The Book Irish Ballads

Download or read book Danny Boy written by Malachy McCourt and published by Running Press Adult. This book was released on 2014-01-28 with total page 71 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Bestselling Irish-American author Malachy McCourt takes a fascinating historical look at the traditional folk song, Danny Boy, discovering its origin, lyricist, and the moving heritage that has grown around it. Everyone can hum this haunting Irish ballad that inevitably brings a tear to the eye. The most requested Irish song, it has been recorded by a variety of performers ranging from Elvis Presley, Bing Crosby, and Kate Smith to the Pogues. The complete story of this moving tune has been shrouded in mystery until now. Where did "Danny Boy" originate, who actually wrote the lyrics, and is it even Irish? Acclaimed novelist, actor, memoirist, screenwriter, playwright, and raconteur, Malachy McCourt, turns his Irish eye to the song's complex history and myths in an eloquent ode to this classic. He traces the evolution of the music, which is one of more than 100 songs composed to the very same tune, including the familiar "Londonderry Air," and explores the enduring mystique of "Danny Boy" in an unforgettable tribute that brilliantly weaves history with folklore.