Phil Coulter ~ The Town I Loved So Well
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 10 ก.พ. 2025
- 'Of all the songs I have recorded. This, is the one I would like to be remembered for...'. Phil, I think you may be right on this one.. You will ALWAYS remain in our hearts and in our thoughts, even long after you have passed on, because of this beautiful, yet sorrowful track...
Thank you Phil... :-D.
In my memory I will always see
the town that I have loved so well
where our school played ball by the gas yard wall
and we laughed through the smoke and the smell
Going home in the rain, running up the dark lane,
past ther gaol (jail) and down behind the fountain,
those were happy days in so many, many ways
in the town I loved so well.
In the early morning, the shirt factory horn
callde women from Creggan, the moor and the bog
while their men on the dole played a mother's role
fed the children and then trained the dogs.
And when times got tough, there was just about enough
but they saw it through without complaining
for deep inside was a burning pride
in the town I loved so well
There was music there in the Derry air
like a language that we all could understand
I remember the day when I earned my first pay
when I played in a small pick-up band
there I spent my youth and to tell you the truth
I was sad to leave it all behind me
for I learned about life and I found a wife
in the town I loved so well
But when I returned how my eyes have burned
to see how a town could be brought to its knees
by the armoured cars and the bombed out bars
and the gas that hangs on to every breeze
Now the army's installed by the old gas yard wall
and the damded barbed wire gets higher and higher
with their tanks and their guns oh my God what have they done
to the town I loved so well
Now the music's gone but they carry on
for their spirit's been bruised, never broken
they will not forget but their hearts are set
on tomorrow and peace once again.
For what's done is done and what's won is won
and what's lost is lost and gone forever
I can only pray for a bright, brand new day
in the town I loved so well
I just love hearing the songs from Ireland. I feel so for the IRISH
The rawness in his voice when he sings "What's done is done, and what's won is won, and what's lost is lost and gone forever" gets me every single time.
Every time I hear this song I just want my grandad to pop up, he was a londonderry man. Miss you grandad
The most beautiful song ever written on the island of Ireland 🥃.
I challenge anybody to not wipe a tear from their eyes when they hear and understand this song. This song is so full of passion it makes my heart bleed, not just for the irish who suffered during the troubles but for anyone who is in a predicament that they can't control.
Easy. Just think of the sectarian slaughter of Londonderrys West side protestants by republicn thugs. Never Broken. No Surrender!!
@@gazzanorth4373 i can only hope for for a bright brand new day ...let it go brother..live in the present..we all got shit on 💚💚💚
Foul mouth , must be from markets area!
Don't forget the famine also I did the challenge no tears
@@ruthcarr2147 Please explain. Thanks.
This man is a genius. Ireland's greatest ever songwriter
Sometimes a man sees the beauty in the chaos.
Rarely can they relate what they have seen.
Only a precious few times has that been so well celebrated as this man and this song.
Still bringing tears in 2025
My 5 year old has to have this played to them before he goes to sleep. One of my dad's favourite songs too who passed away even just before he was born. Now my little boy sings it and always brings a tear yo my eye. X
Its in his blood. Like fathers like sons. Bless you and yours🍻
I have heard many Irishman sing this beautiful song however I feel this is your song, you sing it the best with so much love, I am just a 73yr old Aussie lady who enjoys this song daily. Thankyou for your inspiration 😅❤
The first time I have heard this, it’s a timeless classic !!!
I am a Greek who have been living in the U.K. the last 4 years.
That song touches my heart so much... and he sings it in a unique way. Much love to Irish people
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Yes, much love to the Irish people‼️ ♥️🥰♥️
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this is not merely a song,its a historical vista.
Great song. Humble man.
Phil really deserves much more credit. His song writing is up there with the VERY best in my opinion. Steal Away, The Old Man, Scorn Not His Simplicity, all classic meaningful timeless pieces of art. He's incredible. 🇮🇪🍀💚👌
Totally agree‼️
Phill also wrote songs for a good few and Bay City Rollers 1970s top hits.
