Oh Danny Boy Third Verse

Oh Danny Boy has been a favorite song of mine ever since my first date with my wife (before we were married).  I heard it performed by world renowned tenor (famous for performances with the Metropolitan Opera), Stanford Olsen, at President of the LDS Church (at the time) Gordon B. Hinckley's 90th birthday celebration.

http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/38069/An-Evening-of-Celebration.html

I remember listening to the beautiful music, reflecting on the lyrics of the song, and considering the emotions President Hinckley must have as he had not too long previously experienced the passing of his wife, Marjorie.  I was touched.  I have reflected on that moment and that date many times.

Just today, I opened a youtube video of a performance of the same song by BYU's Vocal Point.  It's an impressive a'cappella rendition of the song.  I was quite surprised to hear a THIRD verse to the song.  I have only ever heard TWO.

The third verse brought tears to my eyes--actually I wept--as I considered the loss my own parents have recently experienced at the passing of their son (my brother), Wade.  (Below is a link to his obituary)

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/postregister/obituary.aspx?pid=167941274

Here is the third verse:

Oh danny boy the stream flows cool and slowly

And pipes still call and echo cross the glen

Your broken mother sighs and feels so lonely

For you have not returned to smile again

So if you’ve died and crossed the stream before us

We pray that angels met you on the shore

And you’ll look down and gently you’ll implore us

To live so we may see your smiling face once more.

I did a search, and didn't find this verse written anywhere, so I transcribed what I heard BYU's Vocal Point sing.  I believe this verse seems to contain 'the rest of the story' of that song.  And to my dear mother and father who I know still long for him to 'return and smile again' (as do we all, who knew him well), I hope you know you are still in my prayers daily--as I am sure you must be in Wade's as well, as he implores we live 'so we may see his smiling face once more'.

Here is the link to the BYU Vocal Point version:

http://youtu.be/YfRielL3Q94

Here are the complete lyrics to the song:

Oh Danny Boy

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 flow'rs are dying


'Tis you, 'tis you must go and I must bide.

But come ye back when summer's in the meadow


Or when the valley's hushed and white with snow


'Tis I'll be here in sunshine or in shadow


Oh, Danny boy, oh, Danny boy, I love you so.

 ===========

And if you come, and all the flowers are dying


If I am dead, as dead I well may be


I pray you'll find the place where I am lying


And kneel and say an "Ave" there for me.

And I shall hear, though soft you tread above me


And all my grave will warm and sweeter be


And then you'll kneel and whisper that you love me


And I shall sleep in peace until you come to me.

 ============

Oh danny boy the stream flows cool and slowly

And pipes still call and echo cross the glen

Your broken mother sighs and feels so lonely

For you have not returned to smile again

So if you’ve died and crossed the stream before us

We pray that angels met you on the shore

And you’ll look down and gently you’ll implore us

To live so we may see your smiling face once more.