Life with Lucy: Oh Danny Boy

Wonderful St. Patrick’s Day. Happy day to you all! This day brings lots of sweet memories of my Mom. It may have been one of her top holidays to celebrate. She always seemed to identify most with her Irish side. Every year, as many of her friends can attest to, she had her annual St. Patrick’s Day party. She loved March 17^th.

Well, this year on the blog, a toast of sorts…to you, Mom.

It starts with a story.

Every year at the Barnes’ family reunion in August we sing-lots of songs-most of them Irish classics. I remember one year talking to my Mom on the phone while I was at the reunion, and telling her how we had just sung “Oh Danny Boy.” (For all you good Irish folks out there, you surely know this classic). Well, my Mom loved it. I think if she could have, she would have jumped in her car and hopped on over to our party. She was a sucker for a good Irish party, and the Barnes’ were surely giving one that day.

Fast forward to last year: The Barnes family reunion. All of us gathered. Not just to celebrate, but to remember. For it marked the 10 year anniversary of Uncle Doug’s death. We had a memorial for him that weekend at his gravesite. Cousin Joe sang. Can you guess what song? “Oh Danny Boy.” It was moving. Touching. Perfect. A real tribute to Uncle Doug. How grateful I am to have videotaped it.

Since last August, Lucy has randomly asked me to watch the video of “cousin Joe singing.” So, of course, I oblige. She would want to watch--- again and again. For anyone who has heard Joe sing, you can understand why she would be so drawn to listening and watching.

So, one day recently, I just heard Lucy singing it: ”Oh Danny Boy, Oh Danny Boy….” She hadn’t been watching Joe’s video, she was just singing out of the blue….the parts she knew. I thought-- 'this child is really being called here. I think she is supposed to know this song.'

Enter Google, and “song lyrics” searching.

I learned it.

I sang it.

Lucy listened.

Lucy learned.

And behold:

(This one is for Rita, Doug, and you, Mom.

After all, you guys wanted her to learn it, right?)