Pure is the fastest-selling international début classical album to date, and Westenra became an international star, aged 16, when the first of her international albums were released. In August 2006, Westenra joined the Irish group Celtic Woman and toured with them on their 2007 Spring Tour.
Westenra has performed for dignitaries around the world. She is the youngest UNICEF Ambassador to date and has contributed to charities around the world.
Hayley Westenra's music was featured prominently in the 2007-2008 Nintendo Wii game, Endless Ocean.
See also (references):
- Official website: www.hayleywestenra.com
- This bio: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hayley_Westenra
Danny Boy
Hayley Westenra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
From glen to glen, and down the mountain side
The summer's gone, and all the flowers are dying
'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
And I'll be here in sunshine or in shadow
Oh Danny boy, oh Danny boy, I love you so.
And if you come, when all the flowers are dying
And 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.
But I will hear, tho' soft you tread above me
And all my dreams will warm and sweeter be
If you'll not fail to tell me that you love me
I'll simply sleep in peace until you come to me.
I'll simply sleep in peace until you come to me.
Hayley Westenra's rendition of "Danny Boy" may easily become a favorite for those who long to hear about lost loves and the inevitability of separation. Using the symbol of the pipes to represent the distance between loved ones - "the pipes, the pipes are calling" - Danny Boy is asked to visit his love's grave. However, the song is not all sadness and despair. The poet implores Danny Boy to return home when summer arrives or when the valley is "hushed and white with snow." The reference to snow and quietude brings with it an acceptance of nature's ebb and flow and the shifting rhythms of life.
Despite being a song about death and grieving, "Danny Boy" is also about love that conquers all. The persona encourages Danny Boy to tell her he loves her every chance he gets, even after she has passed on. The poet seems to be saying that as long as love is there to soothe the soul, the pain of separation, even from beyond the grave, can be borne. The song ends on an optimistic note, with a promise that the persona will sleep in peace until Danny Boy comes to her.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling
The sound of bagpipes is drawing you away
From glen to glen, and down the mountain side
Through the hills and along the slope
The summer's gone, and all the flowers are dying
It's the end of the warm season; nature is fading away
'Tis you, 'tis you must go and I must bide.
You have to leave, and I have to stay behind
But come ye back when summer's in the meadow
Return when the grass is green and the sun is shining
Or when the valley's hushed and white with snow
Or when the snow has covered the landscape in silence
And I'll be here in sunshine or in shadow
I'll be waiting for you, no matter what the circumstances are
Oh Danny boy, oh Danny boy, I love you so.
I love you deeply, Danny boy
And if you come, when all the flowers are dying
If you happen to come when everything is dying
And I am dead, as dead I well may be
And if I have died by then
You'll come and find the place where I am lying
Please visit my grave
And kneel and say an "Ave" there for me.
And pray for my soul
But I will hear, tho' soft you tread above me
I'll be aware of your presence, even if you move quietly beside me
And all my dreams will warm and sweeter be
My dreams will become happier and more comforting
If you'll not fail to tell me that you love me
If you express your love to me, I'll be content
I'll simply sleep in peace until you come to me.
I'll rest in peace, waiting for your visit
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Traditional
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Anshi Jay
Very few people in this world are blessed with a angelic voice like Hayley! She is wonderful!
Augusto Ramón Ruiz Díaz Rolón
Maravillosa melodía y maravillosa interpretación de la extraordinaria Hayley !!!!
John Sawyer
Indeed, and indeed again. There are voices, and there's Hayley's voice, above the rest. You can't quantify how beautiful it is... just hear, listen, and she'll bring any song alive...
Astavy08
crystal clear beautiful voice....and i love this song
Gary Hieronymus
I love this young ladies voice and virtually all her performances, so glad to hear her sing a great version of Danny Boy. I saw one where unbelieveable she slaughered it. This makes up for that. Thanks for putting this up, great job Haley, get them girl.
strongbadian4747
Best version I've ever heard. Period. Brilliant arrangement.
haleygrace1
She has an amazing voice and this is a great song!
bdboydean
This is a beautiful video. What an appropriate mixture of voice and song. Thank you for the video and thank you Hayley Westenra.
chiberz
Aw, gawd. This song always makes me cry. It was my brother's name and he passed away last year. This was played at this funeral (though sung by someone else). Still beautiful.
steve hall
Without a doubt the most pure voice I have ever heard !!! Beautiful !!!