Christy Moore releases spoken word tribute to President Michael D. Higgins

Christy Moore has released 'Music to Our Ears', a spoken word tribute to President Michael D. Higgins.

The track, written by poet Johnny Broderick and produced by Gavin Murphy, celebrates President Higgins’ life and legacy as he enters the last months of his second and final term in office. The tribute will also feature on the extended edition of Moore’s No.1 album A Terrible Beauty, set for release later this year.

Speaking on the project, Christy said: "I think it is a beautiful tribute to our esteemed President and His Family. I think Johnny B’s
words express what many of us feel about Michael D. and, Our First Lady, Sabina."

The tribute is the latest show of respect and admiration between Moore and President Higgins.

In a heartfelt message celebrating Moore’s 80th birthday earlier this year, President Higgins praised the singer’s decades of service to music and culture: "Through your music, you have lent voice to those often unheard, bringing to the public discourse the concerns, hopes, and struggles of ordinary people with extraordinary empathy and dignity," he said.

He also described Moore’s voice as "one of the most distinctive and enduring in Irish life," commending his "profound sense of justice" and his grounding in "the values of community, equality and solidarity."

Reflecting on a visit to Áras an Uachtaráin, Moore once wrote: "Encounters with Michael D. over many decades have always been memorable. Meeting him again as the elected President of Ireland was a particular pleasure. There was a feeling of having a true 'man of the people' in Áras an Uachtaráin."

President Michael D. Higgins, a former Hot Press columnist from 1983 to 1993, will step down from his role later this year after serving the maximum of 14 years in office.

You can check out the lyric video for 'Music To Our Ears' below: