YouTube - Danny Boy Ireland

YouTube - Danny Boy Ireland

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Today is the day we remember the Irishmen St. Patrick. Everybody is to sport some type of green upon themselves whether it be their apparel or a button that's green. That's how the tradition goes in America. In remembrance of this holiday, I thought I would share with you the background by what's considered the Irish national anthem, "Danny Boy".

The lyrics to "Danny Boy" were written by English lawyer and lyricist Frederick Weatherly in 1910. Although they were originally written for a different tune, Weatherly modified them to fit Londonderry Air in 1913, when his sister sent him a copy. Ernestine Schumann-Heink made the first recording in 1915. Weatherly gave the song to a vocalist, Elsie Griffin, who in turn made it one of the most popular songs in the new century. "Danny Boy" was originally said to be intended as a message from a woman to a man. Weatherly also provided the alternative "Eily dear" for male singers in his 1918 authorized lyrics. However, the song is sun by men as much or more than women. The song has interpreted by some listeners as a message from a parent to a son going off to war or leaving as part of the Irish diaspora. It is widely considered a national anthem. It is considered a signature song to the Irish and Irish Canadians.

Around the year 1970 the late famous gospel songwriter Dottie Rambo wrote words to a song entitled, "He Looked Beyond My Fault and Saw My Need." Former Louisiana governor Jimmie Davis has asked her to write a song and set it to the Irish tune of "Danny Boy." She made that a reality and "He Looked Beyond My Fault and Saw My Need" became one of the most popular gospel songs.