Lyr Req: Oh Danny Boy!

Subject: Lyrics: 'Oh Danny Boy!'
From:
Date: 17 Mar 99 - 10:29 AM

I'm looking for the lyrics to "Oh, Danny Boy!" Thanks for your help!

Subject: RE: Lyrics: 'Oh Danny Boy!'
From: AndyG
Date: 17 Mar 99 - 11:10 AM

Let me, PLEASE,
let me do it :)

The lyrics you want are in The DigiTrad Database
Let your eyes drift up and right to the top of the page and there you'll find a box.
In the box is written;

SEARCH The Digitrad Database:

Using this search facility you would have found;

DANNY BOY

Please, if you need help finding lyrics, check the database first, it's what it's for.

Note to the 'Cat: Yep, I know, Lighten up.
It's a Glorious day, (St Pat's day in fact), OUTSIDE, where I'm not.
I finish work in 90 minutes and I'm off to the pub then but just at the moment I'm regreting being in work.

AngryG

Subject: RE: Lyrics: 'Oh Danny Boy!'
From: j0_77
Date: 17 Mar 99 - 11:18 AM

Oh Danny Boy the Pipes the Pipes are leeeking From .... :)

Subject: Lyr Add: DANNY BOY
From: Frank Howe
Date: 17 Mar 99 - 11:57 AM

I know it's in the database but here's a St. Paddy's Day present - lyrics to Danny Boy with an extra middle verse. I know this is sacrilegious but I wrote this because there are three folks in our group who like to sing this song; so now we don't fight - we all sing it.

DANNY BOY

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 leaves are falling.
It's you, it's you must go and I must bide.
But come ye back when summer's on the meadow
Or when the valley's hushed and white with snow.
It's I'll be here in sunlight or in shadow.
Oh Danny boy, oh Danny boy, I love you so.

Oh Danny boy, think not upon your sorrow
Or on the journey to that distant shore.
Keep safe mo chroi (mo cree) and seek that grand tomorrow
Where Erin's leanai (lanwee) starve and die no more.
And tell your children of their father's country.
Give them our love, our stories, and our song.
Give them a life of freedom, faith, and dignity
And bring them home when Eire's ours once more.

And when ye come, the roses all are dying
And if I'm dead as dead I well might 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 though soft you tread above me
And all my grave shall warmer, sweeter be
And you will kneel and tell me that you love me
And I shall rest in peace 'til you come to me.

Beannachta¡ na F‚ile P graig, agat!

Subject: RE: Lyrics: 'Oh Danny Boy!'
From: Bill D
Date: 17 Mar 99 - 05:52 PM

Frank..I think that is a fine verse...well integrated to the original and well crafted..

(oh...and if anyone ever has a chance to hear an old record or tape of Terry Wilson singing 'Danny Boy', do not miss it..it makes the sentiments feel 'real' and not maudlin..)

Subject: RE: Lyrics: 'Oh Danny Boy!'
From: katlaughing
Date: 17 Mar 99 - 06:29 PM

AndyG: I thought you were quite restrained; done very nicely, in fact, esp. in view of the fact that you had to be inside on such a l;ovely day. I loved the "let your eyes drift up"!

Frank, that is a beautiful verse! Thanks so much for sharing it with us. My dad will enjoy reading/singing it. Well done!

I groaned when I saw this thread title; now, I'm glad to've come here.

katlaughing

Subject: RE: Lyrics: 'Oh Danny Boy!'
From: Frank Howe
Date: 18 Mar 99 - 12:43 PM

Bill, Kat, thanks for your kind words. we had 'em crying in their beers last night! f

Subject: RE: Lyrics: 'Oh Danny Boy!'
From: Jerry Friedman
Date: 18 Mar 99 - 01:40 PM

Frank, I like your verse too (but why doesn't the last line rhyme?). And not to worry--adding a verse to a Yeats poem is sacrilege, but adding a verse to "Danny Boy" is par for the course.

Subject: RE: Lyrics: 'Oh Danny Boy!'
From: Banjer
Date: 18 Mar 99 - 06:07 PM

A friend of mine does a version of this song with a spoken intro. He does like a narrative and then drifts into the first verse from it. It sounds really nice and gives the listener more of an involvement with the lyrics. Does any one know of such an intro or is it just something he created himself? He is on a trip right now and not here to ask. That added verse (above) is very touching and adds a lot to the overall meaning of the song, I like it....Gerry Adams recently visited our area and my wife and oldest son went to see and hear him. Quite an experience for them both!

