I am teaching myself to play piano and am now learning the song Danny Boy, and it instantly reminded me of a incident that was quite hilarious. Whenever I play or hear this song, I have a partner in my head. An old lady at the library.
At lunch when I was working, I would often go to the library. I usually had quite a few books on hold to pick up and an equal amount to return.
One day as I entered the library I spotted a woman I used to know from a previous job at a senior’s center. She had been a member there.
So I approached her to say hello.
It was noon, so the library entrance was filled with patrons and staff.
This lady remembered me, I think, but she had other things on her mind. She asked me if I knew where she could get the lyrics and music score for the song Danny Boy. I pointed to the information desk and suggested she ask them.
She grabbed my arm and said, “Do you know the song Danny Boy?”
Before I could say a word, she launched into singing Danny Boy, at the top of her lungs to a very surprised crowd and a very shocked me.
Everyone stopped what they were doing. I think time stopped. She dug her fingers into my arm so I could not escape.
There were baffled looks. Amused looks. Angry looks. So many looks directed at us.
She sang the WHOLE damn song, full blast, TWICE.
And then she just walked away from me, my bruised arm and audience like it never happened.