (when songs get higher pitched sometimes it’s easier to go down instead of up)
- Regardless of your talent sing with enthusiasm and joy.
- never apologize for singing what you like.
- If there is an older person or someone who just loves the song and you know the words, let her rip.
- Defend this beautiful classic, A lot of people don’t like the National Anthem, tell them to get a life.
But come ye 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 when you 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 warmer, sweeter be
and you will bend and tell me that you love me
And I shall sleep in peace until you come to me.
Why the bad wrap? Danny boy suffers from it’s popularity. Traditional Irish Musicians grew tired of being asked to sing it over and over again, to the point where they refused to give it the time of day. I can’t tell you how many times I’ll be talking to an Irish folk singer, when his main complaint was, “Can you play Danny Boy, Can you play Danny Boy, I’m so sick of Danny Boy”. I like the way The girls of the Ivy leaf traditional Irish band handle the Danny boy question. “Can we play Danny Boy, yes, if your an old fellow who loves the song, we know the words to Danny Boy, if you’re drunk and just want to hit on us and Danny Boy is the only irish song you know then no we never heard of it.”
Danny Boy is a ballad set to the tune of a slow air which by definition is a slow melodic walk down the road for most musicians, Most traditional Irish bands strengths lie in the lively jigs and reels, or hornpipes, and an occasional air thrown in, if you are listening to a true irish music session then it is unrealistic to expect such a ballad to be part of the play. The Irish folk singers are more apt to play this classic Irish song especially if they to enjoy the song.
When my Father Daniel passed away in the month of March some 18 years ago, after all was said and done my sister and I stopped by a local restaurant to get a bite to eat. As we finished our meal The Juke box plays out Danny Boy through it’s speakers. My sister fought back the tears and I had to laugh, I was sure the old man planned it that way.
Cheers.
