Danny Boy Lyrics

Danny Boy lyrics were written by Frederick Weatherly as a ballad, in 1910, and most commonly sung to the Londonderry Air tune. Originally it was written as a message from a lady to a man, but over the years has become more widely sung by men with the implied theme of a message from a parent to a son who is going off to war or an extended trip, with the possiblity of no return.

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 you 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 you will bend and tell me that you love me,
And I shall sleep in peace until you come to me.

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Irish Songs

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