Tommy Sands (Irish folk singer)
Encyclopedia
Tommy Sands Mayobridge
, County Down
, Northern Ireland
, is a folk singer
, song writer, radio broadcaster, and political activist. He performs with his 3 siblings as The Sands Family; solo as Tommy Sands; and with his son and daughter as Tommy Sands with Moya and Fionán Sands. Tommy was the prime song-writer for the 'Sands Family', one of Ireland's most influential folk groups of the 1960s and '70s.
Tommy Sands has hosted Country Ceili, a radio show on Downtown Radio
in Newtownards
since 1976.
In May 2002 he received an Honorary Doctorate
from The University of Nevada, Reno
for his outstanding work as musician and ambassador for peace and understanding.
His song There Were Roses has been described as "... certainly one of the best songs ever written about the "Irish Problem
"". The song recounts how Allan Bell (name changed), a Protestant friend of Sands, was murdered in Newry
by republican paramilitaries. In the aftermath loyalist paramilitaries "prowled round the Ryan Road" for a Catholic
to kill in retaliation; ironically, the man they selected, Sean O'Malley (name changed), had been a good friend of the Protestant victim and also of Sands.
of Ryan, near Mayobridge
, County Down
, Northern Ireland
. His parents, Mick and Bridie, both came from families of singers, musicians and storytellers and encouraged a love of Irish culture and tradition in their seven children (Mary, the eldest, then Hugh, Ben, Colum
, Eugene and Anne.) . His father Mick (known to all as 'The Chief') and six uncles played the fiddle. Bridie, an accordionist, is the daughter of 'Burren poet', Owen Connolly, and her mother was related to the Brontë
family. Their Céilidh house
on the Ryan Road, in the foothills of the Mourne Mountains, was a focal point for Catholic
and Protestant neighbours from nearby farms to enjoy music and Craic.
The Sands Family (Tommy, Eugene, Ben, Colum and Anne) started public performing in local halls and pubs, then they won a 'Folk Group' contest in "Old Shieling Hotel" in Raheny
, Dublin. This led to a three-week booking in New York
in early 1971 (or 1970) followed by further tours in the USA and Canada. They also performed a St Patrick's Day concert appearance in Carnegie Hall
.
Sands initially attended college to study theology and philosophy, but 'dropped out' and began to walk the 120 miles home to concentrate on his music career. Along the way a car filled with his siblings picked him up to perform at a concert.
Their 35 year touring career includes regular tours throughout continental Europe, especially Germany, plus the UK, and Ireland. One notable highlight was performing in Moscow
's Luzhniki 'Olympic' Stadium
, Tommy was the prime songwriter with the Sands Family, whose repertoire largely consists of their own compositions plus traditional Irish songs.
During the 1975 'Sands Family' tour of Germany Tommy's brother Eugene was killed in a road accident, 'Dino' played banjo and mandolin.
Since the early 2000s the Sands Family have restricted touring to an annual tour of Germany and Ireland.
In September 2008 Tommy Sand was invited to perform at the Library of Congress
with his daughter Moya and son Fionan, as part of the Rediscover Northern Ireland Program. The event was co-sponsored by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland
and the American Folklife Center
.
, The Shadow of O'Casey with Shivaun O'Casey, the daughter of playwright Sean O'Casey
.
Tommy Sands has hosted Country Ceili, a radio show on Downtown Radio in Belfast since 1976 (or August 1977).
In 2005 he published his autobiography, The Songman – A Journey in Irish Music.
in August 1986, Sands organised a "Citizen's Assembly" which included many of Ulster's top artists and literary figures.
In June 2010 Sands accepted the invitation of Palestinian and Israeli activists conducting a joint campaign at the neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah
in East Jerusalem, to come and perform at a rally held to protest extreme right Israeli settlers evicting Palestinian Sheikh Jarrah residents and taking over their homes.
for his outstanding work as musician and ambassador for peace and understanding. May 18 has been proclaimed Tommy Sands Day in Reno
.
