Garrett has performed across the whole world and has also sung opera and pop classics with Bryan Ferry, The Eurythmics and Mick Hucknall to celebrate the arrival of the new century on Millennium Eve, in the grounds at the Royal Observatory and National Maritime Museum.
She played the lead role of Hanna Glawari, in the Welsh National Opera's production of The Merry Widow, which toured the United Kingdom in 2005. As of November 2006, Garrett was performing as Mother Abbess for six months, in Andrew Lloyd Webber's revival of The Sound of Music.
As a recording artist, Garrett has released eleven solo albums. Many of her albums have received gold and silver status. Soprano in Red received the Gramophone Award for "Best-selling Classical Artist of the Year". Garrett was also a featured artist on the platinum selling Perfect Day single released by the BBC in aid of Children in Need.
Garrett is a member of the board of the English National Opera. In 2002, she was awarded the CBE for services to music.
She is also a presenter on the UK commercial radio station "Classic FM".
Danny Boy
Lesley Garrett 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 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,
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!
Lesley Garrett's rendition of the classic Irish ballad, Danny Boy, is a poignant and emotional tribute to lost love. The lyrics tell the story of a man bidding farewell to his loved one, as he sets out to do his duty. The pipes, symbolic of the traditional Irish bagpipes, are calling him from glen to glen and down the mountain side. The summer has ended, and the roses have fallen, indicating that it is time for him to leave. He reassures his lover that he will return when the summer is in the meadow, or when the valley is hushed and white with snow. He promises to be with her in sunshine or shadow, declaring his love for her.
The second verse of the song is more sombre as the man speaks about the possibility of his death, telling his lover that when he is gone, she should come and find the place where he is buried. He asks her to say an Ave at his resting place, and he assures her that even though he is not there, he will hear her soft footsteps and feel her love. He acknowledges that when she bends to tell him that she loves him, his grave will be warmer, sweeter, and he will be able to sleep in peace until she comes to him.
The lyrics of Danny Boy are touching and heartfelt, evoking a deep sense of longing, love and loss. Lesley Garrett's interpretation captures the essence of the song beautifully, with her warm and soulful voice bringing to life the emotions of the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling
Oh Danny boy, the sound of the bagpipes is calling out to you
From glen to glen, and down the mountain side.
The sound is echoing throughout the valleys and down the slopes of the mountains
The summer's gone, and all the roses falling,
The summer is over and the flowers are dying
It's you, it's you must go and I must bide.
You must leave and I must stay behind
But come ye back when summer's in the meadow,
Please come back when the summer grass is high in the fields
Or when the valley's hushed and white with snow,
Or when the valley is silent and covered in snow
It's I'll be here in sunshine or in shadow,
I will be here for you in good times and bad
Oh, Danny boy, oh Danny boy, I love you so!
Oh Danny boy, I love you deeply
But when ye come, and all the flowers are dying,
But when you return and the flowers have withered away
If I am dead, as dead I well may be,
If I have passed away, as I may have done
You'll come and find the place where I am lying,
You will come and find my resting place
And kneel and say an Ave there for me.
And kneel and say a prayer there for me
And I shall hear, though soft you tread above me,
I will hear you, even if you walk lightly over my grave
And all my grave will warmer, sweeter be,
My grave will be warmer and sweeter because of your love
For you will bend and tell me that you love me,
Because you will bow down and tell me that you love me
And I shall sleep in peace until you come to me!
And I will rest in peace until the day you join me
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: ARR: PETER HOPE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind