Singer tunes into mental health

Sinéad Smyth Murphy, 43, from Tassagh, who has personal experience of depression, said the song, entitled ‘Song within my Soul’ was written almost two years ago but the inspiration came a year prior to that when she had visited the Glens of Antrim.

The video, which accompanies the song, features people under umbrellas.

Sinead explained: “The significance of the umbrella is to do with someone giving me an umbrella since the weather was stormy and wet that day (at the Glens of Antrim) and I wanted to see the waterfalls and beauty around Waterfoot.

“I really appreciated the kindness of that stranger who took the time to talk to me and that meant a lot. And so my song was born.”

Sinead added she hopes the song, which is written in English and Irish, will bring comfort to others.

“It’s a story about hope: despite the darkness and despair described in the first verse.

“The person seeks support to get through a turbulent time and the dim light within them gets brighter.

“The last verse is almost an anthem or a mantra for her/him to repeat over and over.

“I know the theme of sheltering from a storm is used often in song writing but I feel that this has its own uniqueness especially since some of it is in Irish.

“There’s a new dimension to it and I sincerely hope that the words bring solace and comfort to anyone feeling alone and lost.”

The song is available on Bandcamp Amazon and I-Tunes for purchase and all money goes to PIPs Hope and Support and PIPS Upper Bann.

“Both charities cover the whole of the Southern trust area where I am from,” said Sinead.

“My reasons for fundraising for these charities range from personal experience of depression and knowing people who have died by suicide and also the need for the excellent work of these charities to continue and to ensure families know their services are available.”

Sinead added her “happiest and earliest memories” involve music and singing.

“I have no doubt that this gift bestowed on me is to be shared and its what keeps my light shining bright.

“We must remember that help is always close by and that the light within may seem like it has extinguished but there’s always a way to rekindle it and shine brighter than ever.”

*To listen to ‘Song within my Soul’ visit sineadmurphy.bandcamp.com

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers — and consequently the revenue we receive — we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to newsletter.co.uk and enjoy unlimited access to the best Northern Ireland and UK news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.

Alistair Bushe

Editor