The votes are in.

Many thanks to everyone who entered last Friday’s music competition, even if an alarming number of you don’t appear to know the difference between a city and a country!

A shout out to ‘Ronnie’, who introduced us to the brilliant Beirut song and also to Brother and his very moving Iberian tale.

The winning entry is described in the comments below the YouTube video as “the most powerful anti-war song ever written”. I can’t disagree. It has a deep personal resonance for me as someone who had two grandfathers who both somehow survived the madness of the Great War. And the accompanying video is brilliantly edited.

So a worthy winner, Papi.

Third Place:

Postcards from Italy by Beirut

Ronnie writes:

“Beautiful, nostalgic, sing out out loud at the top of your voice. Great horn section and in these Covid times – a reminder of “the times we had” (opening line). Brilliant. I defy you not to like it.”

Runner-up:

Spanish Bombs by The Clash

Brother Barnabas writes:

“I’ve an attachment for lots of reasons to Andalucia – not least because I love the people. One of my favourites is an elderly neighbour called Paco. Chews his tobacco and doesn’t say much but, if you’re lucky, has the most knee-trembling stories of his time in the Spanish Civil War – and the bullet-hole scars in his belly to prove it.

“Last time I saw him, I was saying goodbye. We went for a drink. Apropos nothing, he borrowed a guitar from behind the bar and sang this – word perfect, though he doesn’t speak a word of English. Still haven’t figured out why but, listening to it, I couldn’t stop the tears.”

Winner:

The Green Fields of France by The Fureys & Davey Arthur

Papi writes:

“A song I think we’ve all learned through osmosis, at home, in pubs, everywhere a few drinks may have been had, but there’s always one who knows all the words, and everyone can join in.”

Nick says: Thanks all.

Last week: Win Nick’s PC Voucher