In December 2002 Sands persuaded the Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly
to record a special 'Christmas musical party' for his weekly radio show. As many Members sang with him on stage David Ervine
, the leader of the Loyalist
s remarked Tommy Sands is the only man, without a private army, who can intimidate me. The radio show received a special award at the "World Festival of TV and Radio" in New York.
with his French
wife Catherine. They have 2 children, Moya and Fionan, with whom Tommy now performs.
Mayobridge
Mayobridge is an area within Newry, County Down, Northern Ireland. It is located within the Newry and Mourne District Council area. It had a population of 842 people in the 2001 Census.-People :...
, County Down
County Down
-Cities:*Belfast *Newry -Large towns:*Dundonald*Newtownards*Bangor-Medium towns:...
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
, is a folk singer
Folk Singer
Folk Singer is a 1964 album by Muddy Waters. Waters plays acoustic guitar, backed by Willie Dixon on string bass, Clifton James on drums, and Buddy Guy on acoustic guitar...
, song writer, radio broadcaster, and political activist. He performs with his 3 siblings as The Sands Family; solo as Tommy Sands; and with his son and daughter as Tommy Sands with Moya and Fionán Sands. Tommy was the prime song-writer for the 'Sands Family', one of Ireland's most influential folk groups of the 1960s and '70s.
Tommy Sands has hosted Country Ceili, a radio show on Downtown Radio
Downtown Radio
Downtown Radio is an Adult Contemporary music radio station based in Newtownards, County Down, that serves all of Northern Ireland using a network of FM and AM transmitters.- History :...
in Newtownards
Newtownards
Newtownards is a large town in County Down, Northern Ireland. It lies at the most northern tip of Strangford Lough, 10 miles east of Belfast, on the Ards Peninsula. Newtownards is the largest town in the Borough of Ards. According to the 2001 Census, it has a population of 27,821 people in...
since 1976.
In May 2002 he received an Honorary Doctorate
Honorary degree
An honorary degree or a degree honoris causa is an academic degree for which a university has waived the usual requirements, such as matriculation, residence, study, and the passing of examinations...
from The University of Nevada, Reno
University of Nevada, Reno
The University of Nevada, Reno , is a teaching and research university established in 1874 and located in Reno, Nevada, USA...
for his outstanding work as musician and ambassador for peace and understanding.
His song There Were Roses has been described as "... certainly one of the best songs ever written about the "Irish Problem
The Troubles
The Troubles was a period of ethno-political conflict in Northern Ireland which spilled over at various times into England, the Republic of Ireland, and mainland Europe. The duration of the Troubles is conventionally dated from the late 1960s and considered by many to have ended with the Belfast...
"". The song recounts how Allan Bell (name changed), a Protestant friend of Sands, was murdered in Newry
Newry
Newry is a city in Northern Ireland. The River Clanrye, which runs through the city, formed the historic border between County Armagh and County Down. It is from Belfast and from Dublin. Newry had a population of 27,433 at the 2001 Census, while Newry and Mourne Council Area had a population...
by republican paramilitaries. In the aftermath loyalist paramilitaries "prowled round the Ryan Road" for a Catholic
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
to kill in retaliation; ironically, the man they selected, Sean O'Malley (name changed), had been a good friend of the Protestant victim and also of Sands.
Early life and career
Tommy Sands was born on the family farm on the 'Ryan Road' in the townlandTownland
A townland or bally is a small geographical division of land used in Ireland. The townland system is of Gaelic origin—most townlands are believed to pre-date the Norman invasion and most have names derived from the Irish language...
of Ryan, near Mayobridge
Mayobridge
Mayobridge is an area within Newry, County Down, Northern Ireland. It is located within the Newry and Mourne District Council area. It had a population of 842 people in the 2001 Census.-People :...
, County Down
County Down
-Cities:*Belfast *Newry -Large towns:*Dundonald*Newtownards*Bangor-Medium towns:...
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
. His parents, Mick and Bridie, both came from families of singers, musicians and storytellers and encouraged a love of Irish culture and tradition in their seven children (Mary, the eldest, then Hugh, Ben, Colum
Colum Sands (Irish songwriter)
Colum Sands is an Irish singer songwriter who made his first performances and recordings with The Sands Family of County Down. Between his extensive solo appearances he continues to record and perform with his brothers Tommy and Ben and his sister Anne in the family band.Following appearances...
, Eugene and Anne.) . His father Mick (known to all as 'The Chief') and six uncles played the fiddle. Bridie, an accordionist, is the daughter of 'Burren poet', Owen Connolly, and her mother was related to the Brontë
Brontë
The Brontës were a nineteenth-century literary family associated with Haworth in the West Riding of Yorkshire, England. The sisters, Charlotte , Emily , and Anne , are well-known as poets and novelists...
family. Their Céilidh house
Céilidh
In modern usage, a céilidh or ceilidh is a traditional Gaelic social gathering, which usually involves playing Gaelic folk music and dancing. It originated in Ireland, but is now common throughout the Irish and Scottish diasporas...
on the Ryan Road, in the foothills of the Mourne Mountains, was a focal point for Catholic
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
and Protestant neighbours from nearby farms to enjoy music and Craic.
The Sands Family (Tommy, Eugene, Ben, Colum and Anne) started public performing in local halls and pubs, then they won a 'Folk Group' contest in "Old Shieling Hotel" in Raheny
Raheny
Raheny is a northern suburb of Dublin, the capital city of Ireland. It is an old area, centred around an old village, and is referenced back to 570 AD but after years of light settlement, with a main village and a coastal hamlet, grew rapidly in the 20th century, and is now a mid-density...
, Dublin. This led to a three-week booking in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
in early 1971 (or 1970) followed by further tours in the USA and Canada. They also performed a St Patrick's Day concert appearance in Carnegie Hall
Carnegie Hall
Carnegie Hall is a concert venue in Midtown Manhattan in New York City, United States, located at 881 Seventh Avenue, occupying the east stretch of Seventh Avenue between West 56th Street and West 57th Street, two blocks south of Central Park....
.
Sands initially attended college to study theology and philosophy, but 'dropped out' and began to walk the 120 miles home to concentrate on his music career. Along the way a car filled with his siblings picked him up to perform at a concert.
Their 35 year touring career includes regular tours throughout continental Europe, especially Germany, plus the UK, and Ireland. One notable highlight was performing in Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
's Luzhniki 'Olympic' Stadium
Luzhniki Stadium
The Grand Sports Arena of the Luzhniki Olympic Complex in Moscow, or briefly Luzhniki Stadium , is the biggest sports stadium in Russia. Its total seating capacity is 78,360 seats, all covered. The stadium is a part of the Luzhniki Olympic Complex, previously called the Central Lenin Stadium...
, Tommy was the prime songwriter with the Sands Family, whose repertoire largely consists of their own compositions plus traditional Irish songs.
During the 1975 'Sands Family' tour of Germany Tommy's brother Eugene was killed in a road accident, 'Dino' played banjo and mandolin.
Since the early 2000s the Sands Family have restricted touring to an annual tour of Germany and Ireland.
In September 2008 Tommy Sand was invited to perform at the Library of Congress
Library of Congress
The Library of Congress is the research library of the United States Congress, de facto national library of the United States, and the oldest federal cultural institution in the United States. Located in three buildings in Washington, D.C., it is the largest library in the world by shelf space and...
with his daughter Moya and son Fionan, as part of the Rediscover Northern Ireland Program. The event was co-sponsored by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland
Arts Council of Northern Ireland
The Arts Council of Northern Ireland is the lead development agency for the arts in Northern Ireland....
and the American Folklife Center
American Folklife Center
The American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress in Washington, DC was created by Congress in 1976 "to preserve and present American Folklife" . The center includes the Archive of Folk Culture, established at the Library in 1928 as a repository for American folk music...
.
