Danny Boy
"Danny Boy" | |
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Song |
"Danny Boy" is a ballad written by English songwriter Frederic Weatherly and usually set to the Irish tune of the "Londonderry Air".[1] It is most closely associated with Irish communities.
History
Although initially written to a tune other than "Londonderry Air", the words to "Danny Boy" were penned by English lawyer and lyricist Frederic Weatherly in 1910. After his sister-in-law in the United States sent him a copy of "Londonderry Air", in 1913, Weatherly modified the lyrics of "Danny Boy" to fit the rhyme and meter of "Londonderry Air".[2]
Weatherly gave the song to the vocalist Elsie Griffin, who made it one of the most popular songs in the new century; and, in 1915, Ernestine Schumann-Heink produced the first recording. of "Danny Boy"
Jane Ross of Limavady is credited with collecting the melody of "Londonderry Air" in the mid-19th century from a local fiddle player.
Usage
"Danny Boy" is considered to be an unofficial signature song and anthem, particularly by Irish Americans and Irish Canadians.[3]
The song is popular for funerals; but, as it is not liturgical, its suitability as a funeral song is sometimes contested.[4] In 1928, Weatherly himself suggested that the second verse would provide a fitting requiem for the actress Ellen Terry.
Meaning
There are various theories as to the true meaning of "Danny Boy".[5] Some listeners have interpreted the song to be a message from a parent to a son going off to war or leaving as part of the Irish diaspora. The 1918 version of the sheet music included alternative lyrics ("Eily Dear"), with the instructions that "when sung by a man, the words in italic should be used; the song then becomes "Eily Dear", so that "Danny Boy" is only to be sung by a lady". In spite of this, it is unclear whether this was Weatherly's intent.
Lyrics
(There are a number of variations on these 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 flow'rs are dying
'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 or in shadow
Oh, Danny boy, oh, Danny boy, I love you so.And if you come, and all the flowers are dying
If I am dead, as dead I well may be
I pray you'll 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 warm and sweeter be
And then you'll kneel and whisper that you love me
And I shall sleep in peace until you come to me.
- or I'll simply sleep in peace until you come to me.
- or And I shall rest in peace until you come to me.
- or Oh, Danny boy, oh, Danny boy, I love you so.[6]
Recordings
“Danny Boy” has been recorded various times by a variety of artists. Several versions performed by notable artists are listed below in chronological order.
Year | Artist | Release | Notes and/or Peak Chart Position |
---|---|---|---|
1939 | Gracie Fields | Shipyard Sally soundtrack | |
1940 1955 |
Judy Garland | Little Nellie Kelly soundtrack Miss Showbusiness soundtrack |
|
1940 | The Glenn Miller Orchestra | #17[7] | |
1946 | Deanna Durbin | Because of Him soundtrack | |
1950 | Al Hibbler | Danny Boy | #9[8] |
1957 | Sam Cooke | Sam Cooke | |
1959 | Conway Twitty | #10 (Hot 100) and #18 (R&B)[9] | |
1959 | Harry Belafonte | Live at Carnegie Hall, New York City. | |
1960 | Jim Reeves | Tall Tales and Short Tempers | |
1962 | Connie Francis | Connie Francis Sings Irish Favorites | |
1964 | Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles | Danny Boy | #76[10] |
1964 | The Seekers | The Seekers (a.k.a. Roving with The Seekers) | |
1965 | Johnny Cash | Orange Blossom Special | |
1965 | Jackie Wilson | #94 (Hot 100) and #25 (R&B).[11] One of his mother's favorite songs. | |
1967 | Ray Price | #60 (Hot 100) and #9 (Country)[12] | |
1967 | Sarah Vaughan | It’s a Man’s World | Original release: Mercury Stereo SR 611220; released as an audio CD on Verve label in April 2002. |
1969 | Cher | Jackson Highway | |
1969 | Tom Jones | Las Vegas to London: The Best of Tom Jones Live | |
1972 | Roy Orbison | Memphis | |
1975 | Joan Baez | Diamonds & Rust | |
1976 | Elvis Presley | From Elvis Presley Boulevard, Memphis, Tennessee | The song was one of Elvis's and his father Vernon's favorites and was played at Elvis' funeral. |
1987 | Tony Bennett | Jazz | Featuring Stan Getz on tenor sax, Herbie Hancock on piano, Ron Carter on bass, and Elvin Jones on drums. |
1990 | Carly Simon | My Romance | |
1994 | Barney O'Shamrock | Forty Shades of Green | |
1994 | Jerry Lee Lewis | The Locust Years...And the Return to the Promised Land | [13] |
1996 | Eric Clapton | Change the World | |
1998 | Sinéad O'Connor | The Sea of Dreams | Sinéad O'Connor performed the song, adding a third political verse, on whistler and piper Davy Spillane’s album The Sea of Dreams. |
1998 | Charlotte Church | Voice of an Angel | |
1999 | Harry Connick, Jr. | Come by Me | |
2000 | Judy Collins | Judy Collins sang it at her Live at Wolf Trap concert (CD & DVD). | |
2001 | The Irish Tenors | Ellis Island | The song would proceed to be re-released on the albums The Very Best of The Irish Tenors (2002), Heritage (2004), and Ireland (2010).[14] |
2002 | Andy Williams | Danny Boy | Re-released as Andy Williams-Danny Boy/Wonderful World 2 CD set on Collectables Records. |
2002 | Megan Mullally | Big as a Berry | |
2002 | Rubén Blades | Mundo | |
2002 | Johnny Cash | American IV: The Man Comes Around | |
2002 | Eva Cassidy | Imagine | |
2003 | Von Trapp Children | Volume 1 | |
2004 | Christy Moore | The Box Set 1964–2004 | |
2004 | Mormon Tabernacle Choir | America’s Choir | This arrangement was a cappella, and made by Mack Wilberg, then the associate director for the choir. He later made a second arrangement including orchestra as a bonus track for their 100th anniversary album while he was the chief director. |
2005 | Celtic Woman | Celtic Woman | |
2008 | Celtic Thunder | Act Two | |
2011 | Girls' Generation | 5 of Girls' Generation members (Taeyeon, Jessica Jung, Sunny (singer), Tiffany (South Korean singer) and Seohyun) recorded a studio version and performed this song at their First Japan Arena Tour and 2011 Girls' Generation Tour. | |
2012 | Celtic Thunder | Voyage II | |
2012 | Vocal Point | Lead Thou Me On: Hymns and Inspiration |
- Willie Nelson on One From the Road (released in 1979; re-released on a compilation Stardust/Honeysuckle Rose/One From The Road).
