'Where We Lay Our Bodies Down' a new moving tribute by Martin Leahy to Ann Lovett

Cork singer songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Martin Leahy has released 'Where We Lay Our Bodies Down', in memory of Ann Lovett.

The gut wrenching track, which features Victoria Keating and Aine O'Gorman on harmony vocals and Martin Leahy on Vocals, Guitar, Pedal Steel and Drums, pays tribute to one of the darkest moments of misogyny in the history of the Irish state.

The track begins softly and eerily, with Leahy's gentle guitar strumming, before breaking into 'I dreamt of you last night my love'. Leahy's voice is soothing balm in the acoustic track, tempering the heavy subject matter.

The lyrics are almost aspirational, and the track plays like a hymn, but rather addressed to God, the track is addressed to Ann Lovett, the teenage girl who was let so down by her time.

Ann Lovett died forty years ago on the 31st of January 1984 after giving birth to her stillborn baby at a grotto in Granard, Longford, just 4 months after the 8th amendment was written into the Irish constitution. Her death played a seminal role in the national debate on the role of the church in Irish society, birth outside of marriage, teenage pregnancy and women's rights.

When the story broke in 1984, hundreds of letters were sent to The Gay Byrne Show to be read on air. In what became know as The Ann Lovett letters, outpourings of untold stories, grief and trauma were shared by by many Irish women who were inspired to write in because of Ann.

The radio program said of the letters: "Time and again they make the point that being able to write it all down is a relief. They thank Ann Lovett for giving them the courage to express what they have kept secret".

Martin Leahy is a musician, producer and singer/songwriter from the rebel county. Having played as a session musician for many years in Ireland, he started releasing his own music as a solo artist three years ago. He is no stranger to a protest song, having released the track 'Everyone Should Have A Home' in protest of the housing crisis.

Listen to 'Where Our Bodies Lay Down' here: