Thank you, St. Patrick: "NYC pub owner bans `Danny Boy' "

[Lobster Martini]

(LM: Thank you, St. Patrick...thank you...please don't ever let me hear that song again...)

NYC pub owner bans `Danny Boy' in March

It's depressing, it's not usually sung in Ireland for St. Patrick's Day, and its lyrics were written by an Englishman who never set foot on Irish soil.

Those are only some of the reasons why a Manhattan pub owner is banning the song "Danny Boy" for the entire month of March.

"It's overplayed, it's been ranked among the 25 most depressing songs of all time and it's more appropriate for a funeral than for a St. Patrick's Day celebration," said Shaun Clancy, who owns Foley's Pub and Restaurant, across the street from the Empire State Building.

The 38-year-old Clancy, who started bartending when he was 12 at his father's pub in County Cavan, Ireland, promised a free Guinness to patrons who sing any other traditional Irish song at the pub's pre-St. Patrick's Day karaoke party on Tuesday.

The lyrics for "Danny Boy," published in 1913, were written by English lawyer Frederick Edward Weatherly, who never even visited Ireland, according to Malachy McCourt, author of the book "Danny Boy: The Legend of the Beloved Irish Ballad."

<snip>

The song is "all right, but I get fed up with hearing it — it's like the elections," Martin Gaffney, 73, said in a thick Irish brogue. (LM: Bold face is mine. Just liked the quote.)

<snip>

(link: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080306/ap_on_fe_st/odd_danny_boy_banned&printer=1)

[no_hypocrisy]

1. I remember the matriarch of the Ryan clan, Maeve, singing "Danny Boy" at the

bar on St. Patrick's Day on "Ryan's Hope" and it was beautiful. Some songs defy becoming weary and boring. This is one of them.

Try this John McCormack to hear a real heartfelt "Danny Boy".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0T8-lywCcQQ

[Jack Rabbit]

7. My favorite version of the song is . . .

. . . my Dad singing to me when I had colic. Yes, I remember.

[MedleyMisty]

2. I went and looked up the lyrics

If you think that's one of the most depressing songs ever, I've got a huge list of songs you should never listen to because you'd probably kill yourself.

[TahitiNut]

3. Since he put a pint o' Guinness where his mouth is, I'll drink to that.

:toast: :beer:

[Occulus]

4. "among the 25 most depressing songs of all time"

Is "The Minstrel Boy" on that list?

"The minstrel boy to the war is gone,
In the ranks of death you'll find him;
His father's sword he hath girded on,
And his wild harp slung behind him;
"Land of Song!" cried the warrior bard,
"Tho' all the world betrays thee,
One sword, at least, thy right shall guard,
One faithful harp shall praise thee!"

The Minstrel fell! But the foeman's chain
Could not bring that proud soul under;
The harp he lov'd ne'er spoke again,
For he tore its chords asunder;
And said "No chains shall sully thee,
Thou soul of love and brav'ry!
Thy songs were made for the pure and free
They shall never sound in slavery!"

During the American Civil War, a third verse was added.

"The minstrel boy will return one day,
When we hear the news, we will cheer it.
The minstrel boy will return we pray,
Torn in body, perhaps, but not in spirit.
Then may he play his harp in peace,
In a world such as Heaven intended,
For every quarrel of Man must cease,
And every battle shall be ended."

Wiki

If anyone has a link to an open copy of a group singing this (I once heard a men's choir sing it and it just about tore my heart apart), please post ~ TIA

[Beregond2]

5. DB

Not to mention, the music isn't original. It was originally "Londonderry Air," which starts something like: "Oh, if I were the tender apple blossom..."

[mcscajun]

6. Bless you, Shaun Clancy!

He's right on all counts. It's a celebration, not a wake. :D

[InkAddict]

8. Oh, Kittygirl, the mice, the mice are calling

from bin to bin and all across the floor.
Oh, Kittygirl, you need to stop me-owing.
Just lick you paws and say you'll catch some more.

To the tune of Oh Danny Boy.

[hellbound-liberal]

9. My favorite version of this song is by Diana Krall. I get chills every tiem I hear it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J072ki2ZO6E