Yes, but did it love you back?

 

Today’s entry in the Pandemic World Basement Tapes series is another that, to me, reflects our own troubled times: Phil Coulter of the Dubliners’ tune “The Town That I Loved So Well.” This one was suggested to me awhile back by a Irish former student of mine, Gavin Colton -- and it certainly fits, as the first three verses rhapsodize about how much Mr. Coulter loved his hometown of Derry, while the last two verses mourn about how the town was damaged and hurt by the Troubles, yet there’s a glimpse of hope in his words.

Hopefully we can find a glimpse of hope within our current civil unrest, but our president is doing his utmost to destroy any chance of that, if yesterday was any example. *sigh* Mr. Coulter has said that he hopes this song becomes the one that he’s remembered for -- and I think it will be.

I will say that there’s one moment of levity in the lyrics: “There was music there in that Derry air.” I don’t know if the double entendre was deliberate or not, but I guess we could ask Mr. Coulter, should we ever meet him.

In any case, it’s a wonderful song and a lovely paean to Derry. I’ve been there, and Derry is a delightful town.

All the usual caveats apply: I did one pass through the song and that’s it… If you like it, please feel free to subscribe to my channel on YouTube (sleighwriter) and drop a comment if you’re so inclined. Otherwise, I’ll see you again soon.