"Across the Bridge of Hope" - Various Artists

Compilation Album

U2 Related Songs:

"Please" (Single Version) - U2 (05:49)

Full Track Listing:

“The Cure at Troy” – Liam Neeson
“Chiquitita” – Sinead O’Connor
“Sunrise” – The Divine Comedy
“Words” – Boyzone
“What Can I Do?” – The Corrs
“Beyond the Great Divide” – Daniel O’Donnell
“The Healing Game” (Alternate Acoustic Version) – Van Morrison
“I’m Gonna Fall” – Ash
“Please” – U2
“Broken Things” – Juliet Turner
“The Island” – Paul Brady
“The Bridge” – Liam Neeson
“Across the Bridge of Hope” – Omagh Community Youth Choir
“Silent Night” – Enya

Background Information

On August 15, 1988, a car bomb exploded in Omagh, killing 29, and wounding over two hundred others. The bomb was set off by the IRA. It was the deadliest attack in the Troubles in Ireland. This album was put together in the memory of thirty people who lost their lives in the attack, the 29 killed in the explosion, and one who had died in a fatal crash caused by the bombing. The funds raised by the album were used to the benefit of those who had died, and their relatives and dependents, as well as others adversely affected in the bombing. Only the cost of manufacturing, marketing, and administration were not donated to the campaign, and the artists all donated their royalties from the album.

U2 donated the single version of “Please” to the album. This isn’t the version found on the Pop album, but the later version they had re-recorded for the album. Although the recording is the same, this is a slightly different master of the song. The whole album has been remastered by Robin Robyns at Mid Atlantic Digital, and it is mostly levels that have been changed. The song increases in volume sooner at the end, and stays louder throughout the end of the song.

The name of the album comes from a line in a poem written by 12 year old Sean McLaughlin, one of those killed in the explosion. Liam Neeson recites the poem on the album, as well as Seamus Heaney’s “The Cure at Troy”.

The album was released on CD and cassette.

Liner Notes

Please:
Music by U2. Lyrics by Bono & The Edge.

Artwork

Design and Art Direction: Plan b
Calligraphy: Carol Kemp
Bridge Photography: Richard Haughton
Portrait Photography: Matt Harris