Danny Boy: A History of the Classic Irish Folk Song

" Danny Boy" is an Irish anthem set to the tune "Londonberry Air". The song has many lyric sets but the one that has become the most popular is the one by Frederick Weatherly. Weatherly was a multitalented English lawyer who wrote songs and novels on the side. He wrote the lyrics for "Danny Boy" in 1910, two years before he heard "Londenberry Air". His American sister-in-law sent the tune to him and it happened to mix perfectly with the lyrics he had written. He would publish "Danny Boy" in 1913.

" Danny Boy" is considered an Irish anthem even though it was not written by an Irishman. The song is has been so closely tied to Ireland that North Ireland's anthem during the Commonwealth Game has been "Danny Boy". "Danny Boy" is used during many Irish-American funerals.

Weatherly intended the song to be from a woman to a man. In fact, he gave the alternative "Eily dear" for male singers to use. Today, the song is sung by men more than woman. This has lead to many interpretations of this song including a son leaving for war, a man to his wife, someone leaving Ireland, and a parent to his son. Another question up in the air is where Danny is going. Some say Danny is leaving Ireland forever in hopes of making it in America. Others say Danny is going off to war.

Many famed performers have recorded "Danny Boy". These singers include Johnny Cash, Harry Connick Jr., Dennis Day, Harry Belafonte, Sinead O'Connor, Tony Bennett, Cher, Bing Crosby, Judy Garland, Willie Nelson, Conway Twitty, Ray Price, Jackie Wilson, and Elvis Presley. This was one of Presley's favorite songs and was played at his funeral.

Here are the 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

And when ye come, and all the flowers are dying
And 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 shall warmer, sweeter be
For you shall bend and tell me that you love me
And I shall sleep in peace until you come to me

Some thought "Danny Boy" was a political song. While Weatherly fervently denied this, many wrote their own verses to "Danny Boy" and sang them as if they were part of the original song. The most popular lost verse goes:

But should I live, and should you die for Ireland
Let not your dying thoughts be all of me,
But breathe a prayer to God for our dear sireland,
That He will hear, and He will set her free.
And I will take your place and pike, my dearest,
And strike a blow, though weak that blow may be.
To help the cause to which your heart was nearest,
And you will rest in peace until I come for thee.