Don’t forget ‘My Boy’ sang by Elvis
Not to mention "Saturday Night" which was huge here in America and is still popular
I heard the song on the radio and has to listen to it again. The lyrics and his emotional rendition just brought me to a very nostalgic and truly sad place for all of our towns, where ever we grew up. Those times are forever lost to a cold and indifferent world. I feel so much heartache for what our beautiful earth is turning into.
This bring a tear to my eye every time I hear it. I may be a Donegal man but Derry has a special place in my heart, it was were we went shopping, where I went to college, where I got my first job, where I learnt to drive. No one put the same feeling into the song as Phil Coulter does.
In tears
beautifully put , I think this version of it shows his heart and how he feels about his home town so deeply and I think we went to Donegal when we were in Ireland too it sounds familiar to me now I hear it..
My heart bleeding for Ireland. Bless all.
Did you shed a tear for the 20000 protestants forced out of the west side of Londonderry by republican bigots.... Didn't think so!!
so hard not to cry when you hear this beautiful beautiful song.I LOVE MY CITY
its such a true song i just hope that we find lasting peace in ireland some day there has been to much pain .
This is the most beautiful Irish song ive heard in a long time i spent my time living in Derry it brings back many memories Phil Coulter is a genious God Bless him❤❤.
Phil's rendition is great, with all the reflections of a writer in it, powerful in its gentleness.
Luke Kelly did a great job too, putting the intensity of his personal experiences into the song.
They both do a wonderful job with this song, but in different ways.
Id say my favourite song of all time. He's a genius
Since Mr Coulter was born in 1942, it's not about his childhood in the 70s, it's about his childhood in the 50s and the "troubles" in the 70s which virtually destroyed Derry or Londonderry depending on your conviction. A brilliant, heart rending narrative set to music.
We were picked up after school in 1986. Phil Coulter's sister was missing. We were all in a Cortina. A BMW passed us at top speed. The driver of the car we were in commentated, and put the foot down as he did so, to follow said BMW. Derry and Donegal in the 80s. May Phil Coulter's sister rest in peace, and watch over us.
They played this amazingly beautiful song in Belfast for when i was there visiting Friends when the awful conflict was on i choked up hearing this song yet again shed tears too of course I often still sing it in my mind it has stuck fast with me for decades thankyou very much you are a very talented person thankyou from Australia xxo
Beautiful Song. NO ONE can sing it with the feeling that Phil can .......
I have loved this song when I found it and always will
I cannot listen to this without crying.
Phil Coulter, I met you in Jade Palace on Lisburn Rd in 1985. I had played your music for years. You were doing a concert in Opera House shortly. You said you would play a request for me. Embarrassing, but it took my friend to speak to her friend in orchestra on concert night. You mentioned me in your dedications. She has now died of cancer. Have always been a big fan of your music. Lived in Lapland, played it when I was homesick. There's really no-one with your talent for writing a melody.
speachless no words this describe this man amazing voice well done Phil 👍🏻👍🏻
I just heard this song for the first time, and wow! Exceptional.
The best Irish folk song of all time.
Oh!
a very articulate song if you are irish you will know what it is all about for nanna mum and pop
as a Derryman all my life the words of this song strike a chord in my heart the song sums up Derry...those were the best of times
The pianist I enjoy most to listen to.
Always special to hear it sung by the composer...well done
Beautiful song, Phil Coulter legend
I cannot say that I'm very well versed in Irish history, but Phil Coulter has written a poignant and moving account that surely touches one's heart in a special way.
Thank you, Mr.Coulter for sharing this precious gift with others.
Harley Whitlock
Oh my God 🙏….This song has made me cry so hard! What a beautiful song with so much meaning.. You will so remembered for this song Phil Coulter… from a Corkonian
So so sad
A small capsule of the history of all Ireland
Phil Coulter is a treasure and a genius
As a former soldier in the province many years ago at the height of the troubles i was never so bigoted to not appreciate lovely Irish music.The song touches me and shows me the very streets i patrolled,peace to you all
Sharon Smith Sharon,nice too hear from you.If i could choose a place to live it would have been NI,not an option with my history,such a shame
bruce wilson Nice words Bruce. Thank you. I'm a former member of the Irish Defence Forces.
