Sara Dowling - Fields Of Athenry

FIELDS OF ATHENRY written in 1979 by Pete St John. Performed by Sara Dowling Al Husseini (Voice/Cello) Omran Adrah (Qanoun) Filmed/mixed/edited by Dario Di Lecce I would like to firstly dedicate this performance to all the oppressed people around the world. May the criminals of our world currently committing war crimes and complicit in genocide receive their comeuppance. Throughout history famine and violence has been used as a weapon of war on innocent men, women and children. Ireland's story is no different with the Irish Famine. As a Palestinian - Irish musician I wondered what it would sound like to sing an Irish song with the unmistakable Arabic sound of the Qanoun. So whilst in the studio recording my composition based on the Palestinian poem 'Kafani Amouto' I turned to Omran and said "What if I sing an Irish song with Qanoun?" In his Omran's sweet Syrian accent and humble manner, he answered "Sing it to me Sara and I will try" Once upon a time Omran was a Qanoun player in Damascus before his country was devoured by war. One can view footage of his spectacular improvisations with the Syrian National Orchestra. He graduated in the Higher Institute of Music in Damascus and completed his masters degree at Berklee College in Valencia. He's the most natural musician I've ever met. My last dedication is to my beautiful father Martin Mahmood Dowling. (Rahmatuallah Alay) You live in our heart always. I will never forget how proud you were to be Irish and your equal devotion to the Palestinian cause. Thank you for singing this song to us. Low lie the Fields of Athenry Where once we watched the small free birds fly Our love was on the wing We had dreams and songs to sing It's so lonely 'round the Fields of Athenry