Phil Coulter performs 'The Town I Loved So Well' at The Hume/Trimble Tribute event Guildhall Derry

Phil Coulter is joined by the Ulster University Choir, conducted by Frank Gallagher

From the event:
Making Hope And History Rhyme - A Tribute to John Hume & David Trimble

Recorded at the Guildhall Derry/Londonderry on Tuesday 18 April 2023

Produced by Mike Edgar Production Ltd for Hume Foundation

[grahamwalsh]

I spoke with Phil a few months ago after his concert in Cork. He kindly autographed my sheet music of “The Town I Loved So Well” and was very interested how it played on the accordion. He’s an absolute gentleman and musical legend.

[GlynJones-gf]

Absolutely adore the passion the irish have for their country from a passionate welshman

[philpatton]

what a beautiful song insperational musician

[fredrikrugby]

That one thing that unites a people divided for centuries. As a Northern Ireland studies student I couldnt help but get emotional

[maryrobbie]

Happy St Patrick's Day everyone xx

[MrConan]

As a singer guitarist for over 60 years, to my shame I did not know much about Phil Coulter. Now, more recently, performing solo gigs I had a chap (now RIP) who performed this song. When he died I thought 'well, that's a good song, I will add it to my repertoire'. After a while I thought "I wonder who wrote that?" Up it came on Wiki and lead to all about Phil Coulter - my goodness indeed.

[maryrobbie]

i love Phil Coulter the town i loved so well always will be my favourite as i came from Derry xx

[richardcanning]

This brings back so many memories of visiting my granny’s in Derry so many years ago. We played this at my mum’s funeral. I still call it home no matter where I live ❤

[albertwong]

I chanced upon Mr Coulter’s album “Serenity” some 30+ years ago and I fell in love with his music since then. Me and my wife went his performance in Vancouver’s QE Theatre (in the 80’s?). He sang this song that night. I was almost moved to tears! That was a great night and we totally immersed ourselves in his musical performance. And one interesting thing to note: when I looked around the theatre that evening, me and my wife seemed to be the only two Asians in the audience! 😄

[fabiakev]

Phil is a true gentleman. Brilliant song

[mairemorris]

Wonderful rendering of his song! Little did I think that when Phil called into our house in Teelin in summer 1968, while waiting for afternoon tea which my Mammy had advertised at the gate, did I realise that this gentleman who played the piano was to become one of not only Derry‘s greatest and most famous men, but that I‘d be listening to him playing this wonderful song on You Tube in Germany where Ive lived f 48 yrs.. two of my brothers worked in the Great Southern Hotel in Bundoran that summer as barmen and Phil and his family were staying there so they did get to chat to him quite often..Though the Town I loved so well is so near my heart I‘m torn between that and his other powerful song: Scorn Not his Simplicity-especially when I heard him accompanying the late Sinéad Ó Connor in a tribute the week she died. Ireland can be so proud of our nation blessed with so many tremendous artists, not just in song and poetry like Séamas Heaney who also went to the same school as Hume and Coulter …but have given the world so many talented people! Keep it up Phil! Ádh mór ort! Máire Nic a Bháird 😊

[DaddyOneill-wm]

Irish man here friday 20/9/2024 sitting silent and listening to my country mens songs and at pure peace

[brendanmcnamara]

One of Derrys great heroes helped to keep it all together with his music song and his dedication
To its people through good and bad times. Respect

[michaelkastner]

I have been carrying very fond memories of this song with me for a long time. Not only has it been the first song written by an Irish songwriter I've heard about the age of fourteen, but the man who played it to me on his record player has ever since been deeply engraved in my memories by this song. That man and dear friend has passed away a long time ago but this song makes me feel like I'm fourteen again and I am being offered a cup of tea by him.

So please forgive me to make this such a personal affair which has got nothing to do with the meaning of the words being conveyed. If the place I was born had been given such a song I'd feel like a blessed person. Citizens of Derry, despite all the bad things that have happened to your place, you've been given this sad and yet hopeful piece of musical poetry.

I need to stop writing or I'll burst into tears of joy.

What a pleasure to see Phil Coulter still playing. It's been a true companion through tough and good times.

[ilPapadiBoulder]

I'm far from Derry. I'm from Lebanon. First time I heard this song, I melted and cried. It touched me deeply. Despite the Derry references, it applied to my town in Lebanon that I loved so well too. That's the genius of Phil Coulter and this song. ❤

[MaryMurphy-hd]

Phil coulter, what a proper gentleman

[Lavolanges]

I absolutely love this song. Introduced to it, strangely enough, by a folk singer/songwriter from Labrador, Canada, in the early 90s. It resonated with me and I’ve listened to several versions over the years, but this performance by Phil produced goosebumps and tears. He sings it from deep within his gut.

[jellybreath]

what a legend, and dedicated to the great john hume, a true man or ireland.

[damien]

That's hard to whack. What a man. Proud derry man.

[maureenmartin]

Great song but unfortunately so true😥let’s hope the past is that …..PAST PLEASE🍀thank you Phil❤