@@juicybrucey1 peace to you Mr Wilson. Thank you for a very welcome message. I hope this finds you and yours well. From a proud Derry man.
so hard not to cry when you hear this beautiful beautiful song
A beautifully written song, can't get much better that this tune.
This is a lovely song sung with passion about a man's hometown. I am not native to this divided island but am shocked at how fervent everyone's hatred is for one another and how eagerly we wish to kill one another. For me, this behaviour underscores the need to be more kind to one another. Like it or not, This is where you make your stand. We are all human and in the greater scale of things this is nothing. Have some respect and enjoy the music this man has created. Thank you Phil Coulter
I’m English and girlfriend is Irish . Love this song . Full of nostalgia, heartache, history and passion . Hopefully will be moving to Ireland 🇮🇪 later this year with her.
Beautiful place beautiful people good luck x
You should move to Northern Ireland. Lovely country🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧
My beautiful home town, grew up listening to this song everyday, my mother still plays it everyday til this day.. I've never listened to a song that hits me like this one, beautiful and explains Derry to the T. So proud to be from Derry 💚🧡🙏
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Lecky Rd Brandywell my family from now in the Creggan we recall first hearing this great song n touches our hearts n memories so much.
Beautiful Song! Thank you - more!!!
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Have been a fan since a child. Raised on his songs :) Absolute Legend. Eimear Bradley, Irish song-writer & violinist.
Music like this stirs something deep in my soul, and makes me proud of the Irish heritage on my mothers side of the family.
I've never been to Derry, but this is such a wonderful song, I get goosebumps whenever I listen to it. I once taught it at school in an English class, and years later I met one of the former students and he asked me especially about this song, because he wanted to do it with the choir he was in. Touching lyrics, beautiful tune, amazing song!
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You should go there. Great Town.❤
brilliant song, almost as good as "Puppet on a String" and "Congratulations", two other great songs which he will always be remembered by.
A sweet and tender song that pleads for calm and peace. I love it.
Not from Derry but live here and have being doing so for 17 years. This song makes me feel proud of the city and slightly emotional at the same time. Cracking tune
If you want the best rendition of this, go to the master, and the master just happens to be right here. Brilliant, Mr Coulter, absolutely brilliant. The words, the delivery, the emotion, the piano playing, the light background arrangement, the key change -- truly superb. Luke and Paddy may have given this more welly, but you give it immense heart, as only the actual composer can. Thank you.
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Amazing, the best song ever written.
My late wife ,Mandy, loved this ,Roswell flats ,her ground ,she lived through the troubles.and like many true Derry people laughed and smiled without complaint.
My lovel for all strong Derry women.
A song from the soul for the soul
"...of all the songs I have written, this is the one I'ld like to be remembered for."
I will remember you for this masterpiece, Phil.
Respect!
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One of my favourite songs ever written by Phil! I love it!
Me too‼️
Love this song by Phil...pretty sad but the song is loved..
He’s playing in Chicago tonight!
Beautiful. put a tear in my eye.
My family visited Derry a few years ago. We learned about it's history. We saw the Hands Across The Divide and the Friendship Bridge as well as the wall, the murals and the memorial to those who were killed. It's a beautiful city.
The song I love so well
My mother and all my family's from Derry. She loved this song. I have visited Derry several times but this song reminds me of her and the special times she had growing up.
Been to the northern part of Ireland, Donnegal. what a pity need a visa going to this place of brave Irish. The song resound the pain and dream of the Irish people. The dream that one day it will be returned in the Republic and its lovely brave people.
awesome!
Phil will be remembered mainly for this (and many other songs) as it is beautiful and because this made Luke Kelly weep.
what a legend, i absolutely love his style of piano, he os one of my biggest influences when writing piano music. Thank you Phil for inspiring me
Love this song. Taught myself to play it on the piano, from the sheet music of Phil's 'Tranquility' . Nobody plays it like him though :)
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my home town and a song that we learned in school as part of the curriculum in the 80's.
