Danny Boy Lyrics
Johnny Cash
Lyrics
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;
I'll be here in sunshine or in shadow;
Danny boy, Oh Danny boy, I love you so.
But if 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 will know, 'though soft ye tread around me,
And then my grave shall richer sweeter be,
Then you'll bend down and tell me that you love me,
And I shall rest in peace until you come to me.
Song & Lyrics Facts
The song "Danny Boy" is a popular Irish ballad written by English songwriter Frederic Weatherly and set to the traditional Irish tune of Londonderry Air. It was famously recorded by American singer-songwriter Johnny Cash in 1965, for his album Orange Blossom Special.
Released on Columbia Records, the song reached number 7 on Billboard's Hot Country Singles chart and remains one of Cash's most beloved songs. The genre of the song is country music with lyrics that tell the story of a man who has been away from home for some time but still yearns for his homeland. The band members included Johnny Cash (vocals, guitar), Marshall Grant (bass), W.S. Holland (drums) and Luther Perkins (guitar). This classic version of Danny Boy features Cash’s deep baritone vocals backed by his trademark sparse instrumentation. Interesting fact: Johnny Cash later said that he had received more fan mail about this song than any other he ever recorded.