This inspiring ‘Danny Boy’ performance from the United States Navy Band will swell your heart with emotion.
Honoring members of the military has been a tradition in America for a very long time. We remember history through school lessons, museums, memorials. Another way to honor those who have served the country is through music. Such was the case with an inspiring ‘Danny Boy’ performance from the United States Navy Band.
This song pays tribute to many Americans, including 5 Irish-American brothers, the Sullivans, who joined the Navy after the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941. As many people know, this was the start to America’s involvement in World War II. The brothers were George, Francis, Joseph, Albert, and Madison.
The Sullivans began duty on the military ship
USS Juneau on February 14 of 1942. About nine months later during the Battle of Guadalcanal, they along with their crew died. Their sacrifice was not in vain as the battle was ultimately a victory for America against Japan.
Lyrics to the ballad were written by English lawyer
Frederick Edward Weatherly in 1913. The song did not originate as an ode to fallen soldiers, but rather was inspired by another Irish tune, ‘Londonderry Air’. Frederick’s sister-in-law, Margaret Weatherly, shared the song with him.
Since that time, Frederick’s song has become popular, especially among members of Irish origins. The melancholy lyrics of the song make it appropriate for funerals and definitely for honoring fallen soldiers.
Oh, Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling
From glen to glen, and down the mountain side.
The summer's gone, and all the roses falling,
It's you, it's you must go and I must bide
The lyrics speak to losing a loved one and the acceptance of the sad separation. Those with spouses or other loved ones who were or are a part of the military will be touched by this song.
There’s a lack of control, and much uncertainty to be experienced when going into war. No one knows their fate except for God, and that lack of knowing can be very difficult to accept, for those fighting and those at home.
Though we are not currently in a time of war, death has been ever present in the face of the coronavirus.
According to
Worldometers, over 1 million people have died globally from the dreaded disease. The loss of any life is worthy of grief and mourning. However, there is hope. Almost 29 million people have recovered.
And what we know as Christians, is that there is a life available for us after death too. We can take heart that God is with us in this life and the next.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Ephesians 2:8-9