And the Healing Has Begun...

For anyone interested in Northern Ireland, its history, its culture, its music.... finally here comes a book that offers a new approach into understanding thecomplex diversity that has shaped Northern Irish society and its people duringthe times of the Troubles and beyond. Like poems, songs, in their own right,should be recognised as historical documents. From Mickey McConnells Only ourRivers Run Free and Phil Coulter The Town I loved so Well to Tommy Sands ThereWere Roses - political & social developments inspired Northern Irish poets andsongwriters alike. By incorporating a great amount of background informationon the artists mentioned above and resulting from personal interviews with theauthor a very unique insight into the history of Northern Ireland is given. In addition, the vast amount of songs written from an outsiders perspective andin particular in the Rock and Popmusic Genre such as Paul McCartneys GiveIreland back to the Irish, John Lennons Sunday, Bloody Sunday to James TaylorsBelfast to Boston and Katie Meluas Belfast, also required appropriate recognition. Together, all these songs compiled and discussed in this book will provide thereader with a better understanding of Northern Irelands history, its society, itspeople past and present. Whether it is for further academic research or simply used as reference materialfor anyone interested in Irish Music and Songs about and from Northern Ireland,this book will remain an essential guide and reference book in years to come.