THE TOWN I LOVED SO WELL., written by 'Phil Coulter' and sung by Paddy Reilly ,Paddy,a Dubliner, was a regular patron of my parents public house in Co .Armagh,(he taught me a few guitar chords)and was a quiet spoken gentleman ,Other patrons included the Wolfe Tones and the Dubliners, and many other notables of the early 60's would play concerts at a local venue ,but would always drop in for a few before and after performances.The song itself describes the changes that Phil Coulter himself an international pianist and performer noticed when returning to Derry from a long absence, Derry had chronic housing shortages,and is credited with being the birthplace of the modern troubles when a Unionist councillor used his position to allocate a much needed house to a young female relative,ahead of Catholic famiies with 14 children ( not uncommon then)
Derry also famously or infamously(depending on your viewpoint) became "Free Derry" For me a shining light in the Irish resistance to British Rule in the 6 counties in the 60's and through the murderous 70's (Miami showband massacre) .The song itself is Apolitical and struck a chord that resonated through both communities ,as both suffered equally for different reasons under British Occupation,
Everybody has heard songs that has affected or inspired them, In this forum I,ll share with you some songs and airs that did exactly that for me . There are many ,many songs that stay with me , and in no particular chronilogical order ,I'll begin with
"THE TOWN THAT I LOVED SO WELL ,"PADDY REILLY
.(if you paste the caps ,it will take you to "youtube"so you can hear these songs for yourself,)