Danny Boy這首歌從小就耳熟能詳.聽來聽去都是民謠風,這次,從爸爸家拿回來的老歌選集裡,Danny Boy的唱腔很奇特.前所未聞.是誰?” Johnny Cash.”弟弟說.難怪.那慢悠悠的閒散嗓音倒也耐聽.這是父親喜愛的歌.如果說”阿頓河慢慢流”代表母親在我心裡的形象,那Danny Boy就是父親的形象了.他說H大夫酒後常會唱Danny Boy,藉歌懷念早逝的兒子德彼.父親老了,記憶有差錯.年輕時候,H大夫愛唱這首歌沒錯,可德彼走時,H大夫早已隱退後山,哪能時時聽他唱?不過這是美麗的錯誤.Danny Boy確實是懷念孩子的歌沒錯.聽了一輩子,我從沒仔細把歌詞聽進去.只記得片段.或者,曾經看過歌詞,但心不在焉.這回我把歌詞看仔細了:
Oh Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling
From glen to glen, and down the mountain side
The summer’s gone, and all the roses falling
It’s you, it’s you must go and I must bide.
But come ye back when summer’s in the meadow
Or when the valley’s hused and white with snow
I’ll be here in sunshine or in shadow
Oh Danny boy, oh Danny boy, I miss you so.
But if you call, as all the flowers are falling
And if you’re dead,as dead you well may be
I’ll come and find the place where you are lying
And kneel and say an”Ave”there for thee.
But come ye back when summer’s in the meadow
Or when the vally’s hushed and white with snow
I’ll be here in sunshine or in shadow
Oh Danny boy, oh Danny boy, I love you so.
年近半百,魯鈍的我懂了.這是為天下父母吟唱的歌.樸實優美,直指人心.父母對子女總是癡心一片.無論生離死別,總得接受,守候.I’ll be here in shunshine or in shadow,眼淚落了下來.我是子女,也是父母.體會夠深的了.下次兒子問我歌詞說什麼,可以清楚地告訴他了.
