Danny Boy - History & Legacy of the Greatest Irish Song of All Time 

I am a recent retired History teacher-- Taught 1956 thru 2020... Retired at the age of 86. Being a child of the Great Depression and World War 2, memories of Danny Boy come to light. Glen Miller played it throughout the war as it became a popular song especially to the Army Air Corp. Tears and memories flood my heart as I think of this and remember our boys, the Greatest Generation, who fought and gave of themselves during the war so that we may have freedom and democray.

My dad was a B-17 pilot in WWII. This was his favorite song. Lump in my throat every time I hear it.

Sinead O'Connor's singing of Danny Boy on the Late Late Show on Irish television is the best rendition of this song I've ever heard. Pulls at the heart strings. Beautiful. R.I.P Sinead.❤from Ireland 🇮🇪.

I was in a Tokyo nightclub in 1986 where there was a lot of singing going on. The music was amazing. The hostess, hearing that I was Irish, asked me to sing Danny Boy. I was astounded. ‘The musicians won’t know it,’ I protested. She said, ‘No, no, just sing.' So I did. My voice sounded better than I’d ever heard it in that sound system. Then came the chorus. To my astonishment, all the heads that I could see in the darkness were thrown back and every voice joined in. ‘But come ye back…’ All of us Irish nearly collapsed laughing. Everybody knew the song. I later heard it’s taught in primary schools in Japan and South Korea. What I didn’t know that night in Tokyo was that I had just been introduced to karaoke!! I wasn't to realise that until years later. I just thought there was a bunch of guys somewhere in the darkness who were bloody brilliant musicians! 😂🇮🇪😂

Don't forget that great Irish Tenor, John McCormack. His rendition is simply magical.

Yes I grew up with Danny boy, I'm 68 years old and have known this song all my life, My dear mother named me after this song because it was her very very favorite song she held close to her heart. Whenever I hear it or play it on my guitar, my heart is always touched, sometimes a tear will form in my eyes knowing the loving story my mom always told me about why she named me after it. She has now passed away but her voice gently lingers like a whisper in the wind.

My father had a beautiful voice and as a child I would often hear him singing Danny Boy. First, it was the tune that caught my heart and once I could understand, the words made an impact and more than six decades later, its still one of my favourites.

The song never gets old for me!

Thanks for this interesting history. I'm 75, and this song became important to our family when my nephew Danny died unexpectedly at the age of 5 from brain cancer in 1967. We cherish the song as a sweet reminder of a dear little boy.

This was one of my fathers favorite songs, and whenever I hear it I feel like he is sending me a message from beyond.

I am Italian American and went to Catholic school with mostly Irish. So it became VERY popular to sing Irish songs on ST PATRICKS DAY in class from First grade to 12th grade. Maybe if all schools played this song today there would be less hatred and violence since all of us will die one day and we could then REFLECT on being kinder and charitable to our fellow humankind since we all face the same fate

I am Irish American, and have heard the song all my long life. It is very moving, both music and lyrics.

Yes, I grew up with the song in Dublin. My Dad died in 1955, he and my Mam were soldiers in WW11. Although the song is Irish it sang of all soldiers, a lament for them to all come home. We at home sang every sunday afternoon, our house was full with family visits. Danny Boy was sung often, showed the yearning of the heart and respect for the soldier, men and women who took care of us during a harsh and bloody war. I have heard it sung by newspaper boys in Dublin . I have heard it sung in many languages , it is wonderful what people can share together. Thank you for the video, it is well presented.

My great uncle, fought in Europe in WWII. He was amazing on the harmonica❤ Loved hearing him! But our local community leaders had him come play Danny Boy at many large events! ❤ Anytime I hear or think of "Danny Boy" I remember my brother we lost in the Navy in my early teens, & my awesome uncle ❤🇺🇸❤️ Fortunately my great uncle lived not far away & we got to spend a good deal of time with him! We all adored him! He would always play his harmonica for us, & let us shoot his tiny canon he got in the war!

