Danny Boy - Free Sheet Music, Lyrics and History

Londonderry Air is one of the most haunting tunes of the western world. It is no wonder that so many words have been set to it. It has gone from a melody of the Irish culture to a song that the whole world embraces. The most popular set of words ever penned for this tune were written by Frederic Edward Weatherley (1848-1929), a laywer, radio entertainer, author of children's books. He first setting of the verse was to another tune, which failed to grow in popularity. Two years later he set them to Londonderry Air. His new setting of the song was published by Boosey in 1913. Weatherley's intention with the writing of Danny Boy was to bring together the Unionists and Nationalists of Ireland. This is one of the reasons it has had such strong appeal to the Irish people.

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 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 or in shadow
Oh Danny boy, oh Danny boy, I love you so.

But when ye 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
For ye shall bend and tell me that you love me
And I shall sleep in peace until you come to me.

Free Sheet Music
The following collection of free sheet music arrangements range in difficulty from easy to intermediate. Each Web site offer PDF documents for free download, and includes MP3 recordings of the arrangements, should you be interested in hearing them before you print.

Danny Boy for Intermediate Piano Solo
Danny Boy for Intermediate Harp Solo
Danny Boy for Easy Flute Solo
Danny Boy for Intermediate Clarinet Solo