Danny Boy

Song Information

Composer: Traditional

Lyric Author: Frederick Weatherly

Published: 1910

Country of origin: England/Ireland

General Interest

Danny Boy is probably one of the best-known Irish ballads, although the lyric was penned by the English songwriter Frederick Weatherly.

The tune, "Londonderry Air" is an ancient melody of unknown origins. Londonderry is both a city and a county in Northern Ireland.

There are various suggestions 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 (as suggested by the reference to "pipes calling glen to glen") or leaving as part of the Irish diaspora.

Here's a link to the Lyric:

Danny Boy Lyric

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