Danny Boy Banned at Funeral Masses
Laura Gonzalez
Brian Carovillano
ASSOCIATED PRESS
-----------------------------------------------------------
PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- 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.
So when the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence banned
"Danny Boy" and other secular songs from funeral Masses, it
raised the ire of Irish-Americans.
"I want 'Danny Boy' sung at my funeral Mass and, if it
isn't, I'm going to get up and walk out," retired Pawtucket
police Officer Charlie McKenna wrote in April to the
Providence Visitor.
The weekly diocesan newspaper received dozens of letters,
some from as far away as California, urging Bishop Robert E.
Mulvee to reverse his decision - at least when it came to
"Danny Boy." So far, he hasn't.
"The controversy took on a life of its own," said the Rev.
Bernard A. Healey, theological consultant to the Visitor. "I
don't blame people, but really it's a lack of understanding
of what a funeral Mass is supposed to be.
"It's about their connection with Jesus Christ and the
church, not their connection with the Emerald Isle."
Other bishops have left the question of funeral music up to
parish priests.
The Archdiocese of New York, which has buried scores of
police officers and firefighters since September 11, often
playing "Danny Boy" at the service, usually discourages the
use of secular music during Mass.
"All music played at church services should be liturgically
appropriate music," said Joe Zwilling, a spokesman for the
archdiocese. "But we don't have a policy about any one song,
or a list of songs that can't be used."
Besides lacking the appropriate piety, the song itself can
counter what funeral services are supposed to accomplish,
Mr. Healey said.
"Part of what I do at a funeral Mass is try to lift people's
spirits," he said. "But the song is emotionally
manipulative. Everything I've spent the last hour working
toward is gone within two minutes because everyone is
reduced to tears."
Despite its popularity among Irish-Americans, the song's
lyrics actually were penned by an Englishman, Frederick
Edward Weatherly, in 1913, and set to the tune of the
17th-century Irish folk song "Londonderry Aire."
"Danny Boy" tells the tale of an Irish lad called to
military duty by the sound of distant bagpipes, and a loved
one who promises to wait for him. "'Tis I'll be here in
sunshine or in shadow / Oh Danny boy, oh Danny boy, I love
you so," go the wistful lyrics.
The tune has long been cherished by police officers and
firefighters, who identify with its message, Mr. McKenna
said.
"Danny's answering a call, and it's uncertain whether he's
going to return or not," he said. "If you think about it, a
policeman and a fireman, they do the same thing. What
happened in New York is a perfect example."
Also, fire and police departments historically have been
dominated by Irishmen, another reason why "Danny Boy" often
is blown on the bagpipes during ceremonies for fallen
officers.
Tom Deignan, a columnist for the New York-based Irish Voice
newspaper, wrote about the ban in July and was inundated
with letters from across the country. Some readers
circulated a pro-"Danny Boy" petition that they intend to
present to Bishop Mulvee.
"Ninety-nine percent were saying it was ridiculous," Mr.
Deignan said. "Just to judge from the reaction we got, it's
clear that song means a lot to a lot of people."
The song has been played at many funerals connected to the
attack on the World Trade Center, he said, often by the New
York Police Department's Emerald Society bagpipers.
"The Irish community was hit particularly hard by the
tragedy," Mr. Deignan said.
Back in Providence, Bishop Mulvee's decision may be
unpopular, but he is on solid ground from the church's
perspective. Church documents plainly advise that popular
ballads be excluded from Mass, said David Early, a spokesman
for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
"These kinds of songs should clearly be avoided," Mr. Early
said. "But it's not a matter of church doctrine. It's a
pastoral decision left to the interpretation of the local
bishop."
No other American church leaders appear to have taken as
strong a stand on the issue as Bishop Mulvee.
Popular songs have long found their way into churches.
Examples include "Morning Has Broken," popularized in the
1970s by Cat Stevens, and "America the Beautiful."
"If you allow 'Danny Boy,' then you open all kinds of other
questions about what should and shouldn't be allowed," said
Mr. Healey, who personally has rejected requests to have
Frank Sinatra's "My Way," John Denver's "Annie's Song" and
Bette Midler's "Wind Beneath My Wings" played at funerals.
The diocese formed a committee to look at the infiltration
of secular music, Mr. Healey said, and the group intends to
send a letter by the end of the year to parishes detailing
what is acceptable during Mass.
One alternative has been to play the song for other parts of
the funeral rites, such as at the wake or during a
procession. Some church music directors are using a version
of the song with lyrics from the hymn "In Paradisum" with
the music from "Danny Boy."
But even Mr. Healey says priests can be only so insistent
with a family mourning the death of their beloved.
"I'm not going to fight with the family over 'Danny Boy,'"
he said. "And with the tragedy the scope of what happened in
New York, I can't fault any priest who's allowed it to be
played in their church."
