Danny boy

Subject: Danny boy
From: GUEST,Colin H
Date: 13 May 00 - 12:00 PM

The lyrics of Danny boy recorded in this database do not include the last verses. Can anyone in this group help? I would appreciate it if the following lines could be completed and confirmed.

But if I live, and should you die for Ireland Let not your dying thoughts be just of me But say a prayer to God for our ......... Ireland (?) I know He'll hear and help to set her free.

And I will take your heightened place my dear ... (?) And strike a blow, tho' weak a blow may be 'twill help God's ....... your heart ........... (?) Oh Danny boy, oh Danny boy, I love you so.

Subject: RE: Danny boy
From: Amergin
Date: 13 May 00 - 12:08 PM

Interesting, I didn't know there were any other verses. Those were probably added later. Some one else here most likely knows more than me. I don't know nothing.

Amergin

Subject: RE: Danny boy
From: JedMarum
Date: 13 May 00 - 01:11 PM

I suspect these lyrics were added quite some time later. You might find this info of interest; a blue clicky thing that takes you to an interesting Danny Boy article.

Subject: RE: Danny boy
From: catspaw49
Date: 13 May 00 - 01:34 PM

Dear Colin,

You might also find it very informative to search the past threads we have run on this song. Enter the "Forum Search" box at the left of the main page and type in "Danny Boy." One very fine thread is HERE--(CLICK).

There have been a lot of "other" verses written long after the originals. I think you can probably find about 20 "last verses."

Spaw

Subject: RE: Danny boy
From: GUEST,Rich(stupidbodhranplayerwhodoesn'tknowbetter
Date: 13 May 00 - 02:30 PM

Does this song NEED to be any longer?

Rich

Subject: RE: Danny boy
From: kendall
Date: 13 May 00 - 03:25 PM

Somehow the politics thing just doesnt fit.

Subject: RE: Danny boy
From: JedMarum
Date: 13 May 00 - 03:40 PM

lol@rich - right on!

Subject: RE: Danny boy
From: paddymac
Date: 13 May 00 - 03:52 PM

It's the famous folk process at work. If the newer verses strike a more resonant chord with contemporary audiences, they will find their way into the idiom. If not, well, whoever wrote them thought they were a good idea at the time. The important thing, or so it seems to me, is the opportunity for evolution of teh song. After all, art follows biology. :>)

Subject: RE: Danny boy
From: catspaw49
Date: 13 May 00 - 04:20 PM

Paddy....Perhaps more than you think. My wife is a histotech (lab) and all placentas come through the lab for analysis nowadays. A few years ago, they got a request not to destroy this one placenta because the "Dad" was an artist and wanted to "create" something with it. What he wanted to create I have no idea.

The only thing I could think of was nausea.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Danny boy
From: Irish sergeant
Date: 13 May 00 - 04:33 PM

Colin; Keep in mind that there also are other lyrics to the same music the tune belongs "The Londonderry Air" I do have it some where around here but i'll be buggered if i can find it at this moment. Both sets may very well be in the data base. Good luck and good hunting. Reguards, Irsh Sergeant (Neil)

Subject: RE: Danny boy
From: catspaw49
Date: 13 May 00 - 05:19 PM

Hey Neil.....If you check the forum as I mentioned above under "Danny Boy" you get a ton of hits on Londonderry Air too. Lots of words and history right here at Mudcat!!!

Spaw

Subject: RE: Danny boy
From: Doctor John
Date: 13 May 00 - 06:20 PM

I believe the "original" words (ie the ones we all know) are English written to the traditional tune. Dr John

Subject: RE: Danny boy
From:
Date: 13 May 00 - 07:05 PM

Dr. John. You're right about that.

The song has been discussed at length in the message forum. There have been parodies such as London Derriere. Many of them are found in the Database as well.

Several of the others have links to sites with the full details on how the song came to be.

Have a look in the forum and data bases. Perhaps resurrect one or another of those threads.

Subject: RE: Danny boy
From: catspaw49
Date: 13 May 00 - 07:23 PM

Well, I've made that suggestion twice on the thread already George. I guess we can keep making the suggestion though.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Danny boy
From: Irish sergeant
Date: 13 May 00 - 07:37 PM

Spaw; A good suggestion is a good suggestion. And as I have learned since becoming a member, there is a lot to be learned at the Mudcat cafe. Have a great night and weekend. Neil

Subject: RE: Danny boy
From: Lanfranc
Date: 14 May 00 - 07:01 AM

One thing I have never understood. Why, when a man sings the song, does he sing "Danny Boy" and not "Eilly (Eilleen) Dear", which is, I believe, the pukka male version??

Being the aging pedant I am, I always make the change, but I admit it does cause some confusion among the listeners.

It couldn't be the first gay Celtic anthem, could it??

Subject: RE: Danny boy
From: Gary T
Date: 14 May 00 - 08:53 AM

Alan, I used to think that it was a romantic love song from the feminine point of view, but recently I have come to see it as a son being addressed by his father or mother. This is mostly supported by the supposition that the singer will be dead when Danny returns (much more likely of a parent than a sweetheart) and the epithet "boy" (a sweetie would say "dear" or some such). I also find it incongruous that a girlfriend would expect him to meet her in the hereafter, or if it's his wife that she's not going with him.

I think it's the parting words of a parent as the lad leaves the nest to seek his fortune in the new world.

Subject: RE: Danny boy
From: paddyc
Date: 14 May 00 - 03:38 PM

If you want them here they are:

Oh Danny boy go bravely fight for freedom And give life's all if wretched fate must be My beloved child I give to mother Ireland For it was she that gave him unto me

A hundred sons though they be taken from me And if for Erin's cause they too must die God's hand will surely guide them onto glory As upon the holy battlefield they lie