Subject: RE: Lyrics: 'Oh Danny Boy!'
From: Frank Howe
Date: 19 Mar 99 - 08:20 AM

Jerry, The last lines rhyme(with great poetic license)as such: TELL YOUR CHILDREN OF THEIR FATHER'S COUNTRY.

GIVE THEM OUR LOVE, OUR STORIES, AND OUR SONG.

GIVE THEM A LIFE OF FREEDOM, FAITH, AND DIGNITY

AND BRING THEM HOME WHEN 쳌RIE'S OURS ONCE MORE

"Country" with "Dignity" hard E "Song" with "More" soft O

It's a slight stretch but it's what I wanted to say. I plead guilty.

Subject: RE: Lyrics: 'Oh Danny Boy!'
From: Jerry Friedman
Date: 19 Mar 99 - 12:18 PM

I agree that a slight stretch in the rhyme is better than saying what you didn't want to say.

I resolved not to even try to come up with a suggestion, because that would be rude, and then one just hit me. Would I be rude to suggest a small change?

Subject: RE: Lyrics: 'Oh Danny Boy!'
From: Frank Howe
Date: 19 Mar 99 - 02:04 PM

since I already assualted Danny Boy I guess you can assualt my assualt - what do you suggest?

Subject: RE: Lyrics: 'Oh Danny Boy!'
From: Philippa
Date: 21 Mar 99 - 11:34 AM

I suggest you see Mike Robinson's article at the Derry air He not only provides background information, but also lyrics to "Aisling an Oigfhir"

Subject: RE: Lyrics: 'Oh Danny Boy!'
From: Jerry Friedman
Date: 21 Mar 99 - 01:22 PM

Frank, I was thinking of using the word "lore":

Give them our love, our music, and our lore

or

Give them our love, our songs, our tales and lore

or any of a number of other permutations. Thanks for letting me get my suggestion off my chest!

Subject: RE: Lyrics: 'Oh Danny Boy!'
From: Irish Brigade
Date: 31 Mar 99 - 09:29 AM

I have been looking for a different third verse to Danny Boy for years. It is the version performed by Dennis Day. We played a couple of concerts with him in Ohio. He had a final verse that said what is unsaid in the others: the son is going off to die. It is he, not his father, that will be dead soon. Also something about if he had more sons, he would give them for his beloved Ireland. Anyone else remember this better?

Subject: RE: Lyrics: 'Oh Danny Boy!'
From: Frank Howe
Date: 31 Mar 99 - 10:37 AM

This is a long shot but if you go to this web site (below) you'll see several John Gary CDs listed. The last one on the page is an Irish Greatest Hits CD on which Dennis Day sings most of the songs with John. Danny Boy is listed as one of the tracks - it might have the verse you're looking for. If you find it I hope you'll post it Slán http://www.websterrecords.com/artists/gary.html

Subject: RE: Lyrics: 'Oh Danny Boy!'
From: Big Mick
Date: 31 Mar 99 - 10:53 AM

Irish Brigade................As in the band out of Ohio...........that I believe that I saw play at The Fenian Pub once.......or was it a Celtic Fest Committee concert in Grand Rapids, MI..........If so, you pholks are phenomenal........and my band and I loved your performance.....

Mick

Subject: RE: Lyrics: 'Oh Danny Boy!'
From: Rick Haverty
Date: 06 Apr 99 - 05:40 PM

Here's the added "third verse" to DANNY BOY as I recall it:

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.

Here are some notes:
Although the tune is Irish (Derry Air) the first, and original two verses were written by an Englishman in 1912. The last verse was written by an unknown Irishman. The familiar tune was composed by Rory Dall O'Cahan in 1855 as a lament for his ancient clan. The Englishman was Frederick Weatherly, a prominent lawyer from London.

Subject: RE: Lyrics: 'Oh Danny Boy!'
From: Bruce O.
Date: 06 Apr 99 - 06:07 PM

Rory Dall O'Cahan/O'Caghan died about two hundred years before 1855, and he is not known to have had anything to do with the tune. See the real history at www.standinstones.com, or see the oldest version of the tune, and its song, "The Young Man's Dream" on my website (Scarce Songs 1 file). You can click on Michael Robinson's "Danny Boy" history at standingstones from the bottom of my homepage. www.erols.com/olsonw

The 'Londonderry Air' version of tune as first published by G. Petrie in 1855 is also on my website, as well as Ann Geddes Gilchrist's reconstructed version.