-----------------------------------------------------------
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(http://www.washtimes.com/culture/20011031-512077.htm)
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Copyright (c) 2001 News World Communications, Inc. All
rights reserved.
Carlton
"Laura Gonzalez" <nos...@home.net> wrote in message
news:7od9utofi8pe17mb3...@4ax.com...
funeral all they have to do is have a regular ceremony outside the church.
People act as if one will not go to heaven if they aren't buried in a Catholic
manner. Catho;ic folks act as if the soul begins and ends with the Catholic
church. Pretty sad the way people's minds are set.
PBarker
> I can't see what the big deal is?? If one wants"Danny Boy" sung at ones
> funeral all they have to do is have a regular ceremony outside the church.
> People act as if one will not go to heaven if they aren't buried in a
Catholic
> manner. Catho;ic folks act as if the soul begins and ends with the
Catholic
> church. Pretty sad the way people's minds are set.
+ Funerals aren't for the dead people, silly.
+ No more than graduation ceremonies are for the students.
+ Just because you don't have loved ones who wish to
get together at "family" times, doesn't mean others
shouldn't be able to do as they wish....
Carlton
"PBarker" <bark...@erinet.com> wrote in message
news:3be560f7$0$43568$4c5e...@news.erinet.com...
> "Carlton" wrote
> > I can't see what the big deal is?? If one wants"Danny Boy" sung at ones
> > funeral all they have to do is have a regular ceremony outside the church.
> > People act as if one will not go to heaven if they aren't buried in a
> Catholic
> > manner. Catho;ic folks act as if the soul begins and ends with the
> Catholic
> > church. Pretty sad the way people's minds are set.
>
> + Funerals aren't for the dead people, silly.
I was stating my claim in reference to the living. Let's take for an example
A Catholic male passes away. He leaves behind his predominantly Catholic friends
and family. The church has places specific limitations on the ceremony that is
against the deceased's wishes. Silly things like, forbidding the deceased's
preferred song. I feel that the family would side with the church and have
the ceremony there even though it would be against the deceased's wishes
due to the new prohibitions set forth by the church. I just can't see life long
Catholics giving up a "church" ceremony the appease the last wishes of their
dearly departed.
> + No more than graduation ceremonies are for the students.
The students that attend the ceremony are alive and do receive their proper
awards at that time. They are still able to speak for themselves. Bad Comparison.
> + Just because you don't have loved ones who wish to
> get together at "family" times, doesn't mean others
> shouldn't be able to do as they wish....
>
?
Gabby
"Carlton" <nospam@spam> wrote in message
news:tub3133...@corp.supernews.com...
Mass is for the praise and worship of God. That doesn't change because it's
a funeral Mass Music has to serve the Liturgy and Danny Boy is a long way
from doing that. What does "Danny Boy" have to do with the Resurrection?
The proper place for any of those favorite secular songs would be the
funeral home or the reception after the funeral. Same with the eulogy which
is forbidden by the GIRM.
Suzanne
Alan Ferris
>
>"Gabby" <msme...@nospam.hvgb.net> wrote in message
>news:tubddsn...@corp.supernews.com...
>>
>> Mass is for the praise and worship of God. That doesn't change because
>it's
>> a funeral Mass Music has to serve the Liturgy and Danny Boy is a long way
>> from doing that. What does "Danny Boy" have to do with the Resurrection?
>> The proper place for any of those favorite secular songs would be the
>> funeral home or the reception after the funeral. Same with the eulogy
>which
>> is forbidden by the GIRM.
>>
>funeral Mass will be prayed in this parish no matter where I was living at
>the time. There hasn't been anything said about excluding Danny Boy, but
>there has been a slight change in the way funerals are done in the parish.
>There is a viewing before the Mass. The Rosary is prayed, the harpist plays,
>the eulogy is said and then finally Danny Boy is sung as the casket is
>closed before the Mass. The harpists plays until Mass is started. After
>Mass, we follow in procession to the Celtic Cross, sometimes stopping if the
>family has arranged for a stone in the walk. From there comes the cemetery
>and the bagpipes. Bunches of white clover or green carnations are placed on
>the casket. From there..a luncheon at the Hibernians. All in walking
>distance. I would hate to see this disappear, there is comfort in the
>familiarity of it all. I think Laura posted about the Church refusing to do
>the Quinceañera's for the Mexican girls. The Church leaders need to take
>into account the cultural customs of different groups and work with them.
>There can be a way to make it work without compromising the Holy Mass in any
>way. A solution such as that done in my birth parish would have been better
>than just forbidding the song completely. Remember, Jesus loves the Irish.
>;o)
Having attended a lot of funerals in Ireland, I must admit I have
never heard Danny Boy played once. It must be an Irish American
thing.
