Danny Boy
Johnny Cash 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 fallin'
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
I'll be here in sunshine or in shadow
Oh Danny Boy, oh Danny Boy, I love you so

But if you come, and 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

And I will know, though soft ye tread above me
And then my grave will richer, sweeter be




And you'll bend down and tell me that you love me
And I will rest in peace until you come to me

Overall Meaning

The song "Danny Boy" is a well-known ballad that has been popular for over a century. It is a song about love, loss, and reminiscence. The song is written as a message from a father to his son, Danny, who is leaving home. The father tells his son that he must go and the father must stay. The lyrics describe the beautiful scenery and the sounds of the pipes calling Danny to leave. However, the father promises to always be there for him, waiting for his return when summer is in the meadow or when the valley is white with snow. He promises to be waiting with love in his heart, whether it's in sunshine or shadow.


The second verse speaks of the final goodbye, where the father tells his son that he will eventually pass, and when he does, Danny must come back to the place where he is buried and say a prayer for him. The father tells his son that he will hear him even though he has passed on, and that his grave will be richer and sweeter when Danny comes to visit him. The song is bittersweet as it speaks of letting go of a loved one but also holds the hope of reunion once again.


Line by Line Meaning

Oh Danny Boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling
Danny, nature is calling you to leave and it's a sign of a new beginning.


From glen to glen and down the mountain side
You must go through the hills and mountains to find your destiny.


The summer's gone, and all the roses fallin'
The time has come for change, the signs of summer are gone.


It's you, it's you must go and I must bide
Danny, you need to leave, but I must stay here for now.


But come ye back when summer's in the meadow
Come back to me when life is easy and peaceful.


Or when the valley's hushed and white with snow
Or when sadness has come, and everything is calm and frozen like snow.


I'll be here in sunshine or in shadow
I'll be here for you in good times and in bad times.


Oh Danny Boy, oh Danny Boy, I love you so
Danny, I love you very much.


But if you come, and all the flowers are dying
If you come back to me when things are falling apart.


And I am dead, as dead I well may be
And if I passed away by then.


You'll come and find the place where I am lying
You'll find my resting place.


And kneel and say an "Ave" there for me
And you'll pray for me there.


And I will know, though soft ye tread above me
And I'll have solace knowing that you came back.


And then my grave will richer, sweeter be
My resting place will be filled with memories and love.


And you'll bend down and tell me that you love me
You'll whisper to me that you still love me.


And I will rest in peace until you come to me
And I'll remain in peace until the day you join me.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Johnny Cash, Traditional

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

@ivangarciaix

Lyrics:
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 fallin'
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
I'll be here in sunshine or in shadow
Oh Danny Boy, oh Danny Boy, I love you so
But if you come, and 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
And I will know, though soft ye tread above me
And then my grave will richer, sweeter be
And you'll bend down and tell me that you love me
And I will rest in peace until you come to me



All comments from YouTube:

@wolfgangdrechsler8508

This voice is the voice of a man who has nothing to prove anymore. He nails the meaning of this song like hardly another artist ever did.

@duffrox1964

Thank you for sharing your comment.

@moritz-4742

The Pogues also have a great version though

@hayley8715

'Hurt' another that cuts deep

@OurBlackFriend

It's also the voice of a man who'd had a stroke

@eumeytimes

@Alex Stoll ok?

1 More Replies...

@andyfinucane9932

The day he died, NPR played this and afterwards the announcer lady was so choked up she couldn't talk.  To this day, the most moving thing I've ever heard on the radio.

@lindacirillo2089

+Andy Finucane    awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww  BLESSINGS TO JC,,, I HOPE TO SEE HIM IN THE HOLY KINGDOM :) <3

@slinger777

+Linda Cirillo I don't think you will see the npr lady but Johnny will be there.

@lindacirillo2089

haha,, :)  Funny!! haha,, NPR is a JOKE,, they BS,, JOHNNY,,, that a Real Man,,, Yes,, God surely love him and Know His Heart so PURE,,, :)

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