Subject: RE: Lyrics: 'Oh Danny Boy!'
From:
Date: 02 Nov 00 - 10:50 AM

Not one word do I find about KATE SMITH'S song set to this same Londonderry Aire with the same title "Oh Danny Boy... I love you so...." How about the words to this one: does anyone have it or where do I find the music?

Subject: Lyr Add: THE LONDONDERRY AIR
From: radriano
Date: 02 Nov 00 - 11:18 AM

I've never liked the popular version of "Danny Boy." Here's a version of the song found in Sam Henry's Songs of the People that I like much better.


THE LONDONDERRY AIR



Flood tide that ebbs, dark waves in sullen motion
Sad winds that sigh, take this, the heart of me
To yonder ship, white falcon of the ocean
Bearing so swiftly my lost love across the sea

Rain from gray skies like tears of lamentation
Beating across bleak sands and shoreland bare
Weep with my soul, alone in desolation
Hopeless the grief and anguish of my sad despair

Sweetest of all, my dream that, at the waking
Swiftly was gone and lost beyond recall
Rose on the rood that as the dawn was breaking
So softly died as morning wept thy silent fall

Sad wind and tide that two fond hearts now sever
Our faith proclaims, triumphant over tears
How still we love and shall do so for ever
Who wait alone the secret of the coming years


Notes from the book: Petrie 1855-57 says the air, without title or lyrics, was collected by Miss J. Ross in Limavady. According to local tradition, James McCurry, the blind fiddler of Myroe, Limavady, was the itinerant fiddler from whom Miss Anne Jane Ross of Limavady obtained the Londonderry Air. The lyrics in this version were written by T. Wray Milnes of Beeston, Leeds.

Radriano

Subject: RE: Lyrics: 'Oh Danny Boy!'
From:
Date: 02 Nov 00 - 11:21 AM

Saranelle, is it not the same music we have for Danny Boy?

I believe there is a MIDI file attached to one of the links, either here at Mudcat or at one of the several dozen web-sites which include Danny Boy lyrics.

I've never heard of this Kate Smith one. Is it much different than the standard one?

Subject: RE: Lyrics: 'Oh Danny Boy!'
From: GUEST,Saranelle
Date: 02 Nov 00 - 03:12 PM

George Seto--The "Kate Smith" version is the identical tune and in a search on this site, I found "OH DANNY BOY", along with "OH DANNY BOY, I LOVE YOU SO." The one with the "I love you so" is the one I want to hear again; can't remember the words, but it ends with "I love you so" I don't know who set the words of this one to Londonderry Aire, but Kate Smith is the one who made it popular some 50 years ago -- oooops! now I've told you my age group!!! I listened to a midi and could remember some of the words of the one I want -- this is what got me started wanting to hear it again. Perhaps someone could direct me to some old Kate Smith recordings. I have some of her sheet music, but not this one -- came from Robbins Music Co. in NY, but could not find that Co. on the net nowadays.

Subject: RE: Lyrics: 'Oh Danny Boy!'
From:
Date: 05 Oct 04 - 02:27 PM

I am looking for Judy Collins lyrics to Danny boy. Does anyone know where they can be found?

Thanks Judy

Subject: RE: Lyrics: 'Oh Danny Boy!'
From: mg
Date: 05 Oct 04 - 03:56 PM

Isn't this a song that women are not supposed to sing? Not by law, but tradition prefers it? That's what I always heard. mg

Subject: RE: Lyrics: 'Oh Danny Boy!'
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 05 Oct 04 - 04:30 PM

Since the words by Weatherly are less than 100 years old (1913), any 'tradition' attached to the song doesn't seem to have much in the way of validity.
Sing on! 'Tis a fine song.

Subject: RE: Lyrics: 'Oh Danny Boy!'
From: PoppaGator
Date: 05 Oct 04 - 04:50 PM

Only men, not women, are allowed to sing "Danny Boy, I love you so?"

Sounds like some kind of reverse homophobia to me.

