Bono pens ballad for global virus frontliners

Paddy’s Day treat from Bono

Jim Gallagher

Bono gave fans a St Patrick's Day treat when he sang a song he wrote an hour previously live on Instagram.

The U2 frontman (59) gave a poignant performance of Let Your Love Be Known while sitting at the piano in his Killiney, Co Dublin home.

He helped to lift spirits during the coronavirus crisis by dedicating the moving song to medical staff trying to keep everyone safe.

"For the Italians who inspired it, for the Irish, for anyone who this St Patrick's day is in a tight spot and still singing," he said.

"For the doctors, nurses, carers on the frontline, it's you we're singing to."

Postcard

Bono launched a raw version of the ballad by calling it "a little postcard from bubblin' Dublin on St Patrick's Day, a little tune made up here about an hour ago.

"I think it's called, Let Your Love Be Known. Let's see what you think."

With Killiney Bay visible behind him as he sits at his piano he sang: "Yes, there was silence. Yes, there was no people here. Yes, I walked through the streets of Dublin, and no one was near."

Fans immediately thanked him, with one Italian saying "grazie" and others calling it "beautiful".