Danny Boy
"Danny Boy" is a ballad, written by English songwriter Frederic Weatherly in 1913, and set to the traditional Irish melody of "Londonderry Air".
History
In 1910, in Bath, Somerset, the English lawyer and lyricist Frederic Weatherly initially wrote the words to "Danny Boy" to a tune other than "Londonderry Air". After his Irish-born sister-in-law Margaret in the United States sent him a copy of "Londonderry Air" in 1913, Weatherly modified the lyrics of "Danny Boy" to fit the rhyme and meter of "Londonderry Air".Weatherly gave the song to the vocalist Elsie Griffin, who made it one of the most popular songs in the new century. In 1915, Ernestine Schumann-Heink produced the first recording of "Danny Boy".
Jane Ross of Limavady is credited with collecting the melody of "Londonderry Air" in the mid-19th century from a musician she encountered.
Lyrics
The 1913 lyrics by Frederick E. Weatherly:Meaning
Various suggestions exist as to the true meaning of "Danny Boy". Some have interpreted the song to be a message from a parent to a son going off to a war or uprising or leaving as part of the Irish diaspora.The 1918 version of the sheet music with Weatherly's printed signature included alternative lyrics, with the instructions that "when sung by a man, the words in italic should be used; the song then becomes "Eily Dear", so that "Danny Boy" is only to be sung by a lady". In spite of this, it is unclear whether this was Weatherly's intent. The song has been covered by a diverse range of male singers, including Jim Reeves, Mario Lanza, Bing Crosby, Andy Williams, Eric Clapton, Johnny Cash, Sam Cooke, Elvis Presley, Shane MacGowan, Jackie Wilson, Daniel O'Donnell, Harry Belafonte, Tom Jones, John Gary, Frank Patterson, Thomas Quasthoff, Stuart Burrows, Jacob Collier, Harry Connick Jr., and comedian Peter Kay amongst many others. All used the original lyrics with slight variations.
Usage
- "Danny Boy" is an unofficial signature song and anthem, particularly by Irish Americans and Irish Canadians.
- For several sporting events where Northern Ireland competes individually, such as the Commonwealth Games, the tune “A Londonderry Air” is used as its anthem.
- The song is popular for funerals; but, as it is not liturgical, its suitability as a funeral song is sometimes contested. In 1928, Weatherly himself suggested that the second verse would provide a fitting requiem for the actress Ellen Terry.
- Figure skating world champion Javier Fernández skated an exhibition programme to Danny Boy choreographed by David Wilson, which Fernández debuted in Boston, US following his victory at the 2016 World Figure Skating Championships.
- An instrumental version of "Danny Boy" was the theme song for the television show Make Room for Daddy, later The Danny Thomas Show.
- The song was sung by Jukebox Band member Tex in the 1993 Shining Time Station episode Mr. Conductor's Evil Twin, per the selection of the titular evil twin, bringing Schemer to tears.
- Opera singer Renée Fleming sang "Danny Boy" at the funeral service for Senator John McCain on 1 September 2018.
- "Danny Boy", with modified lyrics and music was used in Rubén Blades' album Mundo.
- During The Beatles' rooftop concert on 30 January 1969, band member John Lennon jokingly sings an adjusted version of the opening line of "Danny Boy" right after the song "One After 909", which is included in The Beatles' album Let It Be.
Adaptations
The American Celtic rock band, Black 47 uses the classic song in their original song Danny Boy which tells the story of a gay Irish immigrant in New York City while an instrumental version of "Danny Boy" plays hauntingly in the background. When the main character of dies of AIDS, the band finally sings an abbreviated version of "Danny Boy" with the lyrics now seeming between two male lovers.
