Healing Piano for Late Autumn: Danny Boy
Please listen to this while you read ↓
Introduction
I volunteer as a pianist at a hospital lobby. Every month, I select music that fits the season and perform for free so that patients can relax in the lobby. This has become my life's work for several years now.
The theme for November is "Autumn Travels." The deeper the autumn season, the more I want to go on a journey. And I want to feel the late autumn deeply while traveling. I have put together a setlist with that mood in mind.
This time, I would like to introduce "Danny Boy," a folk song that evokes the feeling of late autumn in Ireland.
Piano music to listen to deeply in late autumn: Danny Boy (Irish Folk Song)
The original title is "Londonderry Air," a folk song collected in County Derry, Northern Ireland. There are various theories about the origin of the song, but regardless, its beautiful melody has captivated not only the Irish people but people all over the world. This song, which is as popular as a national anthem, was given lyrics during World War I that express a parent's feelings—praying for the safety of their child going off to war and wishing for their return (it can also be interpreted simply as a song of parting between a man and a woman). Although there are no lyrics in the piano version, I chose this more common title for the setlist. By the way, the lyrics go something like this.
O Danny boy, the pipes,
the pipes are calling
From glen to glen
and down the mountainside
The summer's gone
and all the roses falling
'Tis you, 'tis you
must go and I must bide.
Oh, my Danny,
the bagpipes are calling,
From glen to glen,
as if running down the mountainside.
Summer has passed,
and all the roses are withering away,
You, you
must go, and I must wait.
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
O Danny boy, O Danny boy,
I love you so.
Come back when summer is in the meadow,
or even when the valley is quiet
and dyed white with snow.
In the sunshine or in the shadows,
I will be here.
Oh, my Danny,
I love you from the bottom of my heart.
But if ye come
and all the flowers are dying
If 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.
As all the flowers are dying,
if you return,
and if I, perhaps,
have already passed away,
You will find
the place where I sleep,
kneel down,
and say a farewell prayer for me.
And I shall hear,
though soft, your tread above me
And all my grave
shall warmer, sweeter be
For you will bend
and tell me that you love me
And I will sleep in peace
until you come to me.
I can hear you
walking softly and gently above me
My grave will be warmer
enveloped in sweet air
You will kneel
and say that you love me
I will continue to sleep peacefully
until the moment you return
Lyrics: Frederic Edward Weatherly (1848–1929)
It was autumn when my son departed. The nostalgic melody evokes the feeling of late autumn.
Actually, it seems this song was originally in 3/4 time. It is said that it became 4/4 time as it was passed down through generations orally, due to the unique inflections of traditional music. (Source: Wikipedia) I thought this was quite an interesting story.
For those of you not traveling this autumn (myself included), please feel the deepening of autumn beyond the sky.
Reference: November Setlist "Autumn Travels" Full Performance Details
I will list the arrangers out of respect. (I may deviate from the sheet music to match the atmosphere of the venue...)
Chiisana Tabi ~Hikari to Kaze no Shiki~ (Composed by Yuji Ohno, Arranged by Yoshiko Ishikawa)
Sato no Aki (Composed by Minoru Kainuma, Arranged by Mayuko Fukami)
Momiji (Composed by Teiichi Okano, Arranged by Chihiro Toromi)
Indian Summer (Composed by Wong Wing Tsan)
intermezzo (Composed by Ryuichi Sakamoto, Transcribed by Kayoko Kishimoto)
Adagio (Piano Sonata Pathétique, 2nd Movement) (Composed by Beethoven)
Danny Boy (Irish Folk Song, Arranged by Nikki Iles)
Autumn Leaves (Composed by Joseph Kosma, Arranged with reference to performances by Massimo Farao and Alfonso Gugliucci)
Yesterday (Composed by The Beatles, Transcribed by ear from David Escher's performance)
Recommended songs for late autumn can also be found here ↓
Healing Piano for Late Autumn: Indian Summer | Kaze Hikaru
Healing Piano at the End of Late Autumn: Autumn Leaves & In Praise of Edith Piaf | Kaze Hikaru
Piano Volunteer Days: Rewarding Myself on the First Day (A Story About Motivation) | Kaze Hikaru