Many Irish people have a love/hate relationship with the popular song "Danny Boy." The opening lyrics are sure to draw a few voices of dissent from the crowd if a singer takes it upon themselves to belt out one of the most over-played songs in the history of overplayed songs and yet, the same dissenters will willingly join in if the mood strikes and they're feeling particularly homesick.
Few people are aware, however, of the true origins of Ireland's infamous and unofficial national anthem, such as the fact that it's not even a completely Irish song.
In 2001, the Irish-American actor and writer Malachy McCourt took it upon himself to unravel the mystery of perhaps the most popular Irish song ever in his book "Danny Boy: The Legend of the Beloved Irish Ballad."
Who is Danny? Why are the pipes calling? And why did Catholic dioceses ban the beloved ballad's use during funerals?
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I'll never think the same about this song again, and, what, with St. Paddy's day coming up....
ReplyDeleteMany of you recall the guy who stood on the OC boardwalk playing bagpipes.One Saturday night he played Danny Boy,even though it is an Irish song vs Scottish.It was beautiful but he acted like he had run a marathon by the time he had finished.Bagpipes require a lot of wind to play.
ReplyDeleteI like my own thoughts and feelings regarding the songs words. I am English Irish and mostly Scottish for whatever that means .
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