This song is played in memory of Pete the Potter - a magical, giant of a man who lived, breathed and busked in the town of Bath. I was lucky enough to know him for a few years before he left us back in 2006, and I had the honour of playing Danny Boy at his funeral with a group of his friends. Pete played the penny whistle in the Abbey Square; his melody soared over the rooftops and around the chimneys. He was an inspiration and friend, and I'm sure he is missed by all who knew him.
Send this song to someone you love on St Patrick's Day!
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The lyrics to "Danny Boy" were written by the English lawyer and lyricist Frederick Weatherly in Bath, in 1910. Although the lyrics were originally written for a different tune, Weatherly modified them to fit "Londonderry Air" in 1913 when his sister-in-law in America sent him a copy. Ernestine Schumann-Heink made the first recording in 1915. Weatherly gave the song to the vocalist Elsie Griffin, who in turn made it one of the most popular songs in the new century. In 1928, Weatherly suggested that the second verse would provide a fitting requiem for the actress Ellen Terry.
"Danny Boy" was originally said to be intended as a message from a woman to a man, and Weatherly provided the alternative "Eily dear" for male singers in his 1918 authorised lyrics. However, the song is actually sung by men as much as, or possibly more than, women. The song has been interpreted by some listeners as a message from a parent to a son going off to war or leaving as part of the Irish diaspora.
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.
"Danny Boy" has been recorded many times by a variety of artists. Many versions are listed below by notable artists in descending chronological order.
Lee Ji Eun on the original soundtrack of Korean movie "Paradise"
Culann's Hounds on their album One for the Road
Tim Janis on his album "An Enchanted Evening" and performed by Fionnuala Gill
Celtic Thunder Sung a cappella on their album "Act Two"
The Ten Tenors recorded it on their album "Nostalgica"
Franc D'Ambrosio's album "Franc D'Ambrosio's Hollywood - Songs from the Silver Screen".
Hayley Westenra's UK album Treasure and the international counterpart Celtic Treasure include her rendition of the song.
Daniel Johns from Silverchair and Bernard Fanning from Powderfinger recorded a duet version of this song
Finbar Wright,on his album "The Essential Finbar Wright" produced by Mike Batt
Tir na n'Og, Serbian celtic band, recorded it on their debut album
Till Brönner on his album Oceana
Thomas Quasthoff on his album A Romantic Songbook
Celtic Woman on their self-titled album
Brian Kennedy, recorded it on his Live in Belfast album
Nigel Kennedy, recorded it on his Nigel Kennedy's Greatest Hits album with Liam O'Flynn and Osian Ellis
Eva Cassidy's recording of the song was posthumously published on the album Imagine
Brobdingnagian Bards recorded it for their album Songs of Ireland
Andy Williams recorded it on his Danny Boy album
Ruben Blades recorded on the Grammy-winning album "Mundo".
Judy Collins sang it at her Live at Wolf Trap concert (CD & DVD)
Irish Tenors, (Ronan Tynan, John McDermott and Anthony Kearns) recorded it on the Irish Tenors album
Diana Krall performed the song with The Chieftains on their album Tears of Stone
Charlotte Church recorded the song on her Voice of an Angel album
Joseph Flummerfelt arranged, conducted and recorded this piece with the Westminster Choir for the Spoleto Festival USA
Mary O'Hara, Irish singer and harpist recorded it on her Song for Ireland CD on the Shanachie label (1993)
The Swingle Singers recorded the song for their album of folk songs, Around the World.
Carly Simon recorded it for her album My Romance
Kate Smith sang a version of it on The Irish Album reissued by RCA in 1989.
Roy Orbison on his 1972 Memphis album.
Connie Francis on her Connie Francis Sings Irish Favorites album
Maureen O'Hara Irish actress recorded it on her Maureen O'Hara Sings her Favourite Irish Songs album (1962, Columbia Records)
Link Wray
Harry Belafonte recorded live at Carnegie Hall.
Elisabeth Schwarzkopf recording at Abbey Road Studios, London, England
Glenn Miller performed it as part of the Carnegie Hall concert on October 6.
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Thank you so much! Beautiful! What a great way to start my Paddy's Day!
mikeyhomie3000 2 years ago 2
Cheers Mikey! Have a wonderful day x
joolsscott 2 years ago