“You raise me up” is a very famous song, especially in singing contests, but whose song is it? So, I started a long voyage of discovery.
　

The first idea popped up in my mind was that the song was first sung by Il Divo. But, I was wrong, as usual. Westlife’s version was listed first in the search result at youtube. But, that was not the correct answer again.
　

Thanks to wikipedia, “You raise me up” was originally released in 2002 in an album by Secret Garden. Ironically, I have a CD of Secret Garden which, of course, contains this famous song. In other words, I have the answer right here at home!!!
　

Composed by Rolf Løvland (Secret Garden)
Lyrics by Brendan Graham
Performed by Brian Kennedy and Tracy Campbell-Nation (originally, then covered by a lot performers such as Westlife, Il Divo and Josh Gorban)
　

When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary;
When troubles come and my heart burdened be;
Then I am still and wait here in the silence,
Until you come and sit awhile with me.
　

You raise me up so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up to more than I can be.
　

You raise me up so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up to more than I can be.
　

There is no life, no life without its hunger;
Each restless heart beats so imperfectly;
But when you come and I am filled with wonder,
Sometimes, I think I glimpse eternity.
　

You raise me up so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up to more than I can be.
　

You raise me up so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up to more than I can be.
　

Løvland is a Norwegian, while Secret Garden is an Irish-Norwegian duo as the other member Fionnuala Sherry is an Irish. Wikipedia stated that the song was originally written as an instrumental piece and titled “Silent Story” and that the melody was based on a traditional Irish tune.
　

It is also very interesting to find out that Lovland’s “You raise me up” did stand on someone else’s shoulders, i.e. an Icelandic song released in 1977 and performed by Vilhjálmur Vilhjálmsson. The song was called SÖKNUÐUR (Sense of Loss).
　

However, according to wikipeida, there is another song sharing the similar tune and the lyrics of that song was written in 1910 by English lawyer and lyricist Frederick Weatherly. Frederick’s lyrics were originally written for a different tune. It was his sister who modified them to fit “Londonderry Air” in 1913 when Weatherly sent her copy. The new song was then recorded in 1915 by Ernestine Schumann-Heink. The song was called “Danny Boy”. Like “You raised me up”, “Danny Boy” was covered by many singers, including Elvis Presley!
　

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
‘Tis you, ’tis you must go and I must bide.
But come ye back when summer’s in the meadow
Or when the valley’s hushed and white with snow
‘Tis I’ll be here in sunshine or in shadow
Oh Danny boy, oh Danny boy, I love you so.
　

But when ye come, and all the flowers are dying
If I am dead, as dead I well may be
You’ll come and find the place where I am lying
And kneel and say an "Ave" there for me.
And I shall hear, tho’ soft you tread above me
And all my grave will warmer, sweeter be
For ye shall bend and tell me that you love me
And I shall sleep in peace until you come to me.
　

(By the way, “Danny Boy” was intended as a message from a woman to a man, while an alternative male version “Eily dear” was provided by Weatherly in 1918. Anyway, the female version prevails and has been performed more often by male singers!)
　

Listening to the three versions, I think the tunes are quite similar and perhaps they all share the same tune, in Ireland called Londonderry Air and in Iceland under another name (unknown to me, but not to the Iceland people, of course). Anyway, is it good that we do not let ourselves be trapped in the copyright or originality issue and let ourselves be touched by the borderless soul of the music?
　

Thank you, wikipedia and internet, you “raise me up”!
　

From a simple search, I went for a long voyage of discovery. From a simple idea who sang firstly this song, I recognized how complex the situation can be. However, from the complexity of where a song may come from, I learned about the singularity of ownership and was brought to the unity of a tune, a line of verse, a pool of information and the self.
　

At home, at ease, we rest and be ready for the rest! (居易以俟命，《禮記》中庸篇第三十一)