The Mormon Tabernacle Choir is made up of some 360 men and women, all of whom are volunteers. There are many husband-wife combinations and many families have participated in the choir for generations. Choir members are currently limited to twenty years of participation, allowing new members to join the choir on a regular basis.
The choir was founded in August 1847, one month after the Mormon Pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley. The choir is completely self-funded, traveling and producing albums to support their organization. Choir members are not paid for their participation or performances.
Although the choir has traditionally been recognized for its sound quality, the most recent director, Craig Jessop, a student of Robert Shaw, has made changes designed to improve the overall quality of the choir. Jessop's efforts to add vitality to the choir's sound include the formation of The Orchestra at Temple Square, the 2005 addition of The Bells on Temple Square (a hand bell choir), and continual refinement of the choir's tone, enunciation, and repetoire. The minimum age for participation has been reduced from 30 to 25. In addition, new choir members participate in The Temple Square Chorale training choir, a combination music theory/performance school led by associate director and composer/arranger Mack Wilberg.
Danny Boy
Mormon Tabernacle Choir Lyrics
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That floats and falls from off the twisted bough
To lie and faint within your silken bosom
Within your silken bosom as that does now.
Or would I were a little burnish'd apple
For you to pluck me, gliding by so cold
While sun and shade you robe of lawn will dapple
Your robe of lawn, and you hair's spun gold.
Yeah, would to God I were among the roses
That lean to kiss you as you float between
While on the lowest branch a bud uncloses
A bud uncloses, to touch you, queen.
Nay, since you will not love, would I were growing
A happy daisy, in the garden path
That so your silver foot might press me going
Might press me going even unto death.
The lyrics of "Danny Boy" as sung by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir express a deep longing to be with someone they love. The singer wishes they were the apple blossom that falls into their lover's bosom or the little apple they could pluck as they pass by. They long to be among the roses that lean in to kiss their love as they walk by, even if it is just the lowest bud that opens up to touch them. However, the singer also acknowledges that their love is unrequited, and they would be content to be a simple daisy on their lover's garden path, allowing their silver foot to press down on them, even unto death.
The use of nature imagery throughout the song conveys the singer's desire to be close to their beloved, even if it is just through the natural world around them. The gentle falling of the apple blossom or the opening of the rosebud symbolize the singer's wish to be as close to their love as possible. However, the final stanza, with the singer's acceptance of unrequited love and their willingness to be a simple daisy, adds a layer of sadness and resignation to the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Would God I were the tender apple blossom
Oh, how I wish I were a delicate apple blossom that falls from a twisted branch so that I could be close to you, resting peacefully on your soft bosom.
That floats and falls from off the twisted bough
I want to be free and unattached like the apple blossom that softly lands in your embrace after falling from a twisted tree branch.
To lie and faint within your silken bosom
My greatest dream is to rest calmly in your comfy and warm bosom, feeling the silk of your clothing against my skin.
Within your silken bosom as that does now.
Just like that apple blossom resting in your silky embrace, I want to be close to you and feel the comfort of your presence.
Or would I were a little burnish'd apple
Instead of a delicate blossom, I sometimes wish I was a burnished apple that you could gently pluck from a tree as you pass by, enjoying my sweet, crisp taste.
For you to pluck me, gliding by so cold
I long for you to take me gently in your hand, even if it is just for a moment, while you glide by in your cool, fleeting presence.
While sun and shade you robe of lawn will dapple
As you move through a field or garden with the sun and shadows playing across your dress, I imagine the beauty of the light and shade dancing on your gown.
Your robe of lawn, and you hair's spun gold.
I am enchanted by the glimpse of your lovely robe and your hair, which glistens in the sunlight like spun gold.
Yeah, would to God I were among the roses
If only I could be like one of the roses that sway to and fro, kissing you as you pass by, surrounded by the beauty and fragrance of the garden.
That lean to kiss you as you float between
Just like those roses that bend and brush against you, I long to be close to you and be able to touch you, even if it is just a passing moment.
While on the lowest branch a bud uncloses
As a soft bud opens on the lowest branch, I imagine you pausing and taking notice of its beauty, momentarily admiring its delicate features.
A bud uncloses, to touch you, queen.
That little bud would be so lucky to touch you, the queen of all beauty and grace.
Nay, since you will not love, would I were growing
Although I know you do not love me, I still dream of being like a simple, growing daisy on your garden path, enduring even to the point of death.
A happy daisy, in the garden path
I would gladly be a charming, happy daisy that happens to grow on your garden path, close to you and able to see you every day.
That so your silver foot might press me going
Perhaps your graceful, silver foot might accidentally step on me as you passed, but for a moment, I would be close to you and feel your gentle touch.
Might press me going even unto death.
Even if it meant my demise, I would cherish a moment being close to you, feeling your graceful step and knowing that I was near to the one I adore.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: TRADITIONAL / KENNEDY, NIGEL / MESSITER, MALCOLM / LENEHAN, JOHN WILLIAM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Anthony Mcgilvray
For my Danny Boy always and forever
Sulamita Fontes de Almeida
Hello! I'm Shepherdess Sulamita Fontes de Almeida and my family.