Donegal Danny - Barleycorn: Song Lyrics, Music Videos & Concerts

Donegal Danny

700Celtic1975

Song Details

Donegal Danny was released on January 1, 1975 by Dolphin as a part of the album For Folk Sake

AlbumFor Folk Sake

January 1, 1975

LabelDolphin

LanguageEnglish

BPM

Melodicness

Acousticness

Valence

Danceability

Energy

OVERVIEW

LYRICS

Lyrics

I remember the night that he came in

From the wintry cold and damp

A giant of a man in an oilskin coat

And a bundle that told he was a tramp

He stood at the bar and he pulled a pint

Then turned and gazed at the fire

On a night like this to be safe and dry

Is my one and only desire

So here's to those who are dead and gone

The friends that I loved dear

And here's to you then I'll bid you adieu

Say Donegal Danny's been here, me boys

Donegal Danny's been here

Then in a voice that was hushed and low

He said, "Listen and I'll tell you a tale

How a man of the sea became a man of the road

And vowed he never more would sail

I've fished out of Howth and Killybegs

Hardglass and Baltimore

But the cruel sea has beaten me

I'll end my days on the shore"

So here's to those who are dead and gone

The friends that I loved dear

And here's to you then I'll bid you adieu

Say Donegal Danny's been here, me boys

Donegal Danny's been here

One fateful night in the wind and rain

We set sail from Killybegs town

There was five of us from sweet Donegal

And one from County Down

We were fishermen who worked the sea

And never counted the cost

I never thought ere that night was done

That my five friends would all be lost

So here's to those who are dead and gone

The friends that I loved dear

And here's to you then I'll bid you adieu

Say Donegal Danny's been here, me boys

Donegal Danny's been here

Then the sea it broke and it drove the boat

To the rocks about ten miles from shore

As we fought the tide we hoped inside

To see our homes once more

Then we struck a rock and holed the bow

And all of us knew that she'd go down

So we jumped right into the icy sea

And prayed to God we wouldn't drown

But the raging sea was rising still

As we struck out for the land

And she fought with all her cruelty

To claim that gallant band

By St. John's Point in the early morn

I dragged myself on the shore

And I cursed the sea for what she had done

And vowed I'd sail her never more

So here's to those who are dead and gone

The friends that I loved dear

And here's to you then I'll bid you adieu

Say Donegal Danny's been here, me boys

Donegal Danny's been here

Ever since that night I've been on the road

Travelling and trying to forget

That awful night I lost all my friends

I see their faces yet

And often at night when the sea is high

And the rain is tearing at my skin

I hear the cries of drowning men

Floating over on the wind

So here's to those who are dead and gone

The friends that I loved dear

And here's to you then I'll bid you adieu

Say Donegal Danny's been here, me boys

Donegal Danny's been here

Written by: Coulter, Martin

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