--
Alan Ferris
eligo, ergo sum Atheist #1211
EAC(UK)#252 Ironic Torture Div.
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the only sound
the broken bell
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Gabby
"Scout Lady" <wu50...@sneakemail.com> wrote in message
news:DnjF7.11077$C96.136...@newssvr17.news.prodigy.com...
has been made to assure that the Liturgy is not compromised while still
maintaining the traditions that are important to people. I have to
congratulate the person(s) responsible for that, they seem to have done a
fine job.
There are a lot of things the Church forbids which seem unreasonable on the
surface but when you look at the reasons they make perfect sense. The one
that comes to mind is the removal of flags from veterans' coffin as they are
brought into the church for the funeral and replacing them with the pall.
Many veterans are offended by that, but once the meaning of the pall is
explained -- in detail -- they are more likely to understand, and if they
are at all religious they have a tendency to embrace the pall as opposed to
the flag. It's when you just say "You can't cuz the Church says you can't"
that you run into problem. If you take the trouble to explain why some
things are not done, then people are more likely to be receptive.
But it really bugs me when someone famous dies, like Prime Minister Trudeau
last year, and a cardinal celebrates a funeral Mass loaded with all the
things that the GIRM and the Funeral Liturgy forbids. Roses on the coffin
for the Mass; not 1, not 2 but 3 eulogies, just to name two things. Then
when we try to tell parishioners that the Church doesn't allow these things
we're told "Well, Trudeau had them why can't my dad?" I mean even in my
parish in Labrador we've had "Danny Boy" sung at a funeral Mass while the
gifts were brought up. Makes one want to weep sometimes.
Suzanne
Cunneen
A Catholic male passes away. He leaves behind his predominantly Catholic
friends
and family. The church has places specific limitations on the ceremony that is
against the deceased's wishes. Silly things like, forbidding the deceased's
preferred song. I feel that the family would side with the church and have
the ceremony there even though it would be against the deceased's wishes
due to the new prohibitions set forth by the church. I just can't see life long
Catholics giving up a "church" ceremony the appease the last wishes of their
dearly departed.>>
This is silliness. The piper can play Danny Boy as the body is rolled out of
the church and into the hearse. No one objects to that, since the funeral
service is over. The church has no control of what goes on at the curb. You can
play whatever you want at the gravesite before the gravesite liturgy begins or
whatever you want after the liturgy ends.
Troublemakers will find a way to make trouble no matter what, and creative
Catholics will find a way to do what they want within the parameters the bishop
sets up.
Laura Gonzalez
<wu50...@sneakemail.com> wrote:
>I was raised in a strictly Irish Catholic parish. It is my intent that my
>funeral Mass will be prayed in this parish no matter where I was living at
>the time. There hasn't been anything said about excluding Danny Boy, but
>there has been a slight change in the way funerals are done in the parish.
>There is a viewing before the Mass. The Rosary is prayed, the harpist plays,
>the eulogy is said and then finally Danny Boy is sung as the casket is
>closed before the Mass. The harpists plays until Mass is started. After
>Mass, we follow in procession to the Celtic Cross, sometimes stopping if the
>family has arranged for a stone in the walk. From there comes the cemetery
>and the bagpipes. Bunches of white clover or green carnations are placed on
>the casket. From there..a luncheon at the Hibernians. All in walking
>distance. I would hate to see this disappear, there is comfort in the
>familiarity of it all. I think Laura posted about the Church refusing to do
>the Quinceañera's for the Mexican girls. The Church leaders need to take
>into account the cultural customs of different groups and work with them.
>There can be a way to make it work without compromising the Holy Mass in any
>way. A solution such as that done in my birth parish would have been better
>than just forbidding the song completely. Remember, Jesus loves the Irish.
>;o)
What you describe in no way compromises the *Mass.* Non-religious
music has no place in the *Mass.* Before, after, that's a whole other
story.
Carlton
>
> What you describe in no way compromises the *Mass.* Non-religious
> music has no place in the *Mass.* Before, after, that's a whole other
> story.
Be better if you read your original post:
From: "Laura Gonzalez" <nos...@home.net>
Subject: Danny Boy Banned at Funeral Masses
Date: Saturday, November 03, 2001 10:27 PM
'DANNY BOY'
Brian Carovillano
ASSOCIATED PRESS
-----------------------------------------------------------
snip------------------------
So when the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence banned
"Danny Boy" and other secular songs from funeral Masses, it
raised the ire of Irish-Americans.
snip====================
Cunneen
music has no place in the *Mass.* Before, after, that's a whole other story.>>
It's really more specific than that. Not all religious music is liturgically
appropriate music. Singing Ave Maria during the communion procession is
inappropriate. Music should be an part of the service, not a little background
tune.