'Danny Boy' Discord Rings in Catholic Churches

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

But maybe after Mass.

The Catholic community in Rhode Island is in the midst of a debate over whether "Danny Boy," the treasured Irish-American ballad, is an appropriate farewell song at a Catholic funeral Mass.

The Diocese of Providence's music commission will "educate" its parishes' music directors that songs such as "Danny Boy," however beloved, do not belong in Mass. The Rev. Peter J. Andrews, director of worship for the diocese, said last week it would possibly be done in the form of a workshop or letter.

"I want 'Danny Boy' sung at my funeral Mass, and if it isn't, I'm going to get up and walk out."

No telling what could happen without "Danny Boy." Irish Catholics like Charles McKenna, a "retired Irish cop and proud of it," are predicting no rest.

He promised in a letter to The Providence Visitor, the Diocese's official newspaper: "I want 'Danny Boy' sung at my funeral Mass, and if it isn't, I'm going to get up and walk out."

"Danny Boy" is perfectly reverent, he said last week.

"We're not talking about 'Who Threw the Overalls in Mrs. Murphy's Chowder,'" he said, referring to another song popular with Irish-Americans.

Catholic doctrines say Mass must not be marred by secular tunes, that liturgical music must come from sacred text or be written specifically for Mass. Some churches, however, quietly make exceptions for "Danny Boy."

Many Irish-Americans consider the ballad, only formally known as "Londonderry Air," an adopted national anthem. They whistle the melancholy tale of the Irish lad, summoned to the military by bagpipes, to their babies. They sing it to sons named Daniel.

They want "Danny Boy" at their funerals.

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