Re: Danny Boy

squidlips · Post by **squidlips** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 3:42 am

As I understood it from the PBS special (I used to have the DVD but it's gone now), they interviewed everyone who's ever done this song (Clapton, The Chieftains, etc) and then tracked down the origins. And as I recall, yes, it was a song about a father saying goodbye to his son who died in the war. I don't remember if the writer actually lost his son to war, I think a friend of his did, though. It was a wonderful program. I think you can buy it from PBS or amazon.And it says in the listing to keep it as close to a traditional arrangement as possible. I'm guessing by that (and this is the same listing as Nearer, btw), they want the melody line as close as possible to the original or traditional version but like Bird says, calling would nail that down.

allends · Post by **allends** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 5:16 am

Quote:I don't expect I'll even submit this one.IMHO that would be a shame. Your pop version highlights everything I like about your work. It's a real showcase of your talent at its best. Keep up the good excellent work!-Allen

mazz · Post by **mazz** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 5:34 am

Song,I can't listen to anything streaming from the TAXI site here at the day gig, probably due to the corporate firewall, but I have no doubt your arrangement is up to your usual high quality.I just want to add to Allen's post and say that one advantage of finishing a piece or arrangement, even if it turns out it's not right for the current listing, is that you can add it to your catalog and have it available in case an opportunity does come along for it. That one opportunity could keep you in beer or burgers (or tofu) for a long time to come!!FWIW,Mazz

michael11 · Post by **michael11** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 5:55 am

Quote:As I understood it from the PBS special (I used to have the DVD but it's gone now), they interviewed everyone who's ever done this song (Clapton, The Chieftains, etc) and then tracked down the origins. And as I recall, yes, it was a song about a father saying goodbye to his son who died in the war. I don't remember if the writer actually lost his son to war, I think a friend of his did, though. It was a wonderful program. I think you can buy it from PBS or amazon.And it says in the listing to keep it as close to a traditional arrangement as possible. I'm guessing by that (and this is the same listing as Nearer, btw), they want the melody line as close as possible to the original or traditional version but like Bird says, calling would nail that down. Wetherly did lose his son,I think,which is why that's the way I like to think of it.The way I read the lyric is that the son returns to his father,s grave, sorry I am going to have to try and remember this no time to google,But when you come and all the roses falling(not sure about this line!)If I am dead as dead I may well be You'll come and find the place where I am lyingAnd kneel and say an Ave there for meAnd I will hear though soft you tread above meAnd all my grave will warmer sweeter beAnd you will bend and tell me that you love meAnd I will sleep in peace until you come to meThat's pretty much as I remember it from the origional sheet music.What I always find difficult is the money note is on the word "bend" which makes it a bit tricky to sing. The business about "Tis you Tis You" is the Irish interpretation of"It's you It's you" which makes sense when you bear in mind Wetherly was English.

hummingbird · Post by **hummingbird** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 7:43 am

Quote:Thanks for the interesting discussions. There will be many submissions to this one I am sure, so I am trying to experiment with different things that might stand out. I am certain that is a gamble. Depending on who's interpretation you believe, this is a folk song, but possibly one about a son going off to war. Powerful stuff. So I took the arrangement in a different direction than normal.I have sung Danny Boy in three of its forms - the original Londonderry Air, the early 19th century Danny Boy... and also there is a hymn with this tune as well. Can't remember what it's called. In any case, the lyricist (even then) was writing for popular appeal and so the interpretation is up to the listener. He could of been going off to war... or he could have been leaving Ireland because poverty / potato famine... and in either case might not return. It could be sung by a woman for her love... but I also think it could be sung by a mother for her child.H

sgs4u · Post by **sgs4u** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 8:57 am

I played your ver 2 while my kids were hovering around playing volleyballoon. They both stopped to say gee, Dad that song is very sad. I told them what the song was about and we had a pretty good talk about sons going off to war, and not coming back. My boys are 8 & 5. My father was also a career military guy. So even if you decide not to submit ver 2, I thought I'd let you know that it had a positive influence on my family's life. I am not a fan of your first version, because I know there will be some fantastic singers who play a better production game by following exactly those traditional rules. And truthfully, your first version didn't move me. Go with your heart, and muse.

liamkelly · Post by **liamkelly** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 10:20 am

HmmmmWhat an interesting thread. As an expatriate Irish family this song was one of our staples. I have intense memories of St Patrick's Days with my father singing this to me for the first twenty five years of my life and me singing it to him for maybe ten years after that. The child became father to the man. I'm hopelessly sentimental about this song . And not at all objective For me, I got much more of the 'son going to war', 'irish emigration', ' love lost' vibe from the second version than the first. Which is surprising for me. I was a bit sceptical (before I listened) when I read that you had done a U2/Snow Patrol take on this. Especially because my ears have become accustomed to quite excellent output from you and I wondered what you had done!!!But I really felt the ache in V2. And I didn't in V1.I think Steve really nailed it - go with your heart. I think the 'keep it as close to a trad arrangement as possible' may trip you up but Mazz also nailed it - your version'll be a great addition to your catalogue.Best regards, amigoLiam

hummingbird · Post by **hummingbird** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 10:50 am

Quote:HmmmmWhat an interesting thread. As an expatriate Irish family this song was one of our staples. I have intense memories of St Patrick's Days with my father singing this to me for the first twenty five years of my life and me singing it to him for maybe ten years after that. The child became father to the man. I'm hopelessly sentimental about this song . And not at all objective For me, I got much more of the 'son going to war', 'irish emigration', ' love lost' vibe from the second version than the first. Which is surprising for me. I was a bit sceptical (before I listened) when I read that you had done a U2/Snow Patrol take on this. Especially because my ears have become accustomed to quite excellent output from you and I wondered what you had done!!!But I really felt the ache in V2. And I didn't in V1.I think Steve really nailed it - go with your heart. I think the 'keep it as close to a trad arrangement as possible' may trip you up but Mazz also nailed it - your version'll be a great addition to your catalogue.Best regards, amigoLiamSteve, I too felt that v2 grabbed me. I find when I'm recording often the later part of the song feels & sounds better - I think has something to do with warming into it... so sometimes I'll record a take and then go right back and record the beginning again, hoping to keep some of the authenticness I found towards the end of the song. Just an idea.

jewelwing · Post by **jewelwing** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 10:51 am

I play in a Celtic band; we often get requests for Danny Boy (the audience wants to sing along), and I admit to being a little Danny Boyed out. Don't get me wrong - it's a beautiful song. And I might do a instrumental version on Whistle Flute for this listing. But I really appreciate the fresh approach of version 2. I especially liked it from 1:45 on, when the vocal got more stylistic and dynamic. Songwriter, because of what the listing asked for, I feel like maybe your strategy was to start the early part with something more traditional, and then transition to the less traditional. Setting the listing aside for a moment, I hear the foundation for a more unique pop version all the way through, with a more stylistic singer/songwriter vocal rendition from the start (notes held longer and dying away, more ornamentation, maybe more growl-ly, etc.)...maybe a little delay on some parts to make them more ethereal...You've come this far; it might be worth producing out your different version, whether or not you submit it for this listing (although it wouldn't hurt to submit it) - because somewhere, sometime, someone's going to need a different version of Danny Boy. And you'll have it all ready.

michael11 · Post by **michael11** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 1:29 pm

Song,I should say I like V2 but I don't like you leaving the melody but that's just me.I think DB is regarded as the perfect melody so I wouldn't mess with it. something I think I mentioned before sometime ago is You Raise Me Up,the writers acknowledged that they stole some of The Londonderry Air so the tune has some mileage even now.Your V2 reminds me of The Minstrel Boy (Blackhawk Down) so if that's your approach I can see what your getting at.Bottom line is,whatever you do is gonna be excellent so I would send both versions in and anymore you can come up with between now and then.