BITTERSWEET, Ky. — As I have continued this journey through various musical genres over the last few weeks, I came upon a song familiar to me and, I would like to think, to many others.

But in doing a little research, I discovered many of the people I spoke with about this favorite ballad of mine had never heard it. At first I thought these people I associate with had been living under a rock. How could you not know “Danny Boy?”

This mostly Irish tune dates back over 100 years and at one time was the most popular song in the early 20th century. It was written by Frederic Weatherly, who was an English lawyer credited with writing more than 3,000 songs.

The Irish part comes in because the lyrics were set to the Irish tune "Londonderry Air,” which is actually an instrumental song dating back to the mid-1800s.

I understand how music lovers could have missed this one because of its age. But since it was first released over a century ago, you wouldn’t believe the number of artists who have recorded it – and, more importantly at least to me, the diverse group of performers who have seen the value in this beautiful song.

There are the usual suspects you would think found this charming song fitting nicely into their repertoire, artists like Bing Crosby, Andy Williams and Judy Garland. But many country stars also found this song appealing, including Jim Reeves, Conway Twitty and Johnny Cash.

What I found rather interesting in further research was the fact that many artists I would have never guessed would even know “Danny Boy” actually recorded it, such as the likes of Thin Lizzy, a hard rock band popular in the 1970s and ’80s although I think they are still around.

Okay, this band is from Ireland, so I will give in to the fact they probably knew the song. However, a South Korean girl band called Girls’ Generation released the song in 2013. Who knew?

One of my favorite versions was released in 2002 by Eva Cassidy. She had the most beautiful voice and after her death, the song became quite a hit in Great Britain.

But I have to confess, of all the folks that have recorded this great song over the years, the version I am most fond of and the one I hold dearest to my heart is the one performed by my father. No, he was not a recording artist, but it was his voice I remember first and he sang this song to me and my siblings when we were small.

My niece sang this song at his funeral and I will always connect it to him. So, here’s to you, Dad, and one of our favorite tunes. If only I could hear you sing it one more time.

Bluegrass Johnson comes from a long line of country music performers and enjoys a passion for the rhythm and melody. From the hills of Kentucky, he will offer his opinions on a variety of new country music each week. Readers with questions or comments may write to Johnson in care of this publication.