Danny Boy
Music by Rory Dhall O'Cahan (c.1600)
Lyric by Fred Weatherly (1913)
Arr. Glenn Weiser
Although this is undoubtedly the most celebrated of all Irish songs, it remains little known
that the melody is from a 17th century harp composition. Some musicologists
consider this air the most perfect example of a folk melody in existence.
G G7 C
Oh Danny Boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling
D7 G C G Em D G D7
From glen to glen and down the mountain side
G G7 C
The summer's gone and all the flowers are dying
Am G D7 G C G
It's you, It's you must go and I must bide
D7 G C D G
But come ye back when summer's in the meadow
D7 Em D/C G/B D A7 D7
Or when the valley's hushed and white with snow
G C G
Tis' I'll be there in sunshine or in shadow
Em G G/B C D G C G
Oh Danny Boy, oh Danny Boy, I love you so
D7 G G7 C
But when you come and all the flowers are dying
D7 G C G Em D G D7
If I am dead, and dead I well may be
G G7 C
You'll come and find the place where I am lying
Am G D7 G C G
And kneel and say an Ave there for me
D7 G D/A G/B G
And I shall hear tho' soft you tread above me
D7 Em D/C G/B D A7 D7
And all my dreams will warmer sweeter be
G C G D Em
If you'll not fail to tell me that you love me
G G/B C D G C G
I'll simply sleep in peace until you come to me
Copyright 1989 G. Weiser
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