Song of the Week: 'There were Roses' by Tommy Sands

This song is written by Northern Irish Singer-songwriter Tommy Sands, who tells a true story about two of his friends; "Allan Bell" from Benagh, a Protestant, and "Sean O'Malley" from South Armagh, a Catholic, and what happened to them during 'The Troubles'.

‘The Troubles’ were a time of unrest and violence in Ireland. They arose from some being discontent with the separation of the country, while others wanted Northern Ireland to remain part of the UK. This conflict started in 1969 and continued for around 30 years until the Good Friday Agreement was signed in 1998. During this time, an abundance music emerged from Ireland that told the effects of 'The Troubles' and what people went through. These Songs became known as Irish Rebel Songs.

'There were Roses' has been described as one of the best songs written about 'The Troubles' and, personally, I think that it shows how both sides of this conflict were affected by what happened. Generally during 'The Troubles' in Northern Ireland, Irish Protestants and Irish Catholics didn’t coexist peacefully due to sectarianism and division in culture, not to mention the peer pressure to hate the opposite side. This song tells of two people who, despite being from different political sides, were close friends and used to meet on 'the Ryan Road' for music and craic.

Then something awful happened;

"It was on the Sunday morning when the awful news came round, Another killing has been done just outside Newry town."

It turned out to be their friend Allan. At his funeral "the minister he closed his eyes and he prayed for "No revenge." Unfortunately, this was not the case, and the people of 'the Ryan Road' feared what would happen next...

"When the car of death came prowling round

the lonely Ryan Road A Catholic would be killed tonight to even up the score O Christ, it's young O'Malley that they've taken from the door."

They didn't care which Catholic they took, they just had to get revenge for Allan's death. Even though he begged them to let him live, and he told them he was Allan's friend, they did not care. Sand's puts this as:

"But centuries of hatred have ears that cannot hear, 'An eye for an eye' was all that filled their minds, And another eye for another eye till everyone is blind."

Basically, if everyone keeps getting revenge, eventually there will be no-one left. Those that took O'Malley were so blinded by the ingrained hatred, that they would not acknowledge that they were killing someone who was just as close to Allan as they were. It was a sad situation.This song is extremely sad, but it also has an important message which I think we need to listen to. Revenge only keeps the cycle of hurt going.

The final point that Sands makes in this poignant piece is this:

"Those that give the orders are not the ones to die, It's Bell and O'Malley, and the likes of you and I."

This is true for the majority of wars and disputes. The leaders are always safely behind closed doors, while the innocent citizens are being hurt.

I chose this song for song of the week because I was recently reminded of it and felt I wanted to share it with you. While sad, this song has a beauty to it and i just love it. Please give it a listen and let me know what you think!