The Sands Family recordings
- Hope is in The Morning - Recorded "live" in RavensburgRavensburgRavensburg is a town in Upper Swabia in Southern Germany, capital of the district of Ravensburg, Baden-Württemberg.Ravensburg was first mentioned in 1088. In the Middle Ages, it was an Imperial Free City and an important trading centre...
and ObingObingObing is a municipality in the district of Traunstein in Bavaria, Germany....
, Germany in January 2000.
- Folk from the Mournes (1968) Outlet OAS 3004 (Ireland)
- First day and the second day, Autogram FLLP 501 (Germany)
- The third Day, Autogram ALLP\233 (Germany)
- As I roved out. Arfolk SB343 (France)
- Winds of Freedom. Pläne S16F600 (Germany)
- Now and Then. SLP1O8 (Ireland)
- Winds Are Singing Freedom & Love (1993) (or 1998?)
- Sands Family At Home. Autogram ALLP 294
- Tell me what you see. Pläne 88303 (Germany)
- Real Irish Folk. Emerald GES 1201 (Decca Ireland)
- You'll be well looked after (1975). Leaf 7005 EMI (Ireland)
- Folk from the Mournes (1997)
- Collection by The Sands Family (1998)
- After the MorningAfter the Morning (The Sands Family album)-Personnel:The Sands Family*Tommy Sands – vocals, guitar, five-strings banjo*Anne Sands – vocals, bodhran*Ben Sands – vocals, guitar, mandolin, tin whistle, fiddles, sitar, viola...
(1976). Leaf 7012 EMI (Ireland)
- Sands Family "Live". Pläne S16F601 (Germany)
- High Hills and Valleys, Pläne 88206 (Germany)
- Sands Family Collection. Spring Records (Ireland)
- Keep On Singing the latest album
Solo recordings
- Singing of the Times (1985). This included both Daughters and Sons and the iconic ballad There Were Roses about the murders of two of his friends. This has been recorded by Joan BaezJoan BaezJoan Chandos Baez is an American folk singer, songwriter, musician and a prominent activist in the fields of human rights, peace and environmental justice....
, Kathy Matthea, Dolores KeaneDolores KeaneDolores Keane is an Irish folk singer and occasional actress. She was a founding member of the successful group De Dannan, and has since embarked on a very successful solo career, establishing herself as one of the most loved interpreters of Irish song.-Background:Keane was born in a small village...
, Sean KeaneSean KeaneSeán Keane may refer to:*Seán Keane , fiddle player of The Chieftains*Seán Keane , Irish folk singer; brother of singer Dolores Keane...
, Frank PattersonFrank PattersonFrank Patterson was an internationally renowned Irish tenor following in the tradition of singers such as Count John McCormack and Josef Locke. He was known as "Ireland's Golden Tenor".- Early life :...
, Dick GaughanDick GaughanRichard Peter Gaughan usually known as Dick Gaughan is a Scottish musician, singer, and songwriter, particularly of folk and social protest songs.-Early years:...
, The DublinersThe DublinersThe Dubliners are an Irish folk band founded in 1962.-Formation and history:The Dubliners, initially known as "The Ronnie Drew Ballad Group", formed in 1962 and made a name for themselves playing regularly in O'Donoghue's Pub in Dublin...
, Cara DillonCara DillonCara Dillon is an Irish folk singer. In 2001, she launched her career as a solo artist in the UK with the eponymous Cara Dillon album...
and many others. It has also been translated into many languages and is currently included in the English language syllabus in German secondary schools.
- Down by Bendy's Lane: Irish Songs and Stories for Children (1988). Tommy's young children Fionán and Moya, were amongst the performers. Included 'Tell me a story'; 'Art'; 'Neart and Ceart'; 'Fair Rosa'; 'Bonnie wee house of Iveagh'; 'Banana song'; 'Story of Willie Brennan'; 'Down by Bendy's Lane'; 'Ceann Mor'; 'The old sow'; 'Moya is my darling'; 'Night night sleep tight and Einini'.
