Danny Boy is a ballad written by English songwriter Frederic Weatherly in 1913, and set to the traditional Irish melody of Londonderry Air. Various interpretations of the lyric exist, some suggest the song to be a message from a parent to son going off to a war, or an uprising, or leaving as part of the Irish diaspora.
The Londonderry Air originated in County Londonderry, Ireland. It is popular among the American Irish diaspora, and is well known throughout the world. The tune is played as the victory sporting anthem of Northen Ireland at the Commonwealth Games. Beside Danny Boy, there are many other lyrics set to the air melody.