Only my emotions can express how this song moves me. Such an evocative, profound, deep and poignant song. Thank you for sharing its story.

As a Virginia Appalachian (like Johnny Cash) with roots of Irish/Scot, this song has been very dear to me. It is so lovely how this song transcends so many generations. Thank you for sharing the history of this beautiful song.

Timeless, ageless, and borderless. A global classic tune that resonates and transcends all races and cultures. If there's a time machine, 'Danny Boy's' tune will keep ringing and will forever be sung, from cradle to grave, in all generations.

My grandmother, who had a wonderful singing voice & was of part Irish descent, used to sing that song to me as a young child. She had quite a vocal range. Unfortunately, she died suddenly of a heart attack when she was only 66 years old. While I was visiting her on that day instead of going to a cousin's birthday party, she was just finishing up writing her life's history. Several hours later after returning home, we received a call that she was gone. It was such a terrible shock to me, and I will never forget her or the wonderful memories. Please cherish your grandparents because they can make a real difference in your life! She loved the Lord, her family and fellow man. May she R.I.P.

I love Danny Boy sung or played by anyone. It's music reaches the inmost regions of my spirit from ages back.

Danny Boy Is one of the greatest songs ever. The tune and lyrics are heart warming and emotional at the same time. I listen to it a few times a month.

I’m Northern Irish and I thank you for putting this history together. As a child, I knew it as Londonderry Air. I still love it as Danny Boy. It always makes me think of the First World War and the loss of loved ones. It still makes me cry today. My ancestors are Scottish and my Dad was born in Canada. As a tiny baby, he came home without a passport. Later years, neither the British or Irish would give him a full passport. He wrote to the Canadian Authorities who found his record of birth and issued him with a temporary passport. A time after my mother died my father journeyed to Canada, with a clean unstamped passport and while the ‘Troubles’ still raged. He got an awful lot of attention on arrival in Canada. Boy did we chuckle. My dad was a man with a brilliant sense of humour, a Poet and a great story teller too.

I’m now 73, my mother is Scottish and my father English, and I was named after that Irish tune. No doubt countless others were as well. My son’s middle name is Daniel so the legacy goes on. Cheers.

At our family gatherings the dads and our uncles would start to sing songs and Danny Boy was always one of those 💜

I am aged 68 years and the earliest memory was my father singing Danny boy to me to get me to sleep as child, I love that song 🫶🏻

There is something very deeply moving; spiritual, about the melody and lyrics that touches our souls. And if you are not crying before it ends, hitting those last two high notes will certainly open the flood gates..!!

To me, this will always be about my cousin Danny. His Mother, my Aunt played it Beautifully. They’re together now, in Peace. ❤

I remember growing up in the 60's and my father singing this. The only song I remember him singing. Between it and "Amazing Grace" on the pipes I could listen to every day. Thank you for the history lesson. Much appreciated!

Listen to the 4 year old little girl sing Danny Boy on youtube. I've never been able to watch her without tears. She has such a sweet voice.

"Danny Boy" doesn't just TOUCH my heart. ... tears it out all over again.

Recently have listened to it sung inItalian by Andrea Bocelli. He also sings part of it in English as well. The message and emotion come across very wel in this language and probably others too. The arrangement also tugs at the emotions while the lyrics speak of pipes calling from glen to glen this version uses the drums in place of the pipes, like military band it is clearly a call to war. This aspect of the arrangement gives me goose bumps and makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up. Also as Andrea Bocelli is an Italian tenor he sings with more vibrato in his voice than most thus conveying the emotion behind it with gusto. Johanna Maine USA

Certainly one of my favorites. I just heard the Sinead O'Connor a cappella version and was impressed.

In a letter dated August 1928, Fred Weatherly wrote to a friend: " Danny Boy (my words written to the Londonderry Air) is published by Boosey & Co 295 Regent St. in Keys to suit different voices. I am glad you like the words- It was a piece of sheer good luck that gave me the inspiration necessary. The most beautiful music may sometimes fail to do this. "

I was told many years ago, Danny Boy was war song, father saying goodbye to his son! Wow, everyone has their own version. By the way, I’m not Irish, so whatever that makes me,l love the song and depends on how it’s sung, I do cry.

