The Faltering Flame: Poems And Songs For Peace

The Faltering Flame is a collection of poems and songs united behind the common theme of striving for peace in Northern Ireland. All the profits from the sale of this CD go to the Cornerstone and Currach projects, two bodies working with mixed community groups on the peace line in Belfast. Needless to say, it's a very worthy cause and deserves your support.

As it happens, The Faltering Flame is also a very fine collection. Paddy Houlahan composes most of the tunes, but the title track is masterfully delivered by the immortal Sean Tyrrell. Tyrrell rightly under-sings the anthemic chorus and the songs' catch cry is more believable that way.

Another highlight is a beautiful poem by Eavan Boland. A reaction to the murder of a young man by the name of Aengus, 'Child Of Our Time' was written as far back as 1974. It's read well here by Mary O'Malley. O'Malley, herself, contributes a poem called 'Ceasefire'. Minimalist and sparse, her own verse expresses with body-blow force the chasm that opened up in her when the last ceasefire ended.

The need to sit down with the enemy in hugely painful situations is articulated in the lines of many of the poems and songs. Best of all with this subject is Michael Longley's 'Ceasefire', which takes the case of King Priam and Achilles.

The outstanding offering, though, is Pat Ingoldsby's 'Do Not Kill Anybody For Me'. Straightforward and simple, its humanity and honesty, and the starkness of its descriptions of people murdered, makes it an unforgettable piece. The Faltering Flame is worth every penny and more for Ingoldsby's contribution alone.