Danny Boy
Chloe Lyrics
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From glen to glen, and down the mountain side
The summer's gone, and all the roses falling
'Tis you, 'tis 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
'Tis I'll be here in sunshine or in shadow
But when he 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 shall hear, tho' soft you tread above me
And all my grave will warm and sweeter be
For you will bend and tell me that you love me
And I shall sleep in peace until you come to me.
Chloe Agnew’s rendition of the classic Irish song “Danny Boy” exudes a sense of longing and sadness. The first stanza sets up the scene of someone saying goodbye to their loved one who must leave their home and their partner. The pipes, an Irish instrument, are calling Danny away from his love, leaving her behind as he ventures down the mountainside. The second line represents the vast distance that Danny must travel - “from glen to glen” - emphasising that there is a vast distance between them. The third line evokes strong imagery of the end of summer, the leaves of the rose have fallen indicating that the end is near. The final line of the stanza reveals that Danny is the one who ultimately must leave, and his loved one must stay behind.
The second stanza provides a glimmer of hope that they will be reunited in the future. Agnew sings, “come ye back” and urges Danny to return when the sun shines on the meadow, or when the snow covers the valley. This phrase emphasises the deep love that the couple has for each other, and the promise that they will always be there for each other. Agnew then reveals that she will be waiting, emphasising her dedication to him. In the final line of the verse, Agnew repeats “I love you so” in a soft, evocative way, emphasising the depth of her love.
The final stanza expresses realistic acceptance of mortality, and the pain that it brings. Agnew sings about the inevitable end and suggests that if she is gone, then Danny will find her when flowers are dying. She asks him to kneel and say an “Ave,” a reference to a Catholic prayer, indicating that they are of that faith. The following line indicates that Agnew will hear Danny despite his soft footsteps because of her close proximity to him. The final line acknowledges that despite the pain and the loss, she will sleep in peace, knowing that they will eventually be reunited.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling
Oh Danny boy, the bagpipes are sounding mournfully, urging you to come hither
From glen to glen, and down the mountain side
The sound of the pipes echoes through the valleys and cascades down the hills
The summer's gone, and all the roses falling
Summer has passed, and the flowers are withering away
'Tis you, 'tis you must go and I must bide.
You must depart, while I remain behind
But come ye back when summer's in the meadow
Return to me when the fields are filled with summer's warmth
Or when the valley's hushed and white with snow
Or in the quiet stillness of winter, when the valley is blanketed in white
'Tis I'll be here in sunshine or in shadow
I will be here for you, whether in the light or the darkness
Oh Danny boy, oh Danny boy, I love you so.
My dear Danny boy, I love you deeply and passionately
But when he come, and all the flowers are dying
But when the time comes, and the flowers have wilted away
If I am dead, as dead I well may be
If I have passed away, as I am quite likely to do
You'll come and find the place where I am lying
You will come to the place where I am buried
And kneel and say an "Ave" there for me.
And kneel and offer a prayer on my behalf
And I shall hear, tho' soft you tread above me
And even though you walk above me softly
And all my grave will warm and sweeter be
My resting place will feel more comforting and pleasant
For you will bend and tell me that you love me
Because you will lean down and tell me that you love me
And I shall sleep in peace until you come to me.
And I will rest peacefully until the day you join me.
Lyrics © LIFFEY PUBLISHING LTD.
Written by: TERRY RENDALL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind