DERRY AIR / DANNY BOY
Derry Air
In Derry vale, beside the singing river,
so oft I strayed, ah, many years ago,
and culled at morn the golden daffodillies
that came with spring to set the world aglow.
Oh, Derry vale, my thoughts are ever turning
to your broad stream and fairycircled lea,
for your green isles my exiled heart is yearning,
so far away across the sea.
In Derry vale, amid the Foyle’s dark waters,
the salmon leap above the surging weir,
the seabirds call – I still can hear them calling
in night’s long dreams of those so dear.
Oh, tarrying years, fly faster, ever faster,
I long to see the vale belov’d so well,
I long to know that I am not forgotten,
and there at home in peace to dwell.
Oh Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling
From glen to glen, and down the mountain side
The summer’s gone, and all the flowers are dying
‘Tis you, ’tis you must go and I must bide.
But come ye back when summer’s in the meadow
Or when the valley’s hushed and white with snow
‘Tis I’ll be here in sunshine or in shadow
Oh Danny boy, oh Danny boy, I love you so.
And if you come, when all the flowers are dying
And I am dead, as dead I well may be
You’ll come and find the place where I am lying
And kneel and say an “Ave” there for me.
And I shall hear, tho’ soft you tread above me
And all my dreams will warm and sweeter be
If you’ll not fail to tell me that you love me
I’ll simply sleep in peace until you come to me.