THERE will be a rare opportunity to experience the songs and storytelling of Tommy Sands as he reprises his multi-media show, Ballad of a Songman, based on his autobiography, in Bangor this weekend.
Sands returns to perform at Bangor Abbey as part of this year’s Journey of a Single Day events in the town which celebrate the life and legacy of Saint Columbanus.
Born around 540 CE, Columbanus was one of the most influential spiritual and cultural figures of the early Middle Ages and one whose legacy has lived on since. In 591 CE, he sailed from Bangor with 12 companions, founding communities and monasteries across Europe.
Sands is particularly delighted to take part in the Journey of a Single Day Festival as two of his own uncles, Hugh and Tom, were Columban missionaries.
"There were many monks came out of Bangor that had a huge influence in Europe. My uncle Hugh Sands was a prisoner in communist China and I speak about it in the show," says Sands.
Ballad of a Songman was put together in collaboration with Belfast playwright Martin Lynch and comprises storytelling, childhood video archives, stories, poetry, philosophy, politics, comedy, and of course the great trademark Tommy Sands songbook.
"It's about the people that influenced and inspired me. It's about what happened along the road and on each side of the hedge," says the 70-year-old about his theatrical music event.
Born into a musical family in the foothills of the Mourne Mountains in Co Down, Sands went on to perform all over the world. He also became admired for his political activism and humanitarian work, at home with regard to the north's Troubles and abroad, for example in the prisons of Nevada.
Sands, who initially attended college to study theology and philosophy, before dropping out to concentrate on being part of the Sands Family band, simply says of his musical achievements: "We never planned it."
"We played mainly at home and in parish halls before winning a folk competition that would lead us to New York's Carneige Hall. It's been a tremendous journey," he says.
Of course there have been many ups and downs, which Sands documents in his poetry and songwriting throughout his show – from the death of his brother Eugene during a tour of Germany to reflections on performing in Madison Square Gardens, New York in 2009 for his friend Pete Seeger's 90th birthday.
"It was a wonderful night. I was sitting in my dressing room speaking with actor Tim Robbins of The Shawshank Redemption fame who was MC. I asked him when we were on and he replied: "I guess you are on after Kris Kristofferson and before Bruce Springstein. It was the greatest birthday party ever," adds Sands, who is planning an American tour next February.
Currently touring in Norway, I spoke to the Mayobridge man the day following Donald Trump's victory in the US elections and he was in a reflective mood.
"I just visited the Nobel Peace Centre in Oslo to take in the vibes of the place after the viciousness of the election in the States. A lot of Americans in there too trying to come to terms with the different reality. I think the result touches on something a lot of us have missed – a lot of people feel left out. And if people don't feel they belong they look for something else."
When it comes to the song that he regards as his most powerful, he chooses There Were Roses, which recounts how a Protestant friends of Sands was murdered in Newry by republican paramilitaries and how a Catholic friend of the victim was ironically killed in retaliation. "It was written for a small townland, but universality was found in the song," he says.
Other events taking place this weekend to commemorate St Columbanus include lectures, documentary screening and an ecumenical service.
:: Tommy Sands The Ballad of a Songman will be performed at Bangor Abbey on November 19 at 8pm. Tickets priced £10 are available from Bangor Visitor Information Centre, or online at www.ticketsource.co.uk/ardsandnorthdown. For more information on the weekends programme see visitardsandnorthdown.com.
