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Author Topic: Interpretation of "The Soft Goodbye"  (Read 21877 times)
FireGuyFrank
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« Reply #15 on: November 09, 2007, 11:14AM »

Hi Maggie,

I'm curious to know if you have an idea of where I can get the music.

Thanks
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Maggie
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« Reply #16 on: November 09, 2007, 11:52AM »

Beautiful post and interpretation a always Maggie.

This is going off topic ..but that has never stopped me before. Tongue

I always thought Danny Boy was about a son going off to war, not just emigrating  Am I totally wrong??

The only sure thing is.....nobody's sure.

I have heard young Danny was emigrating, and I've heard he was going off to war.
I also heard that the composer intended it as a love song from a woman to a man, but the words are more fitting for a parent or grandparent.
 
Since Wars and uprisings were never far from the surface in Ireland, both may be true.

The words were written in 1910 by an English Lawyer who never went to Ireland.
The original music was replaced in 1912 by the Air from County Derry.

I prefer that he was emigrating, because the pipes could have been his farewell from the locals.
As I said before, they all promised to return one day, to make the parting easier.
His father says he will probably be dead by the time his son returns.....in which case he wants him to visit his grave:

"You'll come and find the place where I am lying,
and kneel and say an Ave there for me."

An "Ave" is the Ave Maria - Hail Mary - which is the prayer of the Rosary.
It is also, of course, beautifully sung by Chloe.

« Last Edit: November 09, 2007, 12:16PM by Maggie » Logged
Maggie
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« Reply #17 on: November 09, 2007, 12:13PM »

Hi Maggie,
I'm curious to know if you have an idea of where I can get the music.

Piano, then fiddle:



M: 4/4
L: 1/8
R: reel
K: Gmaj
F GA | "G"B3A "G7"Be dB | "C"AGE2zG"Cm" Bc | "Bm"d3e "Em" dB GB | "A7"A4z "D7"F GA |
"G"B3A "G7"Be dB | "C"AGE2zF "Cm"GA | "Bm"B3"Em"c "A7"BA "D7"GA | "G"G4z d "D7"ef |
"G"g3f "C"fe de | "Bm"dB"Em"G2z"Am"d "B7"ef | "Em"g3f "C"fe "Bm"dB | "A7"A4z "D7"d dd |
"G7"b3a "C"ag eg | "Bm"dB"Em"G2z"Cm"F GA | "Bm"Be "Em"dB "A7"AG "D7"EF | "G Cm G"G4z |]
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Maggie
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« Reply #18 on: November 09, 2007, 12:26PM »

By the way, Danny Boy is not so popular in Ireland, being mocked as pseudo-Irish.
Several musicians I know will not sing or play it, if they wish to be taken seriously.
That's why you may have seen some criticism of CW in the Irish media for including it in their repertoire, but they sing it so beautifully who cares?

It is often known as "The Londonderry Air" but there again it is controversial.
The name of Derry was changed into "Londonderry" to emphasize ties with Britain.
Therefore Republicans would not use that name, calling it instead the Air from County Derry.




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poohbear
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« Reply #19 on: November 10, 2007, 07:15AM »

Thank you for replying.  It is sad politics even get in the way of beautiful music.
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ferngully
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« Reply #20 on: November 16, 2007, 05:54AM »

is 'send me a song' is also on the same subject as 'the soft goodbye'?
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The Leprechaun
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« Reply #21 on: December 11, 2012, 04:55PM »

You know, I've always thought of this song as a farewell or quite possibly, a lament song. In fact, I even want it done at my funeral. But it could have that other meaning as well.
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Celtic Woman: Gotta love them.

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The wonderful Susan.

Thanks whoever for the picture.
Celtic Chan
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« Reply #22 on: December 11, 2012, 05:39PM »

I think it's a great funeral song whether it's a farewell song or what ever kind of song it is. It just has that feeling to it, you know?
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Emer Dreamer
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« Reply #23 on: December 11, 2012, 08:15PM »

I think it's a great funeral song whether it's a farewell song or what ever kind of song it is. It just has that feeling to it, you know?
I hadn't thought about it that way.  But now that you mention it....... Cool 
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