For just about everyone, there are a few songs that can take you back to childhood in an instant.
For me, one of those songs is the traditional Irish folk song “Danny Boy.” Growing up north of Boston in a community with proud Irish roots, this plaintive melody is as familiar to me as the old-fashioned hymns I grew up with, like “Ride On, King Jesus.”
Also known as the “Londonderry Air,” for the melody that it’s set to, the words were actually written by an Englishman in the early 20th century. These days, it’s considered the unofficial anthem of Irish citizens and descendants everywhere.
As a result, it’s been covered dozens of times by different musicians looking to put their own twist on a classic and take a spot in history. It’s like when the British Invasion band the Animals sang the old English folk song, “House of the Rising Sun,” and made it their own.
But for “Danny Boy,” the most iconic version of the song isn’t a rock-and-roll classic, but a very traditional interpretation of the melody performed by the famous musical ensemble Celtic Woman.
An all-Irish, all-female performance group, Celtic Woman is known for celebrating the beautiful music of Ireland, and their rendition of “Danny Boy” is no exception! Listen to their beautiful arrangement in the video below.
And if you loved hearing this folk classic brought to life by the lilting voices of Celtic Woman, please SHARE on Facebook!