- Hedges of County Down (1989) featured traditional Irish material including 'The hedges of Co Down'; 'The maid of Ballydoo'; 'Lovely Irish maid'; 'Twa corbies'; 'Age of twenty one'; 'Reilly from Co Cavan'; 'Ballynure Ballad'; 'Star of the Co Down'; 'Si do mhaigh mo i'; 'Boys of Mullaghbawn'; 'The Granemore hare'; 'Dunn'; 'Paddy's green shamrock shore'.
- Beyond the Shadows (1990), featured his own material including 'The County Down'; 'Shadow of O'Casey'; 'Dresden'; 'We will rise again'; 'Flower of Fiddlers Green'; 'When the boys come rolling home'; '1999'; 'The clown'; 'No sleep tonight'; 'Red wine'; 'Home away from home'; 'Make me want to stay'.
- The Heart's a Wonder (1995), included 'The music of healing' (with Pete Seeger); 'Who knows where the wind blows'; 'Sudako' (and the paper cranes); 'The age of uncertainty'; 'Irish Molly-o' (the sash); 'Back to school again'; 'Short cut through the fields' (with Dolores Keane); 'The day we won the All Ireland'; 'I hate to hear people cry'; 'A little bit more'; 'Sailing through the sky'; 'Goodbye love'; 'There's no one leaving'. The Music of Healing, which was co-written with American folk singer Pete SeegerPete SeegerPeter "Pete" Seeger is an American folk singer and was an iconic figure in the mid-twentieth century American folk music revival. A fixture on nationwide radio in the 1940s, he also had a string of hit records during the early 1950s as a member of The Weavers, most notably their recording of Lead...
became an anthem for a the Northern Ireland "Citizen's Assembly". It was also the first collaboration with cellist Vedran SmailovicVedran SmailovicVedran Smailović , known as the "Cellist of Sarajevo", is a musician from Bosnia and Herzegovina, and a former cellist in the Sarajevo String Quartet....
from SarajevoSarajevoSarajevo |Bosnia]], surrounded by the Dinaric Alps and situated along the Miljacka River in the heart of Southeastern Europe and the Balkans....
.
- To Shorten the Winter, 'Like the first time it's Christmas time', 'Down by the Laganside', 'The Bushes of Jerusalem', 'Whiter Shade of Pale', 'Hearts of Love', 'A Christmas Childhood/ a call to hope', 'Welcome here kind stranger', 'Raglan Road', 'Slainte mhaith'/the cat in the attic, 'Let me be your island', 'The mixed marriage', 'Matt Hyland', 'Slan Abhaile'.
- Where Have All the Flowers Gone: The Songs of Pete Seeger. (1997) included both Vedran SmailovićVedran SmailovicVedran Smailović , known as the "Cellist of Sarajevo", is a musician from Bosnia and Herzegovina, and a former cellist in the Sarajevo String Quartet....
and Dolores KeaneDolores KeaneDolores Keane is an Irish folk singer and occasional actress. She was a founding member of the successful group De Dannan, and has since embarked on a very successful solo career, establishing herself as one of the most loved interpreters of Irish song.-Background:Keane was born in a small village...
on the title track.
- Let the Circle Be Wide including 'Young Man's Dream' (Danny Boy), 'The Song Sings On' (Ballad of Tommy MakemTommy MakemThomas "Tommy" Makem was an internationally celebrated Irish folk musician, artist, poet and storyteller. He was best known as a member of The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem. He played the long-necked 5-string banjo, guitar, tin whistle, and bagpipes, and sang in a distinctive baritone...
), 'The People Have Spoken', 'You Will Never Grow Old', 'Send for Maguire', 'Keep On Singing', 'A Stor Mo Chroi', 'Rovers of Wonder', 'Make Those Dreams Come True', 'Ballyvalley Brae', 'Time for Asking Why', 'Fields of Daisies', 'Rambling Wild and Free', 'Carlingford Bay', 'Let the Circle be Wide',
Other work
Sands co-wrote the stage musicalMusical theatre
Musical theatre is a form of theatre combining songs, spoken dialogue, acting, and dance. The emotional content of the piece – humor, pathos, love, anger – as well as the story itself, is communicated through the words, music, movement and technical aspects of the entertainment as an...
, The Shadow of O'Casey with Shivaun O'Casey, the daughter of playwright Sean O'Casey
Seán O'Casey
Seán O'Casey was an Irish dramatist and memoirist. A committed socialist, he was the first Irish playwright of note to write about the Dublin working classes.- Early life:...
.
Tommy Sands has hosted Country Ceili, a radio show on Downtown Radio in Belfast since 1976 (or August 1977).
In 2005 he published his autobiography, The Songman – A Journey in Irish Music.
Peace campaigning
In Belfast, during the depths of The TroublesThe Troubles
The Troubles was a period of ethno-political conflict in Northern Ireland which spilled over at various times into England, the Republic of Ireland, and mainland Europe. The duration of the Troubles is conventionally dated from the late 1960s and considered by many to have ended with the Belfast...
in August 1986, Sands organised a "Citizen's Assembly" which included many of Ulster's top artists and literary figures.
In June 2010 Sands accepted the invitation of Palestinian and Israeli activists conducting a joint campaign at the neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah
Sheikh Jarrah
Sheikh Jarrah is a predominantly Palestinian neighborhood in East Jerusalem on the road to Mount Scopus.-History:Sheikh Jarrah was established on the slopes of Mount Scopus, taking its name from the tomb of Sheikh Jarrah. The tomb, dated to 1201, is the burial place of Husam al-Din al-Jarrahi, an...
in East Jerusalem, to come and perform at a rally held to protest extreme right Israeli settlers evicting Palestinian Sheikh Jarrah residents and taking over their homes.
Awards, quotes and celebrations
In May 2002 Sands received an honorary doctorate of Letters from The University of NevadaUniversity of Nevada, Reno
The University of Nevada, Reno , is a teaching and research university established in 1874 and located in Reno, Nevada, USA...
for his outstanding work as musician and ambassador for peace and understanding. May 18 has been proclaimed Tommy Sands Day in Reno
Reno
Reno is the fourth most populous city in Nevada, US.Reno may also refer to:-Places:Italy*The Reno River, in Northern ItalyCanada*Reno No...
.
In December 2002 Sands persuaded the Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly
Northern Ireland Assembly
The Northern Ireland Assembly is the devolved legislature of Northern Ireland. It has power to legislate in a wide range of areas that are not explicitly reserved to the Parliament of the United Kingdom, and to appoint the Northern Ireland Executive...
to record a special 'Christmas musical party' for his weekly radio show. As many Members sang with him on stage David Ervine
David Ervine
David Ervine was a Northern Irish politician and the leader of the Progressive Unionist Party .-Biography:...
, the leader of the Loyalist
Loyalist
In general, a loyalist is someone who maintains loyalty to an established government, political party, or sovereign, especially during war or revolutionary change. In modern English usage, the most common application is to loyalty to the British Crown....
s remarked Tommy Sands is the only man, without a private army, who can intimidate me. The radio show received a special award at the "World Festival of TV and Radio" in New York.
Personal life
Tommy Sands currently lives in RostrevorRostrevor
Rostrevor is a village in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is within the Newry and Mourne District Council area. It lies at the foot of Slieve Martin on the coast of Carlingford Lough. The Kilbroney River flows through the village....
with his French
French people
The French are a nation that share a common French culture and speak the French language as a mother tongue. Historically, the French population are descended from peoples of Celtic, Latin and Germanic origin, and are today a mixture of several ethnic groups...
wife Catherine. They have 2 children, Moya and Fionan, with whom Tommy now performs.
Further reading
- The Songman – A Journey in Irish Music by Tommy Sands. (2005)
- Tommy Sands songbook Published by Elm Grove Music, 50 Shore Road, Rostrevor, Co Down, BT34 3AA, N. Ireland.