Notable recordings
"Danny Boy" has been recorded multiple times by a variety of performers. Several versions performed by notable performers are listed below in chronological order.| Year | Artist | Release | Notes |
| Gracie Fields | Shipyard Sally soundtrack | ||
| Judy Garland | Little Nellie Kelly soundtrack | Garland also sang it live at her concerts in Ireland and Scotland and most famously at her New York Palace Theatre debut in 1951 | |
| Glenn Miller and His Orchestra | Single only | #17 in "Pop Memories 1890-1954" ; Arranged by Glenn Miller and pianist Chummy MacGregor | |
| Bing Crosby | Merry Christmas | Paired with "I'll Be Home for Christmas" on its original single. Originally recorded July 5, 1941. | |
| Deanna Durbin | It Started with Eve | YouTube, | |
| 1950 | Eugene Conley | Eugene Conley, Robert Farnon And His Orchestra– A Concert of Favorites by Eugene Conley | Released with "I Hear You Calling Me," "Ah! Sweet Mystery Of Life," "Forgotten," "Because," "Thine Alone," "I'll Take You Home Again Kathleen," Beloved. |
| Al Hibbler | Single only | #9 on the R&B chart | |
| Slim Whitman | Single only | ||
| Ruby Murray | The Voice of Ireland | Released as part of her Irish songs album. | |
| Conway Twitty | Saturday Night | #10 on Billboard Hot 100 and #18 on R&B charts and #1 in Italy | |
| Jim Reeves | The Blizzard/Danny Boy 7" 45rpm vinyl LP | #27 on RCA Victor 7855 in "Music Vendor" | |
| Andy Williams | Danny Boy and Other Songs I Love to Sing | #15 on the U.S. adult contemporary and #64 on the Hot 100 charts | |
| Connie Francis | Connie Francis Sings Irish Favorites | Released as an all-Irish album. | |
| Judith Durham/ The Seekers | Judith Durham also performed it solo on many albums and TV appearances | ||
| Harry James | One Night Stand With Harry James on Tour in '64 | Buddy Rich on drums | |
| Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles | Sweethearts of the Apollo | #76 on Hot 100 | |
| 1965 | Johnny Cash | Orange Blossom Special | - |
| Bob McGrath | Mitch Miller Presents Bob McGrath | ||
| Jackie Wilson | Single only | #94 on Hot 100 and #25 on R&B charts | |
| Ray Price | Danny Boy | #60 on Hot 100 and #9 on Country charts | |
| Tom Jones | 13 Smash Hits | Also included in 1969 album Tom Jones Live in Las Vegas | |
| Roy Orbison | Memphis | ||
| Glen Campbell | The Artistry of Glen Campbell | ||
| Elvis Presley | From Elvis Presley Boulevard, Memphis, Tennessee | Recorded in response to a request from his father, Vernon, this is from Elvis' penultimate studio recording session in February 1976, recorded in the Jungle Room of Elvis' home in Graceland. | |
| The Kelly Family | Danny Boy / Agur Jaunak | ||
| Willie Nelson | One for The Road | Recorded on Nelson's 1979 collaboration album One for The Road with singer-songwriter Leon Russell | |
| Thin Lizzy | ' | Gary Moore and Phil Lynott of Thin Lizzy had previously recorded an instrumental version, titled Dan, on their Tribute to Deep Purple album in 1972 | |
| Carly Simon | My Romance | ||
| Frank Patterson | Miller's Crossing soundtrack | Also included in 1999 album, Ireland In Song | |
| Bill Evans | Time Remembered | Recorded in 1963; released on the CD-version of the album in 1991 | |
| Eric Clapton | Change the world | Instrumental recording as bonustrack | |
| John McDermott | Independent recording | - | |
| Jacintha Abisheganaden | Here's To Ben – A Vocal Tribute To Ben Webster | Groove Note | |
| Johnny Cash | ' | American Recordings, Universal | |
| Eva Cassidy | Imagine | Blix Street | |
| Carol Noonan | Somebody's Darling | Performed live and noted by NPR | |
| 2005 | Celtic Woman | Celtic Woman | Performed by Méav Ní Mhaolchatha. Rereleased in the 2015 album Decade. The Songs, The Show, The Traditions, The Classics |
| Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra | Danny Boy, Live at Red Rocks | Performed live at the Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado during the 2009 Central US Tour. Arranged by Mack Wilberg. The performance was recorded and it is available at Mormon Tabernacle Choir's YouTube Channel | |
| BYU's Vocal Point | Danny Boy | Available on the Vocal Point YouTube Channel | |
| 2013 | Girls' Generation | 2011 Girls' Generation Tour | CD 2, #7, the song is sung by five members |
| The Gothard Sisters | Compass | #11 | |
| Damien Leith | Songs from Ireland | #11 in Australia | |
| Lisa Hannigan | Fargo | Season 2, Episode 7 "Did you do this? No, you did it!" | |
| 2015 | Jacob Collier | Maida Vale session for BBC | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXIApugIuqk |
| Bill Evans | Empathy | Recorded in 1962 featuring 3:41 version with the trio - bonus 10:43 solo piano version added to JAZZTWINS 2017 vinyl release | |
| Andrea Bocelli | Sì Forever | Called Ragazzo Mio and is sung in both Italian and English | |
| Cliff Richard and Helmut Lotti | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67XGBKSDR1w&feature=youtu.be | Audio 2006 album "Two's Company: The Duets”. | |
| 2020 | Ernst Vranckx Trio | Things as they are |