What a beautiful song. My parents and grandparents were from cork and tipperary. Love ireland and Irish music so much. I love listening to this song.just perfect. Xxx
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I love Derry my wee home town the best place on the earth ☺️
What a wonderful song, the lyrics are written so well. I understand that this song made Phil famous and now I know why. The High Kings do a marvelous job singing this song. MY GOD WHAT HAVE THEY DONE makes the tears flow!
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Tears for Ireland.
@@annefahy2370 no m I’m I’m I’m
I heard this on songs of praise just once loved it and lost it for many many years not knowing what it was called or who recorded it until I visited a friend whose dad was a music fanatic and found it for me. Robert Campbell's dad THANK YOU. It's a wonderful song no politics no history just a FANTASTIC SONG
My Grandparents and my Mom are from Derry and I can not wait to go some day. You know a song is powerful when it makes you feel nostalgic for a place you've never been to.
+Rachael Em I am from Germany and I feel nostalgic, whenever I hear this song. I want to visit this city, he has loved so well. This music is just so incredibly beautiful.
My Grandfather is also from Derry. This song hits home every time.
You'll love Derry
Londonderrys even nicer🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧
@@gazzanorth4373That's a bit outdated just like your royal family 🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪
Beautiful song and after visiting Derry it's even more beautiful!
A truly moving memior of a past era - Touching.
🍒 BloodRed.🍒
Pure magic is Phil Coulter!
I agree.
Phil brings more emotion to the song, more than Luke could, because HE had actually 'played ball by the old gas yard wall' and HE had seen 'it through without complaining'...
Anyone who is spreading hateful bullshit by commenting on this video has seriously missed the point of this beautiful song.
Good comment! Totally agree!
We will remember Phil for this song, but to be honest he never wrote a bad song, from Euro V right up to today, ur right Susan does a great version, but it is Derry song, and nobody can sing it like Phil, simply a genius, wish we heard more of him
phil is a great song writer musician and good bloke thanks old friend for the songs of yours i had the honour to record and the crac love and peace j vincent edwards and thanks for this great post
It would bring a tear to a glass eye
Lovely song.
One of the loveliest songs...
The best thing to come out of the troubles was the music that was sung about it, I think everybody would agree with that
He WILL always be remembered for this song. It makes my knees soft every time I hear it. Beautiful.
he is a genius!!!
Great stuff Phill Coulter! 'Scorn not his simplicity' is my pick as your best. Great talent and thanks!
The late great Luke Kelly
I've heard this song sung by Jim McCann, loved it, and love this version too! :D
One thing is for sure...for this Song he will be remembered
at least by me
It made my friends mother cry....so there must be a mass of truth and honest feelings in it
I thank him for making and GlasgowCeltic88 for uploading it ;)
Cheers
Sam
W.R. legend. ❤❤❤❤ overcome the worst of times...
Your my best friend.
This is so beautiful. Thanks for posting it!
Beautiful.
I'm learning, in my old age to play the piano. This lovely piece I think is in the key of GMajor. The view of the gate in the city walls, at the bottom of a steep hill, Shipquay Street, reminds me of a tale my grandfather told. One wintry day in the 1880s a heavy fall of snow turned the streets to ice. A young man jumped on his toboggan - or "sleigh" as we used to call them. at the top of Shipquay Street, and went so fast he couldn't stop, and landed in the river - the Foyle, just behind the Guildhall. As children of the 1950s, we were amazed there was no traffic!
Ian Donaldson
+I.L. Donaldson You've reminded me of a tongue-twister my mum (a Derry girl all her life in spite of years in England) used to say to us 'Shipquay Street's a slidey street to slide upon'. Well, it amused her. Aye surely.
great song ive had many family members in Derry and this song is the only one that hits dead on
I have a few of his cd's where he sings this sings this song himself - beautifull.
Great stuff .... Love it ! :)
my father (ronnie) loved this song rip dad xxxxxxxxx
love patsy x
1 word....AMAZING!!!!
Wonderful!
It's very important.
Derek, you speak for most of us too. Well done.