Bill Hughes formed the idea of a trio of Irish tenors during a Cannes festival at which the famous Three Tenors, Luciano Pavarotti, José Carreras and Plácido Domingo were performing. Hughes wanted to produce a television special and first approached Ireland's Finbar Wright in 1998 to join the group but Wright's recording contract with Sony BMG prohibited such a venture. Hughes then invited Canadian John McDermott to head up the group and he accepted. After conferring with Ireland's leading vocal coach, Dr. Veronica Dunne, Anthony Kearns and Ronan Tynan were asked to join. In 1999, "The Irish Tenors-in Dublin" debuted on PBS television in the United States.
PBS signed up for another special by the increasingly popular new group but early in 2000 McDermott's mother died and John decided he could not fully commit himself to the group. Days before PBS was to film The Irish Tenors - Live in Belfast Hughes again contacted Finbar Wright and asked him to step in. Wright agreed to help and was asked to stay on for upcoming tour dates. Having left Sony, Wright was able to join the trio on a permanent basis.
In 2001, the Irish Tenors filmed their third special, an historic PBS broadcast at New York's Ellis Island , hosted by Irish/American actor Martin Sheen. Their album "Ellis Island" topped Billboard's Heatseeker list and landed on its "Top 10 Best of 2001".
In 2006, after Tynan left the group to concentrate on his solo career, Karl Scully was asked by Kearns and Wright to join the trio. This successful blend of voices spurred Bill Hughes to produce a television 9 part series for Ireland's RTE titled The Irish Tenors & Friends. Friends performing on the television special with The Irish Tenors include Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber , Paul Carrick, Finbar Furey , Hayley Westenra , Shayne Ward , Sharon Shannon, Peter Grant , Rebecca Storm, Lucia Evans , and Celine Byrne.
In 2007 the South Carolina Legislature issued a "Proclamation" welcoming the trio to that State at their performance in Charleston.
The trio continues to tour yearly.
Danny Boy
The Irish Tenors Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
From glen to glen, and down the mountain side
The summers gone, and all the flowers are dying
'tis you, 'tis you must go and I must bide.
But come you back when summers in the meadow
Or when the valleys hushed and white with snow
'tis I'll be there in sunshine or in shadow
And if you come, when 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 shall hear, tho' soft you tread above me
And all my grace 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.
The Irish Tenors' song Danny Boy is a heartfelt ballad about love, loss, and longing. The lyrics paint a picture of a farewell between two lovers, with Danny Boy being called away from his sweetheart due to circumstances beyond his control. The first two lines of the song are particularly striking: "Oh Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling / From glen to glen, and down the mountain side." These lines refer to the traditional Irish instrument, the uilleann pipes, which were often played at funerals and other solemn occasions. The metaphorical use of the pipes here suggests that Danny Boy is being called away to his own funeral, or at least to a time of great sorrow and mourning for both him and his beloved.
The second stanza offers some hope for the lovers to be reunited, even if it's only in memory: "But come you back when summers in the meadow / Or when the valleys hushed and white with snow / 'tis I'll be there in sunshine or in shadow / Oh Danny boy, oh Danny boy, I love you so." The repetition of the phrase "Oh Danny boy" throughout the song adds to the sense of longing and sadness, as if the beloved's name is a talisman that the singer can hold onto even after they part. The final stanza is particularly poignant, as it imagines Danny Boy returning to the place where his lover has been laid to rest, and kneeling to say a prayer for her. The idea that their love could endure even beyond death is a powerful one, and gives the song a sense of transcendent beauty.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling
Danny, the sound of the Irish pipes is calling out to you
From glen to glen, and down the mountain side
The melancholic tune echoes through the valleys and finishes amongst the foothills
The summers gone, and all the flowers are dying
Summer has ended, and the flora is preparing for the onset of autumn
'tis you, 'tis you must go and I must bide.
You have to leave, but I will stay, as you are being called away by destiny
But come you back when summers in the meadow
Return to me, preferably during the summertime where the meadows are bright and lively
Or when the valleys hushed and white with snow
When the valleys are silent and covered in a blanket of snow, return to me then too
'tis I'll be there in sunshine or in shadow
Whether it be a cheerful or sorrowful moment in time, I will be there for you
Oh Danny boy, oh Danny boy, I love you so.
Danny, my affection for you is never-ending
And if you come, when all the flowers are dying
If you come back to me when everything is bleak and colourless
And I am dead, as dead I well may be
If I have passed away, which is quite possible
You'll come and find the place where I am lying
Please come and visit my final resting place
And kneel and say an "Ave" there for me.
Kneel down and say a prayer for the peace of my soul
And I shall hear, tho' soft you tread above me
Despite your steps being muffled, I will still hear you pass above my grave
And all my grace will warmer, sweeter be
Your grace will make me feel more loved and tranquil
For you will bend and tell me that you love me
When you return, you will confess your love to me, and I will feel it in my heart
And I shall sleep in peace until you come to me.
I will rest in eternal peace and tranquillity until the moment that you come back to me
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@frankieleftwich5310
This was sung at my mother's graveside service. She was 103 and loved this song. It always makes me tearful.
@lloydsavage1520
I have sang this song to my Christian friend Danny who now is with the Lord may he rest in peace till we meet again and be glad we are back together again to sing and enjoy life.
@littlewing61
My brother Danny died when he was 10 years old along with my two sisters Donna and Pamela in a fire, my dad sang this song so beautifully and with such passion while he worked all the time. Takes me back....
@cja12345
littlewing61 I hope you're doing okay
@cuhulainsblood
My God that was awful, thats a heavy cross to carry. God bless your family.
@g-girl9867
@@cuhulainsblood Still here. My heart goes with you cuhulainsblood. “Time cannot change, nor chance impair our love”………………..
@gailjestus5734
Such a sad story, so sorry for your loss 🙏🙏🙏
@kaywynne9889
Beautiful, how lovey!☘️
@PrettyNerd44
When my grandfather dies, I probably won't be able to listen to any Irish Tenor songs without crying my eyes out. Hy grandpa is 100% Irish and he always plays the Irish Tenor CD that he has in his car with me and we always sing along. I love you Poppop!
@GodForHire
My Grandfather, a World War 2 veteran and father of 8, had this song played at his memorial service. I don't think I'll ever hear it again without thinking of him. Love you grandpa Pat.