Subject: RE: Lyrics: 'Oh Danny Boy!'
From: Joybell
Date: 05 Oct 04 - 06:10 PM

I confess! I've been singing it! Will I be charged with something do you think? Joy

Subject: RE: Lyrics: 'Oh Danny Boy!'
From: PoppaGator
Date: 05 Oct 04 - 06:28 PM

By the way: GUEST, [e-mail] --

You ought to check out:
1) the various lyrics quoted and/or referenced in this very thread that you revived;
2) whatever lyrics are quoted and/or referenced in the 26 other related threads listed at the top of this page in hyperlink ("bue clicky") form;
3) The Digital Tradition treasuretrove of lyrics here on the Mudcat website.

If Judy Collins sings a set of lyrics not included among all these alternatives, I would be greatly surprised.

Subject: RE: Lyrics: 'Oh Danny Boy!'
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 05 Oct 04 - 06:42 PM

A lot of fanciful nonsense is talked about this song (see the eight million other threads on it round here). Perhaps someone will circulate a convincing rumour that there is a dreadful curse on it, and everybody will stop singing it for fifty years or so.

Now there's a beautiful thought.

Subject: Lyr Add: DANNY BOY R. I. P.
From: Reiver 2
Date: 05 Oct 04 - 08:43 PM

This probably should more properly be placed in a thread on Parodies, (I remember at least one, some time back -- maybe I did post this there, I can't remember), but this is called "Danny Boy, (R.I.P.)" so maybe I'll be forgiven for posting it here. It was written by a young bloke named Shay Veno who is the founder and lead singer of an Irish band in Phoenix called The Clare Voyants. Obviously he's reacting to the affectations assumed by some of us whose Irish roots are not obvious and are hidden deep in the soil, but never miss a chance to display our "Irishness", sometime in ways that are a bit too obvious and hackneyed. Despite the unfortunate violence in the lyrics, I found the song hilarious. The tune is totally different from the "real" Danny Boy. The only place I've heard it is on a Clare Voyant's CD called "Pass It On."

DANNY BOY (RIP)

I met him in a pub one night in a crowd of well-to-do's.
He had a claddagh on each finger and a shamrock on each shoe.
When he said "Top of the morning" my heart was filled with dread,
Then he said his name was Danny Boy, so I shot him in the head.

Chorus:
Rise up a cheer and lift your pints and hold them way up high,
And sing this song of tragedy beneath the Irish sky.
From the glens the pipes are calling, but he never will reply,
'Cause I buried Danny Boy beneath the Fields of Athenry.

Too-ra-loo, too-ra-lay, I thought I might dump him in Galway Bay.
Too-ra-loo, too-ra-lie, but I buried Danny Boy beneath the Fields
    of Athenry.

Well, the Garda, they came upon me and they took away me gun.
And a hush fell o'er the crowd when they saw what I had done.
Said the Garda, "God forgive me for I'm sure in Hell to burn."
Then he shot poor Danny Boy again to make sure he won't return.

Chorus

Now some call me a hero and some call me a fiend,
But they still sing his sad auld song while drinking beer died
   toxic green.
But my sentence it was commuted; it seems I'm off scot-free.
Well I think I'll have another pint and wait for Michael Flatley.

Chorus

Oh well. It has a real catchy tune.

Reiver 2

Subject: RE: Lyrics: 'Oh Danny Boy!'
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 05 Oct 04 - 10:19 PM

This is a very old thread on a very old and tired subject. For the parody, see also

DANNY BOY, REST IN PIECES DT file, 2000
DANNY BOY (R.I.P.) posted by "Reiver 2", 2003
Danny Boy-Rest in Pieces posted by "Molly Malone", 2000

That ought to be enough for anyone. It's modestly amusing, but I don't know that it really needed to be posted yet again.

Subject: RE: Lyrics: 'Oh Danny Boy!'
From: PoppaGator
Date: 06 Oct 04 - 01:29 PM

There was a controversy several years ago where at least one Catholic diocese in the US outlawed the singing of "Danny Boy" at funeral masses. The "grounds," I believe, were that the song was "secular" (if not downright "Protestant" -- the melody, after all, is known as "The Londonderry Air," not the "Derry Air.")

Even those who are mightily sick of the song should agree that this was a complete overreaction. If the grieving loved ones want "Danny Boy," their wishes should certainly be respected. (Especially if the dear departed's name was Danny!)

This issue was *probably* discussed in one or more of the many previous threads referenced above.

Subject: RE: Lyrics: 'Oh Danny Boy!'
From: Joe Offer
Date: 06 Oct 04 - 02:10 PM

Yeah, it's a "hot issue" for Catholic church musicians, PoppaGator. I have to say I'm on the side of those who outlawed "Danny Boy" and other popular songs at Mass. The Mass, after all, is a religious service, although that may not be understood by many of the people who attend church for weddings and funerals and maybe Christmas and Easter. They're looking for sentimentality and warm, fuzzy feeling, and that isn't necessarily what religious worship is all about.

Music is an integral part of worship, not just an entertainment. Most Catholic church music has texts that are based on Scripture, and it follows themes that are consistent with Catholic theology. We stay away from some of the fundamentalist Christian imagery like the bloody lambs and the warfare metaphors ("Onward Christian Solders," for example).

In many dioceses where there are such restrictions, the non-religious songs may be sung before or after Mass, but not during the main part of the Mass. "Danny Boy" is a nice, sentimental song that does a good job of conveying the feeling of loss. Catholic funeral services are intended to convey the idea of living on after death, of being united with God, of the joy of finishing a good life and going on to the next - but acknowledging and consoling the grief and sorrow of those left behind. That's why Catholic funerals no longer have dirges and priests no longer wear black for funerals.

I fully realize that other people and other faiths may have different approaches to funerals and weddings and such, but I think the Catholic Church has a right and an obligation to use music that enhances its theology of worship. So, yeah, if you wanna have a Catholic wedding or funeral, ya gotta have Catholic music - which usually includes all the music in the Lutheran and Episcopalian and Methodist and other mainstream Christian hymnals. If you want Neil Diamond or Simon and Garfunkel or "Danny Boy," you may have to wait until after Mass.

There isn't a universal ban on "Danny Boy," however. I hear it at Mass more often than I'd like, especially since I'm in a diocese with a large number of Irish priests. The priests may not even like the song, but American Catholic choirs often can't think of anything better to sing for Father's ordination anniversary. The Catholic hymnals have a few songs that use "Londonderry Air" as a tune, but not the "Danny Boy" text - so it's not the tune that's objectionable.

Now, I have to say that guidelines against inappropriate music at Mass are widely ignored. Many priests and most church musicians don't have the training I've had in the theology of liturgy. So, yes, I'm sure you won't have a hard time finding a Catholic parish that will sing "Danny" and Neil Diamond and "Bridge Over Troubled Water" for your funeral. I hope you don't mind if I cringe, just a bit.

Oh, and if I recall correctly, our choir sang "Danny Boy" at the memorial Mass for our previous pastor, who died at home in Ireland shortly after he retired. I do think we sang it after Mass, though.

-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Lyrics: 'Oh Danny Boy!'
From: PoppaGator
Date: 06 Oct 04 - 02:54 PM

Hey Joe,

I understand, and I suppose that scheduling the song for before or after the funeral Mass, rather than during, should be an effective compromise.

Also, I am not myself a strong proponent of singing "Danny Boy" -- my attitude toward that song is similar to how I feel about "Kumbaya"; something that I once found moving, but which I've heard 'way too many times, in too many overly-sentimental performances, to truly appreciate any longer. But I felt like speaking up for the wishes of the loved-ones who do love the song and request it.

I was not aware of the "more appropriate" Catholic hymn-lyrics to the same tune. Would they be worth posting? Any members who play for the Catholic liturgy might well find them very useful to know; they might have an oportunity to suggest a compromise between a "Danny"-fan family and a reluctant pastor.

On a related topic, the way I feel about "Kumbaya" and "Danny Boy" is similar to my attitude toward much of the approved Catholic "folk Mass" songbook. Compared to the grand old Latin High Mass "Glorias" and "Credos," not to mention Gregorian Chant, much of the newer music is some pretty lame stuff.

I was still a practicing Catholic when the new music began to appear, and it generally made me reluctant to admit I owned an acoustic guitar. The Vatican's backtracking from the promises of John XXIII had more to do with my eventual drifting away than any musical issues, of course, but those wimpy songs didn't help at all.