It’s my favorite song since I was a kid. I sang it hundreds of time. I’m now 75!

I always thought it was a parent's song about their son going off to war . In the second verse the parent wants the son to return home from service . It also says if the parent dies before the son's return , he is to go to the grave of the parent so they will know he survived and can finally rest in peace .

My father introduced me to the song. It was in China in the 1980s. He bought a cassette called “great light music” (or something similar). One of the tracks was “Londonderry Air.” China just opened up to the world at the time, and I had no idea that Londonderry was an entirely different place from London. I don’t think my father knew either. When the music started, my father said “ this one is called Londonderry air. It’s beautiful.” Many years later, I heard the song again under the title Danny Boy, by the King’s Singers. I thought: this is Londonderry Air. After some digging, I found out about the history of the song. I fell in love with it all over again, like reuniting with an old friend. My father passed away from cancer last year. I don’t know if he remembered the cassette. Never thought of asking him. Now I often sing Danny Boy to my daughter when I tuck her in bed. She was only a year and half when her grandpa passed. She still remembers him, albeit vaguely. I told her that mama first heard the song from grandpa. Thus it became a little family legacy. Art lives on. So does love. Now every time I sing this song to my daughter, I know that my father is still here with us, in sunshine or in shadow.

I remember my dad singing this song back in the ‘70’s when I was very young. His name was Dan, and he died when I was only 12 years old, so this song always makes me cry. But I think it’s one of the most beautiful songs ever written.

I am 81, from the Philippines. I learned to play the piece in my early teens at the piano by my female piano teacher. Love to play it ever since.

Jim Reeves did a fantastic version with his great voice And I think they were from Ireland, the Reeves family. The best from Sweden.

My dad played the violin.. Danny boy was the first tune he played.. It was also played at his funeral. ❤

I've thought, and still think 'Danny Boy' to be one of the most beautiful heart-felt and sad songs ever written since I first heard it at about 10 years of age.

My mother's grandmother who came over from England in the 1880's used to sing this to my mother and it always made her cry. My great grandmother died in 1935.

My grandparents came from counties Roscommon and Galway. My name is Daniel and I have wonderful memories of my grandmother singing this song to me and her listening to it on the radio in the bedroom next door. The recessional song for her funeral was this song.

I am 77 years old, my mother sang this to me when I was very young. It made me cry then as it does now; wonderful memories that a hitch in Viet Nam as a United States Marine still brings tears. This song MUST be sung by a woman or group of women.

For many years I rescued chained dogs. One of those dogs was a German Shepherd whom I named Danny Boy. One year, the most famous choirs in my city held a fundraiser for the society I rescued for. The whole evening was magic, but the best part was the last part when all the choirs were massed on stage singing Danny Boy as Danny and I stood at the side. I could hear the crying in the audience even over the sound of the choirs.

You did not mention Dennis Day from the Jack Benny radio and TV shows. He sang the Hell out of it.

My grandfather used to sing in pubs in London,after ww1, Danny boy was always his last song. I was always told it was a ww1 song for British and Irish troops,and was a song of unity I didn't know it was written by an Englishman. Its a beautiful song,my Dad sung to my little brother, Danny. We all called him Danny boy,and still do. He's 51. ❤️

Lyrics plus music make Danny Boy ultimate musical perfection. The imagery of the words, the emotion of the singer (I always consider it is a mother bidding her son goodbye as he goes off to way) are just overwhelming, and I can actually see her hugging and waving her arms with tears in her eyes. When the late Bill Evans played it on the piano, all these qualities were in plain view and music just doesn't get anyu better than this, Danny Boy......

