Danny Boy
Harry Belafonte Lyrics


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

But when ye 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, though soft you tread above me,
And all my grave will warmer, sweeter be,




For you will bend and tell me that you love me,
And I shall sleep in peace until you come to me!

Overall Meaning

The song "Danny Boy," sung by Harry Belafonte, is a classic ballad about love and loss. The singer is speaking to his lover, Danny Boy, and asking him to come back to him after he must leave. The pipes, possibly representing the sound of bagpipes or Irish pipes, are calling to Danny Boy to return to his homeland, from "glen to glen, and down the mountain side." The singer states that he must stay behind, while Danny Boy must go, and that it is his love for him that makes him want to stay.


The second verse further emphasizes the singer's love for Danny Boy and his desire for him to return when the time is right. The singer promises to be there when the valley is hushed and white with snow or in sunshine or shadow. The third verse takes a melancholic turn, as the singer imagines Danny Boy returning to find him dead. Even in death, the singer asks that Danny Boy come to visit and say an Ave for him. The final lines of the song echo sentiments of eternal love, as the singer imagines Danny Boy bending down to tell him that he loves him, even after death.


Overall, "Danny Boy" is a heartfelt plea for love and friendship, emphasizing the strong bonds that can exist between two people.


Line by Line Meaning

Oh, Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling
Oh Danny boy, can’t you hear the call from the Scottish bagpipes?


From glen to glen, and down the mountain side.
The call is echoing through the valleys and mountains.


The summer's gone, and all the roses falling,
Summer is over, and with it, the roses are dying and falling.


It's you, it's you must go and I must bide.
You are the one who must leave, and I must stay.


But come ye back when summer's in the meadow,
Return to me when the meadows are green and bright with summer.


Or when the valley's hushed and white with snow,
Or when the valley is calm and peaceful and covered in snow.


It's I'll be here in sunshine or in shadow,
I will be here waiting for you, through good times and bad.


Oh, Danny boy, oh Danny boy, I love you so!
Oh Danny boy, I love you so deeply and completely.


But when ye come, and all the flowers are dying,
But when you return and the flowers are withering away,


If I am dead, as dead I well may be,
If I have passed away, which is a possibility.


You'll come and find the place where I am lying,
You will come visit my grave.


And kneel and say an Ave there for me.
And kneel down and say a prayer for me.


And I shall hear, though soft you tread above me,
And even though you walk lightly above me, I will hear you.


And all my grave will warmer, sweeter be,
And this will bring warmth and sweetness to my resting place.


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 then I will rest in peace until you join me.




Lyrics © Kanjian Music, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Traditional

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@acupun3

歌詞を覚えたいと思っています。間違っていたら教えて下さいね。宜しくどうぞ。
・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
And when the valley's hushed and white with snow
It's I'll be here in sunshine or in shadows
Oh Danny boy, ah Danny boy, I miss you so.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
・But if you found as all the flowers are dying
・And you are dead as dead you well may be 
・I'll come and find the place where you are lying
・And kneel and say an "Ave" there for thee.
♬ But come ye back when summer's in the meadow
Or when the valley's hushed and white with snow
It's I'll be here in sunshine or in shadows
Oh Danny boy, ah Danny boy, I love you so.



All comments from YouTube:

@mM-io9qj

ダニーボーイ🎼ハリー.ベラフォンテのダニーボーイが心に染みる!言葉では言い尽くせない尊い思いが伝わって来る💕…時代を越えた無償の愛!。

@oiyan1208

親父が大好きな歌で、幼少の頃から何度も聞かされ自分も大好きでした。
そんな親父も本日あの世に旅立ち、親父を偲ぶ想いで聞かせてもらってます。

@philippeuyttersprot7229

A great singer, an amazing nice voice and a lot of sensibility. thank You Mr BELAFONTE for all your career. Respect

@user-wm5ex4nu1v

日本語訳お願いします

@mommy48457

Truly one of the finest voices God has blessed us with....How awesome!

@cassewaldmanforczek172

My Father would have been 100 years old on March 4, 2020. He performed the legend of Danny boy during his 65+ year career as a Comedian/Emcee — there was a powerful story behind the Legend as he envisioned it: in a charming cottage in the Irish Countryside. i’m hoping to post his performance very soon in his memory. His stage name was Jimmy Casanova and his pen name was James W Wolfe. Miss him so. Belafonte’s rendition is the best I’ve heard... and I’m sure my “Papa” would agree!

@craigheffer85

Absolutely no better version! That feeling in lyrics so clearly sung! Goosebumps.

@ThomasWMutherJr

This is my favorite version of "Danny Boy" . . . by far! And for two reasons, 1) The lyrics have been changed somewhat from their traditional form, turning it from a beautiful, slightly sad tune, to a beautiful, heart rendingly haunting and tragic anti-war song, and 2) Belafonte delivers such a powerful and yet intimate performance, that warm, lovely voice so drenched with emotion that I cannot hear it but my eyes unfailingly well up with tears. It is one of my biggest regrets that I never saw him in concert. He actually played at a college about 60 miles from my home some 15 years ago, but I didn't hear about it until a few days afterward. :-( If I had been Jewish I would surely have rent my clothes and covered myself with ashes. One of my all-time favorite voices, and a good man.

@danielneece6404

Mine too

@barbaracooper5464

Absolutely.

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