Love song that lay undiscovered in dusty attic released by Donaghmore musician

The story of how lyrics penned by a Donaghmore singer's late mother at the tender age of 17, were discovered hidden away in a dusty attic, is worthy of any Hollywood script.
By The Newsroom
Published 12th Feb 2016, 17:03 BST
Updated 17th Feb 2016, 07:39 BST
David McCrory with his sisters Rachel, Emma and Rebecca, at the BBC Radio Ulster studios in Belfast with broadcaster Gerry KellyDavid McCrory with his sisters Rachel, Emma and Rebecca, at the BBC Radio Ulster studios in Belfast with broadcaster Gerry Kelly
David McCrory with his sisters Rachel, Emma and Rebecca, at the BBC Radio Ulster studios in Belfast with broadcaster Gerry Kelly

Songwriter David McCrory unearthed the heartfelt words of his mother Geraldine - who died aged just 36 leaving a large family behind her - a few years ago, but they have only recently been recorded by him and were today broadcast on BBC Radio Ulster.

David was accompanied on the live broadcast by sisters Rebecca on fiddle and Rachel (Molloy) on vocals.

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The trio travelled to the BBC studios in Belfast today, Friday, along with another sister Emma (Heatherington, a novellist and scriptwriter), and the song was aired publicly for the first time.

The late Geraldine McCrory performing in Oliver many years agoThe late Geraldine McCrory performing in Oliver many years ago
The late Geraldine McCrory performing in Oliver many years ago

Emma explained the day was an emotional tribute to their mum as the family approaches the 25th anniversary of her death this year.

The renowned singer, who had six children from the ages of 15 to eight months with her husband Hugh, was laid to rest on Hugh’s 41st birthday in 1991.

“Mummy will be 25 years dead in May, so it is very fitting that David is releasing the song at this time”, Emma continued.

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“David found the words to the song, What is Love?, in an old notebook in the attic about two or three years ago, but had never showed us. So when he sang the song for us, it was just one of those ‘wow’ moments.

The late Geraldine McCrory performing in Oliver many years agoThe late Geraldine McCrory performing in Oliver many years ago
The late Geraldine McCrory performing in Oliver many years ago

“We didn’t get very long with mummy, so to see this notebook which has her feelings and part of her in it, is just beautiful. We found that her handwriting is so similar to all of ours, so even just to see that is wonderful.”

David is fast becoming a well known face on the local music scene, performing with the band Daybreak and closely associated with the Bardic Theatre Donaghmore’s many shows.

He plans to have a special launch event for the song, which is part of a three-track EP recorded at the Dungannon studios owned by Plunkett McComb, in the near future.

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Music and a love of performing are clearly traits which Geraldine has passed down to her children, with Rachel having been involved with the country band Rodeo, and Rebecca playing violin with the Ulster Orchestra in her school days and currently teaching music.

Dad Hugh listened to the BBC broadcast while at work today and, according to Emma, was “proud as punch”.

“It was very moving and emotional”, Emma said of the broadcast.

“We are really looking forward to David launching the EP, which is called Transcripts, the title Mummy gave to her notebook. It will be a lovely way for us to remember her as her 25th anniversary approaches.”

You can listen to the McCrory family and their BBC Radio Ulster interview by clicking the following link: https://www.periscope.tv/w/1djxXzbwVqPGZ

Related topics:Hollywood