“The words came into my head while I was cycling along after a meeting.” Labour Councillor Dermot Lacey is putting politics aside for a moment to tell NewsFour about a song he composed, titled Meet Me at the Rosie.
“When I went home, I stayed up all night with a pen and paper, a glass or two of Jemmy, and then I wrote the song,” says the Councillor. “The song is a tribute to the working class people who make this city great, and Rosie Hackett is a symbol of that.”
The song has been released as a charity single for ALONE, who support older people by providing a befriending service, a long-term housing service and dealing with any crises that arise within the elderly community. ALONE doesn’t receive any government funding for the day-to-day running of their services, so donations towards the single will make a real difference to the lives of the older people they work with.
It would have been a surprise to everyone for Cllr. Lacey to sing the song he wrote; instead, Geraldine Finn put her vocals to the track, while Martin Tourish composed the music.
Geraldine is a singer from Co. Galway who has sung and toured extensively with the band RíRá, and sings in a number of different styles including Irish traditional, soul and jazz.
Martin is a Dublin-based accordionist, composer and producer, originally from Co. Donegal, and has just released his latest album, Under a Red Sky Night, to critical acclaim.
Dermot and the gang recorded the song in Silverwoods Studios in Wicklow with Gavin Ralston on April 16th. It was released for download on iTunes on May 20th, in time for the opening of the new Rosie Hackett Bridge.
Meet me at the Rosie
We courted “at the Pillar”,
then under Clery’s Clock,
Now it’s time for a new tradition,
Where Dub’s young lovers can take stock.
So meet me at “The Rosie”,
will be our new refrain.
As we remember Rosie Hackett,
And her claim to fame.
(chorus)
So sing a song for Rosie,
a hero of our town,
Worked all her life for Ireland,
Fought the bosses and the crown.
Working for the Workers,
Striking for their rights,
Printing drafts for Connolly,
Through Liberty Hall’s long nights.
She led the Women’s Union,
Delia Larkin by her side
Putting on those Red Hand pins,
that they wore with pride.
(chorus)
As we stroll now across the Liffey,
Bringing people South and North,
Remember that great Woman,
who showed what we were worth.
So three cheers for Rosie Hackett,
And Dublin’s brand new bridge,
sing a song for love and freedom,
And of our Labour heritage.
(chorus x 2)
Above: Rosie Hackett.
By Donna Dunne