I'm originally from N.Ireland and grew up hearing this song. I've now be living in America for over 20yrs and when I hear it played or sang I get homesick. I also feel the tears welling in my eyes. I'm now feeling the words of the song as my family that are still in N.Ireland pass away.

I’ve always thought of Danny Boy being sang by a lovely Irish girl, longing for her boy who sailed away to America to make his fortune. And by the time he makes it back to Ireland, she is dead and buried in the green soft meadow. He kneels by her headstone and cries softly telling her that he will always love her.

Thank you for giving this beautiful song the reverence it deserves. The song is so stirring both musically and lyrically. I never knew about the opera connection. Very interesting. Thank you for another wonderful presentation. 🎶

I was the first grandson, and my nana loved the song and wanted to call her first grandson Danny. It means so much to me, and it's great to hear about the history , thank you. In 03/02/23, I am 51yrs of age.

Thats an incredible story. My grandmother sang Danny Boy to me when many times it was my favourite song for her to sing, shedied when i was 14 I mourned her terribly but my first son was named Danny he really was a Bonny boy. I dearly love the song to this day. Thank you for sharing such a beautiful video about something so important.

I'm really loving the history and folklore you've been releasing.

I grew up listening to my father sing this song for his mother in law every Christmas and as I am now in my sixties appreciate the song more and I must say it always gave me chills.

This was one of my father’s very favorite songs. Leaves a lump in my throat when I preform it for my family at gatherings.

This was my Grandmother's favorite song. The absolute best version of this song was performed by Eva Cassidy. No other version compares.

My Grandmother's boyfriend used to sing this at Christmas every year as I accompanied on piano. After watching this video I have much more respect for this song now. Thank you.

Love the song, now the meaning and origin behind it makes me love it even more. Kilted for life!!

Canadian of Irish and Scottish roots "Danny Boy" runs deep to my heart. My brother (recently deceased) was named Danny (not Daniel) and this song held meaning for our family. I sang this song as a bed time lullaby to our daughters. Singing it long, low and slow brought our children to their gentle sleep on many a night. I've just decided this piece of music will be played for any celebration of my life at my passing. At 70 yrs of age I'm thinking about these things. Now, do I want it by bagpipe, male tenor, children's choir or have attendees join in for a sing song? Thanks for the (news to me) history.

My middle name is Daniel and my grandfather's friend, (Daniel) would usually sing the first few words to me. One day I was feeling nostalgic and, started researching and realized it's deeper than it seems. Thanks for the video. From, NM, USA.

Thank you for the video. It was an absolutely great to hear about the history of such a beautiful song. Even though I am not Irish, I have always LOVED THIS SONG! And the culture that it has adorned. God bless and be well...

Being of Irish descent, as well as a lover of history, I enjoyed your presentation so very much. Yes, it simple stirs something deep in my heart I will always love the haunting melody and story of someone leaving, someone having to stay and perhsps, die, only to rest in peace when the lived one returns. I think a parent would call a son, Danny BOY, but it could be sweethearts or brothers. It's incredibly unforgettable.

I was so excited to get a record player and a couple of records for my birthday when I was 9 or 10 years old. The first record I played, a 45, was Oh Danny Boy by Jim Reeves. I have always loved that song. The other record I received was the Legend of Bonnie and Clyde by Merle Haggard. Great memories!

Well done. I love the song and have sung it for a long time. We've sung it in the NC DAR state conference choir and I have sung it at funerals and just sung it by myself. Next request, Greensleeves.

Danny Boy was my mother's favourite song. Now I know why, She grew up in Londonderry. I have a new pup and I have named him Dannyboy so this is very interesting to me.

"Danny Boy",,, I can still remember my German Oma and Mom humming this music! I'm 72, and get heart broken a little each time I hear it.

As the commentator said - the pipes calling from glen to glen certainly speaks to the lyricist having at least one foot in Scotland. Also the idea that the singer is a love interest seems equally as plausible as it being a parent. Either way, when well sung Danny Boy brings a tear to my eye.

I first heard Danny Boy by Patti LaBelle and the Bluebells, then Jackie Wilson, now I'm listening to everyone's versions, my favorite- Patti LaBelle (stays in your head,/so touching) Jackie Wilson (most dynamic and dramatic version) and Eva Cassidy ( angelic/ most heart wrenching so beautiful, especially after you hear her story). That being said, I don't think anyone can miss with Danny Boy just get the words right

One more highlight I think deserves mention. the song was again repurposed and re arranged to be the theme song to Danny Thomas's TV show. The song was given a 40s-50s big band vibe that makes it very listenable.

thanks, an excellent video - terrific work you've done there, presenting it

Danny Boy is the most heart rending song I know. In my interpretation as a soldier, it's the last song of a lover left behind when you go off to war. She's in danger too and doesn't know if she'll be there if you return. War takes its tole on everyone and is hardly ever justified.

I must have heard Danny Boy sang 1000 times and I am not very old. I don't know who really wrote it but NOBODY can sing it better than Jackie Evancho. She performs it in her classical voice and there is simply no comparison. Period!!!!! 🇮🇪🍀💚 She was just a teenager from Philadelphia when she recorded it. 🇺🇸❤🎵

I love this song because it reminds me of the son of a friend of mine that I was very fond of. Danny is in his fifties now, and we have remained friends through the years. We live in opposite corners of the country from each other today, but when I hear this song, it seems to bring us back together for a few minutes.

My Mum is from Enniscorthy, my Dad from Kent. I grew up with my Mum and Grandpa singing this song, but always felt that it's such a traditional Irish song, some how l couldn't lay claim as part of my heritage, l love the fact the music is Irish and the lyrics written by an English man. Never knew that. 😊🍀😊

Such a great presentation! Learned so much about this beautiful song!

This song is an emotional experience. Another song that has an indeterminant message is House Of The Rising Sun. Both pieces of music tell sad stories with vague beginnings, foggy proceedings, and uncertain destinations. Anyway, they seem that way to me. Courtesy of Half Vast Flying

The most beautiful thing about this song is it's cross cultural nature. The melody from the harps of Londonderry as a folk tune then the lyrics written by an Englishman living in Cornwall. The lyrics themselves carry relationships between the Brythonicpeoples of the British Isles, then mix with that the history of the times and what must have seemed the end of days and the war to end all wars "Danny Boy" was to become a song and tune for all of Britain and then for all of the English speaking world. We leave it in the safe repose of the Irish who will make sure that it will forever be a most topical tune to be sung by all at all occasions

Thank you for this great video. Now we understand the depth of this popular air.

I've heard that Weatherly's sister in-law was living in Colorado and heard an Irish miner singing it and told him about it. Of course I'm in Colorado and like that part of the story.

Nice! Thank you for this! I will be playing Danny Boy several times this week and more during the rest of the month with my band, Tom Keefer and Celtic Cross. Five gigs in the next 4 days! And I'll be pushing our new CD, which does not include Danny Boy, lol.

My sister’s boyfriend died at 27 in a freak accident. He loved Danny Boy and always asked for it when we were at an Irish pub. Every time I hear it, I think of him. BTW, we call it the DERRY air.

I have an original piece of sheet music entitled “Oh, Eily Dear”… not in parenthesis after “Danny Boy” but as a firm title of its own. Same tune, same everything including (in fact EXACTLY THE SAME AS) the large white page format with black lettering/font but with “Oh, Eily Dear” instead of “Danny Boy”.

The presentation was excellent, well done, really well spoken with genuine interest.

I was born and raised in Eire The story we were told was a musician was walking home one night from the pub he decided to lay down in a small field he fell asleep and was woken by this magical music which he called the Derry Air Londonderry Air called by some. The music got to Germany the words were written by a German father to his son going off to war . I love that music and song 💕💕💕

My all-time favorite rendition of Londonderry Aire is by violinist Nigel Kennedy. Hauntingly beautiful and brings a tear to my eye every time.

