Danny Boy
Aaron Neville Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

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
Cause I'll be here in sunshine, or in shadow
Oh Danny boy, oh Danny boy, I love you so




Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Aaron Neville's Danny Boy are filled with bittersweet sentiments of separation, longing, and love. The song is a ballad that was composed by English songwriter Frederic Weatherly in 1910. The song's narrator is bidding farewell to a loved one named Danny who must leave them and go on a journey. The first line of the song has a melancholic feel as the singer refers to the pipes calling which is often associated with the bagpipes played at funerals. The narrative continues as the singer highlights the beauty of the scenery that Danny will journey through.


The second verse of the song emphasizes the singer's pain at parting and how the changing of the seasons has a cyclical nature. The singer shares that summer is now gone, and the roses are falling, which is a metaphor for the sadness and a reminder that time is passing. The singer and Danny will be separated, but the singer wishes him well on his journey, expressing that it is Danny’s destiny to need to go. However, the assurance is made that the singer will be waiting for Danny, whether it's in summer or winter, regardless of their physical presence, the love and support will be constant.


Line by Line Meaning

Oh Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling
Oh Danny boy, listen to the sound of the bagpipes. They are calling out to you.


From glen to glen and down the mountain side
The pipes are echoing throughout the valleys and mountainsides.


The summer's gone, and all the roses falling
Summer has ended and the flowers have withered away, indicating the passage of time.


It's you, It's you must go and I must bide
You have to leave me and go on your own journey, while I must stay behind.


But come ye back when summer's in the meadow
When summer returns to the meadows, return to me.


Or when the valley's hushed and white with snow
Or return to me when the valley is peaceful and covered in snow.


Cause I'll be here in sunshine, or in shadow
I will always be here waiting for you, even when life is full of both joy and sorrow.


Oh Danny boy, oh Danny boy, I love you so
Oh Danny boy, I love you deeply and will miss you while you are away.




Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC, EMI Music Publishing
Written by: ARR: PETER HOPE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions