Danny Boy
What is Danny a nickname for?
What is Dan or Daniel?
English lawyer Frederic Weatherly originally wrote the words to “Danny Boy” in 1910 to a different tune, but when his Irish sister-in-law introduced him to “Londonderry Air,” in 1913, Weatherly adjusted the words to better match the tempo and rhythm of that Irish song. “Danny Boy” was one of the most popular songs of the time.
“When Irish Eyes Are _________”
What are Smiling?
This popular song was written by Fred Fisher with lyrics by Alfred Bryan in 1913 and was included in the Ziegfeld Follies musical that same year. Inspiration for the song came from a popular Broadway play Peg o’ My Heart, which debuted in December 1912. The play was written by J. Hartley Manners.
Peg is a nickname for what name?
What is Margaret?
This song was written in 1913 by James Royce Shannon for the musical Shameen Dhu (“Blackhaired Jimmy” in Gaelic). The first recording of the song was performed by Chauncey Olcott in 1913 and reached No. 1 that year. His version of the song debuted before the play did.
True or false? Chauncey Olcott also recorded “My Wild Irish Rose” and other Irish songs.
TRUE
The origins of this song remain unclear; however, the earliest version of the song we know today was written in 1883 by an unknown author. There is another version dated 1884 that attributes the song to Scotsman James Yorkston. Attempts to prove that Miss Malone was an actual person were unsuccessful.
True or false? The song “Molly Malone” is also known as “Cockles and Mussels.”
TRUE
What instrument is typically used to play “Danny Boy” at funerals: guitar or bagpipes?
What are Bagpipes?
Because of its slow tempo, “Danny Boy” is often played at funerals. It was played at the funerals of John F. Kennedy, Elvis Presley, Princess Diana, and Senator John McCain
Olcott wrote “My Wild Irish Rose” as part of his musical A Romance of Athlone. Olcott wrote entire scores for several Irish musicals and collaborated on many others between 1894 and 1920.
True or false? A Romance of Athlone holds the record for the longest-running Broadway show.
False.
Phantom of the Opera is the longest-running Broadway show in history.
Several artists had success with this song, including the Harmonicats in 1947. Their version of the song creatively used artificial reverberation for the first time in a pop recording. The Harmonicats’ version made it to No. 1 on the Billboard charts that year.
What instrument used by the Harmonicats is also part of the group’s name: a saxophone or a harmonica?
What is Harmonica?
The next time the song came into the limelight was in 1944 when Bing Crosby sang it in a famous film. Crosby plays Father Chuck O’Malley in the movie.
Finish the movie title: Going My "___?"
What is Way?
What are cockles similar to: roosters or clams?
Clams?
The main difference between cockles and clams is cockles are found only in salt water while clams can be found in either salt water or fresh water.
According to the lyrics of “Danny Boy,” what are calling?
The pipes, which is a reference to bagpipes.
A movie was made about the life of Chauncey Olcott in 1947. The film was aptly titled “My Wild Irish Rose.” The film was nominated for an Academy Award but did not win.
What is another name for an Academy Award: the Grammy or the Oscar?
What is the Oscar?
What is another term for a harmonica: squeeze box or mouth organ?
What is the Mouth Organ?
A squeeze box is an accordion.
What is the name of the 1945 sequel to Going My Way: Holiday Inn or What is the name of the 1945 sequel to Going My Way: Holiday Inn or The Bells of St. Mary’s?
The Bells of St. Mary’s?
According to the lyrics, in what “fair city” can Molly be found: Cork or Dublin?
Dublin?
What season of the year is mentioned in the song?
According to the lyrics of “My Wild Irish Rose,” what is “the sweetest flower that grows”?
What is My Wild Irish Rose?
According to the lyrics of “Peg o’ My Heart,” how does the singer describe Peg’s laughter?
As lilting, which means “rhythmic”?
What town in Ireland is mentioned in the song “An Irish Lullaby”: Dublin or Killarney?
Killarney?
What country is Dublin the capital of: France or Ireland?
Ireland?
A line in the song “Danny Boy” goes, “From glen to glen, and down the mountain side.”
What is a glen: a river or a valley?
What is a valley?
Where might you search for another wild Irish rose?
Where is Everywhere?
Where does the singer want Peg to make her home?
In his heart?
What family member is mentioned in the song: brother or mother?
Mother?
The city of Dublin adopted the song as its unofficial anthem and commissioned a bronze statue of Molly Malone from sculptor Jeanne Rynhart to celebrate Dublin’s first millennium in 1988.
According to the lyrics, what is Miss Malone’s occupation: a milkmaid or a fishmonger?
A fishmonger?
A fishmonger is a person who sells fish.