U2 share lyrics of reworked version of 'Beautiful Day' recited at Glen Hansard's funeral

U2 have shared the lyrics of a reworked version of their song, ‘Beautiful Day’, which was recited at Glen Hansard’s funeral on Tuesday, August 4.

During the ceremony at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Bono first played a voice message from Patti Smith. In the message, Smith sang a lullaby she wrote for Glen’s family. Bono then spoke the lyrics to ‘Beautiful Day’ which was rewritten by him and the Edge as a tribute to Hansard.

“See those eyes flashing landing light blue / Seven towers holding up the sky for you / Arrivals and departures, this is what we do / You write your life ‘til the story becomes true / Ginger cake smile, a movie star too / If the street be your stage how come / there’s thousands in the queue / McDaid’s feels like a stadium but there’s / only me and you / You left a hangover from hell, of this / there is no doubt / But as you wake up in heaven, all the angels will shout”

U2 posted the lyrics on Instagram yesterday, alongside a painting of Hansard by Colin Davidson.

Before playing Smith’s voice message, Bono reflected, “So, 187,321 best friends. Two and a half million second best friends… how do you do that? People on the green outside, in the park… best friends. People tuning in… best friends. It’s not messing. Even people who haven’t met him… best friends.”

During the funeral, Eddie Vedder performed Hansard’s ‘The Song of Good Hope’ with Markéta Irglová. Both musicians then joined a group performance of Bob Dylan’s ‘Forever Young’.

Hansard's elder brother, Gary Hansard, sang 'I Can See God', accompanied by Frank Killeen. Then, Lisa O'Neill, Colm Mac Con Iomaire, Joseph Doyle and Michael Buckley performed O'Neill's 'Old Note' lament. Damien Dempsey also sang, leading the way in 'Sing All Our Cares Away'.

Hansard died in a road traffic accident July 29, aged 56. Tributes continue to pour in from the likes of US president Barack Obama, Bruce Springsteen, Bono, President Catherine Connolly, Michael D. Higgins, Dermot Kennedy, Ed Sheeran, Hozier and more.

 

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