"Perhaps someday the bishops will wake up
and realize that music
is as spiritual as prayer,
and the melody
of Danny Boy
touches more hearts
than any liturgical piece
favored by
the Vatican in Rome..."
The scandal of the Roman Catholic Church's banning of the traditional song Danny Boy from the funerals of faithful Irish American parishioners has reignited this week at a funeral in the Bridgeport, Connecticut diocese. Irish Americans throughout the area, and now around the country are reacting in rage and disgust after a 78-year-old, 40-year parishioner's last request to have the tune played was denied at the eleventh hour, because, according to the parish priest, the song is "not liturgical."
In defiance of the ban, the deceased's son read the lyrics to Danny Boy during a eulogy, while a bagpiper who'd been hired for the occasion defiantly blared the anthem at the church's door as the casket was brought out into the sunshine.Now, distinguished writer and musician Larry Kirwan, leader of the totemic Celtic expatriate rock band, Black 47, comments exclusively to Tabloid Baby about the incident, which is apparently commonplace throughout the country, and is driving a stake through the heart of many Irish American Catholics who already reeling from the church's paedophile coverup scandal:
"I'm not surprised by what happened. I've heard of other instances. It all goes to show just how out of touch with Irish-America the bishops are. The church has always been as much a social part of peoples lives as a religious one. The bishops continue to ignore that, either because of a case of "tin ears" or just plain arrogance and self-esteem. I might add that this is not usually the case with the regular clergy and (the parish priest in question) may just be laboring under orders.
"Anyway, all credit to your bagpiper for finding a way to honor your Father; perhaps someday the bishops will wake up and realize that music is as spiritual as prayer, and the melody of Danny Boy touches more hearts than any liturgical piece favored by the Vatican in Rome or native episcopal palace."
(Kirwan and Black 47 have recorded their own, very distinct version of Danny Boy that has itself become a hymn to many Irish emigres.)
"The ballad Danny Boy has long been played at funerals, wakes and memorial services, its mournful strains conjuring up images of Ireland's green pastures and wind-swept hills. New York Fire Chief Peter Ganci, killed in the World Trade Center attack, actor Carroll O'Connor and John F. Kennedy Jr. all were laid to rest with the plaintive melody."
ReplyDelete- and I say they should keep doing it. Make it a Grandfather clause. If it was already a tradition - keep it that way.
It's a shame that the final request of a man like your dad - who faithfully served his church and country -cannot be honored and respected in the same way. I'm sure you'll hear Danny Boy at St. Pat's in NYC when the next Irish firefighter takes his last bows. It's all up to the local bishop. Some get it. Some obviously don't.