Danny Boy
Johnny Preston 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" by Johnny Preston is a melancholic and emotional ballad about separation and love. The song tells the story of Danny Boy, who has to leave his loved one, possibly due to an unfortunate circumstance. The opening lines, "Oh Danny Boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling" refer to the traditional Irish instrument, the bagpipe, which is commonly played at funerals. This suggests that Danny Boy might have passed away, and his departed soul is calling out to his loved one.


Throughout the song, the lyrics illustrate the emotions of the singer as he reminisces about the time he spent with Danny Boy. The lyrics convey a deep sense of longing and love, as Danny Boy's significant other must leave him. The line, "It's you, it's you, must go and I must bide" highlights the sadness of separation. However, the singer urges Danny Boy to return someday and promises that he will be waiting. He sings, "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!"


The final verse of the song reveals a glimmer of hope as the singer imagines Danny Boy visiting him in the afterlife. The lines, "And kneel and say an Ave there for me, And I shall hear, though soft you tread above me," suggest that even in death, they will be reunited. The song ends on a peaceful note, with the singer sleeping in peace until Danny Boy comes to join him.


Line by Line Meaning

Oh, Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling
Danny, I hear the sweet music of the pipes calling out to you


From glen to glen, and down the mountain side
The sound of the pipes echoes through the valleys and down the mountainside


The summer's gone, and all the roses falling
The summer has ended, and the flowers are wilting and falling to the ground


It's you, it's you, must go and I must bide
You must leave me, and I must stay behind


But come ye back when summer's in the meadow
Please come back to me when the fields are green and the sun is shining


Or when the valley's hushed and white with snow
Or when the valley is silent and covered in white snow


It's I'll be here in sunshine or in shadow
I will be waiting for you, whether it is a bright day or a dark night


Oh, Danny boy, oh Danny boy, I love you so!
Danny, my dear Danny, I love you more than you can know!


But when ye come, and all the flowers are dying
When you return to me, the flowers will have wilted and died


If I am dead, as dead I well may be
If I have passed away, as is possible


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


And kneel and say an Ave there for me
You will kneel and pray for my soul


And I shall hear, though soft you tread above me
I will hear your footsteps even though they are soft above me


And all my grave shall warmer, sweeter be
My resting place will feel warmer and sweeter because of your presence


For you will bend and tell me that you love me
You will lean down and whisper that you love me


And I shall sleep in peace until you come to me!
And I will rest in peace until the next time we are together




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Frederick E. Weatherly

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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