My mother sang this beautiful song with sad words. I was about 4/5 years old . yes it still brings tears and an aching heart . Now I am in my 87 th year snd Danny boy remains as one of favourites. The old black people of my village in British Guiana now known as Guyana . sang it So lovely to hear them include it amongst their hymns like The old rugged Cross, and Abide with me .

The only tune I ever learned to play on the piano when i went thru a teach-myself-piano phase ! I still can't hear it without tearing up, there is something so magical in the music that it 'gets' me every time I hear it - my father used to sing it regularly so I grew up with it altho we only had a smidgeon of Irish in the family ! I think it's a song sung by either a parent/grandparent about a son, or a wife/lover about a partner, either lost or waiting for. It is incredibly beautiful, both the music & the words speak to your heart !

My mother and Father were Irish my Fathers Father saw service in the First World War in the Irish rifles and the Irish fusiliers. My youngest brother is called Danny affectionately know as Danny boy. That song was a firm favourite in our house and could always bring a tear to my Mum and Dads eye reminding them of Ireland. And the family back home. I think it was about a soldier and the longing to see him again it could of been about a son brother and a sweetheart. Which ever you wanted it to be that’s why it’s so popular it meant different things to different people. Hoping against hope he’d comee back when summer was in the meadow. Beautiful song beautiful words and tune. Sinead O Conner did a beautiful rendition of it on the late show it’s on U Tube .

My Northern Irish grandad, who had a marvelous voice, would occasionally sing this amazing song and weep. As a young child , astonished, mesmerized by the sight of an emotional adult, and moved by the tune and words, I will always love this song. And I thought it was about Irish people leaving Ireland for the USA?

OMG! Brilliant. I am an old lady, ist generation Irish. Love this episode. I just subscribed. This song hits me hard in the heart. Love Maureen

Have you forgotten the booming voice of Paul Robeson and the melodious Judith Durham singing this wonderful song ?

Named my second son after the song! Never had a song continuously move me as much. It never fails.

One of the Songs that move me everytime I hear it.I know it from The Pogues and Johnny Cash.Needless to say,I had some tears in my eyes again after watching your Video.Another interesting History lesson.Thankyou from Germany.

Great video!

My Uncle Thomas Norman was a talented singer and won prizes for singing Danny Boy in the 1930's. He was later called up to fight in the second world war with the Royal Leicestershire regiment and was killed at LeHarve in France on the 11th of September 1944 aged 21. He was buried in LeHarve at the St Marie cemetery there in a military grave. No one from the family had ever been to the grave as they were not from a particularly wealthy background. However, as his nephew and as an ex-serviceman myself I undertook a trip to find his grave and lay a wreath in 2013 with my son and wife. On finding his grave we could see some engraving on the bottom hidden behind some flowers on inspection we were astonished to see the words "You'll come and find the place where I am lying, we loved you so Danny Boy" We were stunned no one in the family had ever mentioned the inscription. We can only assume it was his mother's choice of words at the time of the commonwealth war grave erection of his gravestone. If it was she never told anyone. She used to cry whenever she heard it sung in pubs or clubs for her lost son. It has become the choice song at all of the Norman family funerals and hopefully will always be so.

Very interesting. Every one of us wanted to be an Irish when hearing this song. One of my bucket list is to visit Ireland, smell the Irish air and drink Guinness. Lots of it.

I know that Kate Smith recorded this, as we played it at my dad’s funeral. I also seem to remember Danny Thomas singing it on his television show.

How can you not mention one of the Celtic Woman versions? My Mother loved it when our local 'singing bartender' would perform it. When tired or depressed with too much to drink, it will get me on a crying jag. It's something to see a grown man cry, turning our armor to rust.

Wow thanks for that in depth historical explanation of the song. Having Scottish and Irish family history I am always fascinated with any historical references from that area. My father was a WWII veteran and requested bag pipes with AmazingGrace at his funeral. He had a twin brother named Daniel that died several decades before him but we always used to talk about the song because of the name.