‘Steal Away’, originally written in 1983, was inspired by Phil Coulter’s childhood dream of escaping the Troubles in Northern Ireland. Now, at the age of 81, Coulter has released a special version of the song that has been partially translated into Ukrainian by a choir comprised of individuals who fled the ongoing conflict in their country with Russian forces, seeking refuge on the island of Ireland.
Coulter expressed his excitement about the project, stating, “It’s truly been an incredible adventure for me, and I find it deeply heartwarming. Not every project has such a strong human element, and the entire experience has been incredibly emotional.”
The collaboration between the newly-formed National Ukrainian Choir, based in the Republic of Ireland, and Phil Coulter aims to promote integration and unity. The choir, consisting of 40 Ukrainian individuals from various parts of the country, gathered in Dublin for rehearsals and recorded the reimagined version of ‘Steal Away’.
The song resonated with the Ukrainian refugees as its lyrics, such as “For me and you, let’s start anew, and make a new beginning… We’ll leave behind the empty streets, the gloom and desolation,” held a powerful significance for their own experiences.
Coulter shared his thoughts on the relevance of the song, stating, “When I wrote it 40 years ago, it was inspired by escaping the Troubles in Northern Ireland. Little did I know that the lyrics would still hold relevance for them today. However, when we consider the current situation in Ukraine, it becomes apparent just how impactful the song truly is.”
The official launch of the reworked version of ‘Steal Away’ took place in Dublin, with Coulter and the choir performing together. The song will be available for download on Spotify at the end of August, allowing a wider audience to appreciate the collaborative effort.
In addition to the musical collaboration, Coulter expressed his admiration for the strength and resilience of the Ukrainian women he encountered during the initiative. Many of these women have essentially lost everything due to the destruction caused by the conflict. Coulter acknowledged that their decision to come to Ireland and embark on this positive and joyful endeavor of singing his song in a choir with Ukrainian lyrics demonstrates their need for hope and light in their lives.
Overall, the project brings together a diverse group of individuals who have faced hardships and challenges, offering them a platform for expression, unity, and integration through the power of music.
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