Mick reaches across borders with new single

Kilkenny-based folk singer-songwriter, Mick Citern Walsh, is back with a captivating new single that transcends borders and languages.

Drawing from the rich tapestry of folk music, the song tells a poignant story of pain and remembrance, shedding light on a dark chapter in history.

Titled "Scaip Fuil mo

Chomrádaí sa Feabhra," Mick's latest release is an Irish language rendition of the Bengali song "Amar Vaiyer Rokte Rangano."

Originally composed to commemorate International Mother Language Day in Bangladesh (February 21), this Irish version marks the 13th language in which the song has been recorded.

For Mick, the opportunity to contribute a rendition in his native language was an honour he couldn't refuse. e signi cance of the song resonated deeply with Mick, who recognised the parallel struggles historically faced by the Irish and Bengali communities. e song's roots lie in the protests against the Pakistani government's imposition of Urdu as the sole o cial language in East Pakistan, disregarding the Bengali-speaking majority.

Syad Rahman, a prominent gure in the Bangladesh Association of Ireland (B.A.I.) and the force behind the Bengali Cultural Festival in Kilkenny, approached Mick with the request.

In 1952, a tragic confrontation between protesting students and authorities resulted in the loss of lives and countless injuries. is event, now commemorated as Language Movement Day, ignited the ame of independence, ultimately leading to the birth of Bangladesh in 1971.

Mick's rendition of "Scaip Fuil mo Chomrádaí sa Feabhra" pays tribute to the sacri ces made by the Bengali students, drawing parallels with Ireland's own history. e song serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring power of language and the profound impact it can have on cultural identity.

Translated into Irish by Mick's old school friend, Tom O'Donoghue, this multilingual masterpiece exempli es the unifying force of music and the shared experiences that bind us across continents.