A Very Special Day

[oakenguy]

So coming up very shortly in Somerville there's going to be this huge musical performance that'll involve traffic being diverted for miles around and thousands of people jamming the streets.

No no, besides U2. This Sunday the Ras na hEireann, the annual St. Patrick's Day roadrace, is going to take place. But before it happens, the organizer is going to ask all 4000+ people there to honor the memory of his recently-departed uncle by singing 'Danny Boy'.

4000 people.

I've taken a very small informal poll here at work, and so far no one (including my Irish boss) can remember more than the first line and half of the second one. Not that this will stop anyone on Sunday. Oh no no, I don't think this will slow anyone down at all.

Comments

[mr-teem.livejournal.com]

It could beat out the Leprechaun Brothers...

[smacaski.livejournal.com]

I always thought the rest of "Danny Boy" was just incoherent rambling anyway. I mean, we're talking about the Irish.

[hazeleyedfae.livejournal.com]

Truth.

[magdellena.livejournal.com]

I guess I'm a weirdo for knowing the entire song...or it could be that I have a Mum from Limerick... yeah, could be the whole Irish Mum thing... not "of Irish decent", Irish, sounds like she just stepped off the boat yesterday. In fact, truth be told I think her accent gets thicker as a protest for every day she's living in the States.

[kissoflife.livejournal.com]

You very funny- firs' time? *hic*

Nice one. I also know the whole tune from chamber singing performing of it. It is very pretty with its seasonal and mountain country references; a wee bit o' Irish "Scarborough Faire." *g*

[plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com]

I can remember the first 2 lines, and then isolated snippets throughout, that's all. But I could probably hum the entire melody correctly.

It's not an easy song to sing, though. It's rather rangy and has a couple of high notes. 4000 people trying to hit them would be interesting, especially if some of them are drunk.

[hermitgeecko.livejournal.com]

Without looking it up, I have:

Oh, Danny Boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling
From hill to hill, and down the mountainside.
Something something something something something
Tis you must go, and me that must abide.

[heavenscalyx.livejournal.com]

Oh, hey, I have "From glen to glen..." instead of "From hill to hill..."

It would probably all come back to me fairly quickly if I weren't listening to Katamari Damacy music right now.

[lixie.livejournal.com]

I wish I could've made it this year!

[oakenguy.livejournal.com]

I wish so too! We've got to hang out more.

[sistahraven.livejournal.com]

Haha. NICE.

I know the first line, and then many other lines... I just can't always string them together.

Being Boston, though, I'm sure they'll hand out lyric sheets. you know, like a hundred of them, but enough to lead the general rabble in song.

[olivetree.livejournal.com]

it's going to be EPIC.

[oakenguy.livejournal.com]

I KNOW! I'm thinking of breaking out the green hair dye.

[that.livejournal.com]

Here's what I think I remember:

O Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling
From glen to glen and down the mountainside
The something's here and all the leaves are falling
It's you must go, must go, and I must bide

But come ye back
When summer's in the meadow
And something or other with dew
It's I'll be here in sunshine or in shadow
O Danny boy, O Danny boy, I love you so

Let's see how close I am... Pretty close. I've never heard anyone sing past those last two verses. Andy Williams never does, anyway.

[oakenguy.livejournal.com]

Hoo boy, I know exactly what you're talking about with that Andy Williams reference. And that scares me a little.

[redfishie.livejournal.com]

This is what always comes into my head with the mention of Danny Boy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCbuRA_D3KU

[roadnotes.livejournal.com]

They sing all the verses in the piano bars where I hang out, so I actually have it all memorized.

now I'm scared.