Subject: RE: Lyrics: 'Oh Danny Boy!'
From: Joe Offer
Date: 06 Oct 04 - 06:28 PM

Well, PoppaGator, now that I mention them, I can't find Catholic hymns to the tune of "Londonderry Air." Can't say that I actually liked them, but they were a little more fitting for worship. One I've sung and disliked was called "Amazing Grace," with lyrics by Dottie Rambo:

He Looked Beyond My Fault and Saw My Need
(Dottie Rambo, Benson Publishing, 1968)

Amazing Grace, shall always be my song of praise.
For it was grace that bought my liberty,
I do not know, just why He came to love me so.
He looked beyond my fault and saw my need.

I shall forever lift mine eyes to Calvary,
To view the cross, where Jesus died for me
How marvelous, the grace that caught my falling soul
He Looked beyond my fault and saw my need.

(This one is NOT Catholic in origin or theology)

Using "Danny Boy" for a hymn tune is kind of like that magnificent old hymn tune, Cranbrook. You can't get the other words out of your head.

I'll agree that there was a lot of awful Catholic church music in the 1970's, the early days of the English liturgy. Most of that really bad pseudo-folkie stuff is not in use any more, and I think there is some pretty good music amidst the next generation. Unfortunately, people still think all English-language Catholic music is the stuff from the 70's, and may don't give the newer stuff a chance.

I'll agree that the old Latin stuff was good - for those of us who speak Latin. For the rest, it was just pretty sounds that they didn't understand. I've heard it said that the Gospel is a pretty strong message, and that the use of Latin shielded people from the power of that message. Since they didn't understand it, they didn't have to heed it.

-Joe Offer-

---

You'll find Dottie's song and lots of others in this thread - but I'm not sure I like any of 'em.

Subject: RE: Lyrics: 'Oh Danny Boy!'
From: PoppaGator
Date: 06 Oct 04 - 07:20 PM

Joe, at the time of Vatican II I absolutely endorsed the idea of using the "vernacular" rather than Latin, for the obvious reasons you already stated. People should be able to understand what they hear, sing, and/or recite.

I just think that the music suffered -- the old stuff was really grand and impressive. Everyone knew what the "Gloria" and the "Credo" were saying, and if not, could read along in English in their missals, so singing them in Latin didn't much hurt anyone's understanding.

Subject: Lyr Add: DANNY BOY (Frederic E. Weatherly)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 08 Oct 04 - 12:12 AM

The Library of Congress American Memory Collection has sheet music published in New York in 1913, and it seems that no one has posted these EXACT lyrics here before. I have marked with boldface the differences between this version and DANNY BOY in DigiTrad. Some might think the differences are trivial, but I like these words a bit better:

DANNY BOY
Words, Frederic E. Weatherly.
Tune adapted from an old Irish air by Frederic E. Weatherly.
Published New York, New York, Boosey & Co., 1913.

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.
It's you, it's 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.
It's 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 flow'rs are dying,
If 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 will warmer, sweeter be,
For you will bend and tell me that you love me,
And I shall sleep in peace until you come to me!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Oh Danny Boy!'
From: wilbyhillbilly
Date: 08 Oct 04 - 06:12 AM

No one has mentioned this version so I copied this from my previous post in another thread.

The version with the extra verse has been done by Roy Orbison, which I was lucky enough to borrow to add to my collection ( I now have 27 versions of Danny Boy) which no doubt you may realise has a very special meaning for me personally. (Thereby lies a long story over many years of my life), anyway I must say that Roy Orbisons version is the most poignant, heartbreaking version I have heard.

Whilst I don't know the author of the extra verses, it has been added to imply the return of Danny after many years to his fathers resting place, there is also a piece added onto the end.
Here are the words of Roy Orbisons version:-

The valley is hushed the flowers are all dying
The meadow is white with the winter snow
Lord as I stand at the place where daddy is lying
I say a silent prayer and somehow I know
He hears me there though soft I tread above him
So now he sleeps in peace his Danny boy's come home

(It then goes into the "normal" Danny Boy lyrics, then at the end, this)

I close my eyes and still I can see him standing there on the hill
Tears filled his eyes as he waved goodbye to me
I can't forget, I guess I never will
He said, the valley is hushed the flowers are all dying
The meadow is white with the winter snow
Come find the place where you know that I'll be lying
Say a silent prayer so I'll know.

whb