Danny had the complication of being a drug addict and also being straight. Rufus says their affair was limited to "lying around and kissing," but Danny still burrowed into his heart. It was a painful memory, but one that gave Rufus impetus for two songs.
Speaking with Songfacts in 2020, Wainwright said that Danny survived his addiction and moved back to his hometown of Nova Scotia, where he started a family.
Running 6:12, "Danny Boy" was produced by Jon Brion, who played the guitar and organ on the track. Rufus played a tack piano, and the drums were handled by session legend Jim Keltner.
Like much of Wainwright's work, it's influenced by opera music, especially the dramatic and quasi-tragic lyric.
Danny Boy
Rufus Wainwright Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But the sun shines within your hold
Your hair is gold, but you see through a goldfish bowl
I feel old, sick and tired
We walk the streets, gently staring, wondering what to do
The sun in sheets, pouring down those streets to eyes green and blue
And a ship with eight sails could come 'round the bend
Or a herd of bulls charging stop lights red
[Chorus]
You broke my heart Danny Boy
Not your fault Danny Boy
I was hanged at the doorstep, played like a two to a four set
Had like poor Job in the bible, by God
Day comes, I wake, I wake with a hard heartache
I go down to your place
We sit and chat, chat about New York and trips to the bayou
My smile a trick, tricking me and trying not to scare you
And a ship with eight sails could come 'round the bend
Or a herd of bulls charging stop lights red
I'd be blind
[Chorus]
I was hanged at the doorstep, played like a two to a four set
Had like poor Job in the bible, by God
I was hanged at the doorstep, played like a two to a four set
Had like poor Job in the bible, by God
No, no, no, no, no
No, no, no, no, no
The song "Danny Boy" by Rufus Wainwright is a melancholic and contemplative ballad. The opening lines "Your skin is cold, but the sun shines within your hold" evoke a sense of physical and emotional distance between the singer and the subject of the song, Danny Boy. The image of seeing through a goldfish bowl further emphasizes this distance, suggesting that the singer may feel somewhat removed from reality or unable to connect fully with the people around him. The lyrics "I feel old, sick and tired" suggest that the singer is struggling with feelings of exhaustion and perhaps depression.
The chorus, "You broke my heart Danny Boy, not your fault Danny Boy" seems to suggest that Danny Boy has done something to hurt the singer, but that the singer does not blame him for it. It could be interpreted as the acknowledgement of the complexities of human relationships, and the fact that people can unintentionally cause pain to others, even while trying to do their best.
The vivid imagery in the song - the sun in sheets, a ship with eight sails, or a herd of bulls charging stop lights red - adds to the dreamlike quality of the song. Overall, "Danny Boy" is a poignant and introspective song, exploring themes of loneliness, nostalgia, and heartbreak.
Line by Line Meaning
Your skin is cold,
Despite the warmth you emit, physically, you are cold
But the sun shines within your hold
However, inside of you, there is a bright and brilliant soul
Your hair is gold, but you see through a goldfish bowl
Your appearance is stunning, but you see the world through a distorted view
I feel old, sick and tired
I feel drained by life and weighted by exhaustion
We walk the streets, gently staring, wondering what to do
We are aimlessly wandering without a clear purpose or destination
The sun in sheets, pouring down those streets to eyes green and blue
The sun illuminates everything in sight and displays its beauty to us
And a ship with eight sails could come 'round the bend
Anything is possible and anything could happen at any moment
Or a herd of bulls charging stop lights red
The unpredictable and dangerous aspects of life can suddenly appear
I'd be blind
I am unprepared for what may come
You broke my heart Danny Boy
Danny Boy, you have caused me emotional pain
Not your fault Danny Boy
Even though you have caused me pain, I do not hold you responsible for it
I was hanged at the doorstep, played like a two to a four set
I was emotionally manipulated and treated unfairly
Had like poor Job in the bible, by God
I felt like Job from the Bible, who was also unfairly tested by God
Day comes, I wake, I wake with a hard heartache
Every morning, I wake up with a heavy heart filled with pain
I go down to your place
Despite the pain, I still visit you
We sit and chat, chat about New York and trips to the bayou
We talk about anything but my pain and troubles
My smile a trick, tricking me and trying not to scare you
My smile is a facade trying to hide my pain from you
No, no, no, no, no
An expression of denial or refusal to face the truth
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Rufus Wainwright
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind