Re: [Harp-L] Danny Boy

["Steve Shaw" <moorcot@xxxxxxx>]

> RE; Danny Boy (AKA Londonderry Air, Derry Air and Old Irish Air:)
>
> The music is credited to Rory Dall O'Cathain who was chief harpist to Hugh 
> O'Neill, the last of the great Gaelic Chieftains (d. 1616.) Incidentally 
> the "London" add on to "Derry" is relatively recent by Irish standards, 
> occurring around 1610, but "Derry" itself is only the Anglicized version of 
> the earlier Gaelic name of the town, "Doire Colmcille."  Translated to 
> English, "Doire Colmcille" means "The Oak Wood Of Colmcille."  Therefore, 
> since the Gaelic word for 'air' is 'fonn,' perhaps the most accurate name 
> for this piece might be "Fonn Doire Colmcille" (pronounced 'fun deera 
> collumkill.')
>
> -Tom Ball
> In Santa Babs but sipping on a Jameson's

A lot of Irish musicians, disliking the "orange" connotations of the word 
"Londonderry," refer to the tune as the Derry Air.  I needn't even mention 
the unfortunate associations this name can invoke.  Probably why it's best 
to stick to "Danny Boy." ;-)  In the Irish sessions I've been to the tune is 
usually played in G (mind you, most major key tunes in Irish are in D or G). 
  It's commonly played in a non-rhythmic manner, like a lot of Irish slow 
airs.  This can bring forth some pretty dire guitar accompaniments unless 
the conspirators have worked out in advance how they're going to play it.

Steve

http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/trad_irish_harmonica
HEAR my CD clips: http://www.gjk2.com/steveshaw/cd.htm
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