Danny Boy

Title: Danny Boy

Performers: Switchback (vocalist - Martin McCormack)

Culture: Danny Boy was written by an English lawyer, Frederic Edward Weatherly, but has since morphed into an Irish folk tune.

Instrumentation: Solo voice and acoustic guitar.

I decided to use this song for this week's reading because Campbell writes about "Music in Context".  This is one of the most-sung songs, especially in the Irish band repertoire.  Many people enjoy this song without really thinking about what it means.  Although there is still much speculation as to the true meaning (no one really seems to know for sure), the most agreed upon meaning is a father singing this song to his son as he goes off to war.  It is in fact a very melancholy song.  When really studying the lyrics and the sadness they bring about, it truly changes the mood in which it is performed.  If teaching this song to a choir, or just a single student, it is imperative to really focus on the lyrics and what they mean.