About the song
Background
“Danny Boy” is a traditional Irish folk song that has been covered by many artists over the years, including Tom Jones. The song is about a young man who is forced to leave his home and loved ones to go to sea. He sings of his longing for his homeland and his sadness at leaving. The song is often seen as a lament for the Irish diaspora, the millions of Irish people who were forced to emigrate from their homeland due to poverty and famine.
Themes
- Loss and longing: The song is about the pain of leaving one’s home and loved ones. The singer expresses his deep longing for his homeland and the people he has left behind.
- Patriotism: The song is also a patriotic expression of love for Ireland. The singer sings of the beauty of his homeland and his pride in being Irish.
- Hope: Despite the sadness of the lyrics, there is also a sense of hope in the song. The singer believes that he will one day return to his homeland.
Tom Jones’s performance
Tom Jones’s version of “Danny Boy” is one of the most popular recordings of the song. He is known for his powerful and emotive vocals, and his performance of “Danny Boy” is no exception. He captures the sadness and longing of the lyrics, and his voice soars as he sings of his love for Ireland.
Video
Lyrics
Oh, Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are callingFrom 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!