I have to admit the first time I heard this song I curled up on my kitchen floor and cried profusely for at least 30 minutes straight. This is an extremely emotional and powerful song.
I know it as recorded by Tommy Sands, and later by Robbie O'Connell. Tommy Sands is the composer.
Apparently the song is based on a true incident in Ireland in 1974. The two subjects of this song were both friends of Sands.
For anyone not aware, the killings in this song were part of the "troubles" in Northern Ireland, a Protestant vs. Catholic, Irish vs. British low level war that lasted for decades.
But it certainly applies to many wars that have been fought over the centuries - in particular, civil wars, in which good friends may indeed end up fighting each other (or even brothers or cousins).
The roses metaphor ... roses are often laid on a casket at a funeral, so the song at this point is describing the tragic sadness of both Catholics and Protestants as they see more and more of their people laid to rest in the war.
Their tears running together ... he's suggesting that we're all the same on the inside, wars are caused by artificial walls created by institutions. The sorrow of one side of the war is matched, or shared, by the sorrow of the other side. We're all just people, after all.
It is tragic there isn't more of this song's sentiment felt throughout the world today (particularly in the Middle East)
I have to admit the first time I heard this song I curled up on my kitchen floor and cried profusely for at least 30 minutes straight. This is an extremely emotional and powerful song.
I know it as recorded by Tommy Sands, and later by Robbie O'Connell. Tommy Sands is the composer.
Apparently the song is based on a true incident in Ireland in 1974. The two subjects of this song were both friends of Sands.
For anyone not aware, the killings in this song were part of the "troubles" in Northern Ireland, a Protestant vs. Catholic, Irish vs. British low level war that lasted for decades.
But it certainly applies to many wars that have been fought over the centuries - in particular, civil wars, in which good friends may indeed end up fighting each other (or even brothers or cousins).
The roses metaphor ... roses are often laid on a casket at a funeral, so the song at this point is describing the tragic sadness of both Catholics and Protestants as they see more and more of their people laid to rest in the war.
Their tears running together ... he's suggesting that we're all the same on the inside, wars are caused by artificial walls created by institutions. The sorrow of one side of the war is matched, or shared, by the sorrow of the other side. We're all just people, after all.
It is tragic there isn't more of this song's sentiment felt throughout the world today (particularly in the Middle East)