Richard Moore with the Dalai Lama during a previous visit to Derry by the Tibetan spiritual leader
The ballad, written in the English folk music tradition by award-singing folk singer/writer Sean Cooney, will be given its first public airing on BBC Radio 4 this Thursday.
As a ten-year-old on May 4, 1972, Mr Moore was hit by a rubber bullet which left him completely blind. However, he refused to allow the handicap to hold him back and has led a complete and full life.
Following a successful business career, he established the Children in Crossfire charity to help vulnerable children across the world. Before lockdown, he frequently travelled around the world to see first hand the projects the charity was assisting.
He has owned a bar, been a director of Derry City football club, played as a successful musician and, more recently, established the North of Ireland’s biggest community radio station, Drive 105.
In 2006, he met ‘Charles’ the soldier who fired the rubber bullet which changed his life and the two have become firm friends.
The Dalai Lama, who is also a friend, has described the Derry man as his “hero”.
The song was written for the BBC Radio 4 programme ‘A Life in Song’ which examines the process of song writing.
Writer, Cooney – who sings with English folk outfit The Young’uns – talks through the challenge of approaching the subject of one of his songs before it writing it.
Cooney’s song recalls Mr Moore’s childhood in Creggan including the killing of his uncle, Gerard on Bloody Sunday.
Richard Moore after he was blinded with rubber bullet
The lyrics reflect Mr Moore’s attitude to his blindness.
“I was only ten, I’d all my life to live/From the moment I was blinded, I was ready to forgive.”
The song recalls his forgiveness of Charles with Mr Moore’s own often quoted words “Forgiveness was the gift that came and gave itself to me.”
Mr Moore said he was overwhelmed and wept on first hearing the song.
He said he was still trying to accept that a song has been written about him.
“It’s a bit weird. I am a musician myself and I have a profound admiration for anyone who can write a song because I would love to do it myself. It’s quite breath-taking really.
“I don’t always realise what my story means to people but the song showed me something of the value people put on my story and that is a lovely thing.
Charles and Richard have maintained a friendship since first meeting in 2007.
‘Richard Moore’ will receive its first public broadcast on BBC Radio 4 this Thursday, September 10 at 11.30 am.
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