- Thin Lizzy included it in a medley of Irish tunes as part of the title track on their Black Rose: A Rock Legend album in 1979. Gary Moore and Phil Lynott often played the tune in jamming sessions in their early days. Under the name of Funky Junction, Thin Lizzy had previously recorded an instrumental version, titled Dan, on their Tribute to Deep Purple album in 1972.
In popular culture
- Sung by the crowd in The Boxer (1997) before the hyped-up boxing match where both Catholics and Protestants are present.
- Danny Boy, rendered in jazz style, was the theme song for the long-running television show The Danny Thomas Show, also known as Make Room for Daddy, from 1953 to 1964.[15]
- In the first series of Round the Twist, characters could hear unseen ghosts on clarinet, saxophone and violin perform part of the song in each episode. Eventually, a choral rendition by the entire cast in the series' climax brought forth the ghosts to save the show's lighthouse from being destroyed.
- In the 1988 film Gotham, J. B. White performed the song as the character "Jimbo".
- In the Season 3, Episode 11 "Named Local Hero" of Spin City, James sings this song for an audition.
- In Episode 5, Season 3 of the BBC drama Ashes to Ashes, the characters Ray Carling and Sharon Granger sing this song for a Police Talent Show.
- In Episode 7, Season 16 of "The Simpsons", the character Barney sings this song during an Irish wake on the sidewalk, for Moe's Tavern.
Books
- McCourt, Malachy (30 Mar 2005 (Reprint)). Danny Boy: The Legend of the Beloved Irish Ballad. New American Library. p. 128. ISBN 0-451-20806-4.
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References
- ^ Why the name Londonderry Air? Retrieved June 16, 2012.
- ^ "Fred Weatherly's own description of writing Danny Boy". Retrieved 2010-03-09.
- ^ Hinnesbusch, Patricia D. "Irish Song Danny Boy Meaning and History of Irish Ballads." Symbol Meaning for Hundreds of Symbols & Symbol Resources. Living Arts Enterprises, LLC, 14 Sept. 2010.
- ^ No byline (2001-08-10), "'Danny Boy' cannot be played during Mass". National Catholic Reporter. 37 (36):11
- ^ "The true meaning of Danny Boy". Retrieved 2010-03-09.
- ^ "Danny Boy Irish Song Lyrics and Music Midi". Danny Boy Song Lyrics. Site. Retrieved 28 March 2011.
- ^ Danny Boy Chart Position Retrieved June 16, 2012.
- ^ Danny Boy Chart Position Retrieved June 16, 2012.
- ^ Danny Boy Chart Position Retrieved June 16, 2012.
- ^ Danny Boy Chart Position Retrieved June 16, 2012.
- ^ Danny Boy Chart Position Retrieved June 16, 2012.
- ^ Danny Boy Chart Position Retrieved June 16, 2012.
- ^ Jerry Lee Lewis, The Locust Years...And the Return to the Promised Land Retrieved June 15, 2012.
- ^ "Official Website of The Irish Tenors | Discography". Retrieved 27 October 2012.
- ^ Classic TV, ISBN 0-7935-4762-8, 1996, published by Hal Leonard Corporation
External links
- 1913 songs
- 1940 songs
- 1950 singles
- 1959 singles
- 1964 singles
- 1965 singles
- 1967 singles
- Andy Williams songs
- Carly Simon songs
- Cher songs
- Connie Francis songs
- Elvis Presley songs
- Eric Clapton songs
- Frankie Laine songs
- Harry Belafonte songs
- Irish folk songs
- Irish songs
- Jackie Wilson songs
- Jerry Lee Lewis songs
- Jim Reeves songs
- Judy Collins songs
- Judy Garland songs
- Patti LaBelle songs
- Ray Price songs
- Roy Orbison songs
- Sam Cooke songs
- Songs written by Frederic Weatherly
- Tom Jones songs
- Willie Nelson songs