“These Are The Hands of a Tired Man”

Summary

The web content discusses the lesser-known Irish band Aslan, their rise in the 1980s Dublin music scene alongside U2, their struggle with addiction, and their post-recovery success, highlighting the song "This Is" and the band's impact on Irish music culture.

Abstract

The article titled "‘These Are The Hands of a Tired Man’" recounts the story of Aslan, an Irish band from the 1980s that emerged from the impoverished streets of Dublin alongside the globally renowned band U2. Despite their early promise, Aslan's career was marred by opiate addiction, which led to a premature end to their initial success. The narrative focuses on the song "This Is," which is significant not only for its lyrical depth but also because it is the only Aslan song covered by U2. The article conveys the personal struggles of the band's lead singer, Christy Dignam, with addiction and his eventual recovery. It also references the experiences of another Irishman, Brian Pennie, as detailed in his book "Bonus Time," which parallels the theme of overcoming adversity. The piece concludes by celebrating Aslan's resilience and their enduring legacy, inviting readers to explore the song and Pennie's book for inspiring tales of human spirit and perseverance.

Opinions

The author expresses admiration for Aslan's musical talent and their significance in the Irish music scene.
The article suggests that Aslan's music, particularly the song "This Is," is deeply emotional and reflective of the human condition.
There is a clear respect for Christy Dignam's journey, both as an artist and in his personal battle with addiction.
The writer believes that Aslan's post-recovery performances were exceptional, describing them as "electric" and "the best of a generation."
The author holds the view that both Aslan's story and Brian Pennie's experiences offer powerful insights into the nature of addiction and the possibility of redemption and rebirth.

“This is” a brief lyrical story about an Irish band the world never knew

In a poverty-stricken Dublin of the 1980s, two incredible bands rose from the derelict streets. One is known the world over — U2 — heard of them?

This a glimpse into the other— Aslan — who were arrested by addiction!

“These are the hands of a tired man This is the old man’s shroud These are the eyes of the blood-crazed tiger Staring at the maddening crowd This is the face of a teenage mother This is the child she bears This is the soul of her broken lover Searching for the smiles they shared These are the feet of the punished pilgrim And in his book of punished love You see his eyes You see no surprise… Waiting for a lie that’s true”

Also, Aslan is the only Irish band that U2 ever covered, this exact song, “This Is.”

Christy Dignam singing a Croke Park (c. the mid-80s) before losing it all to addiction. source RTE

“Everybody hits you with this feeling Nobody seems to understand Yeah, you stop, you look… You’re searching for the meaning Wasting your life away” — Christy Dignam

Opiate addiction cut Aslan’s meteoric rise short. Too early. I was fortunate to have watched Christy and Co. post-recovery. On a few occasions live at Vicar Street, a famous venue in Dublin, in the early 2000s. They were electric. Eclectic. The best of a generation in my opinion. So I thought I’d share it with you.

“These are the dreams of a sleeping father And in his long lost days He sees a child… He sees his eyes… Waiting for the price he’s paid These are the tears of a fallen idol And in his smile of shattered love You see his eyes… You see no surprise… You just see lights then realise”

Another Irishman, our fellow writer, Brian Pennie offered a glimpse into Christy’s plight, from his own experience in his new book — Bonus Time:

“As I plunged back into my seat, itchy, warm and comfortably numb, heroin whispered in my ear: ‘Don't worry. No matter what happens, no matter what pain you're going through, I’ll look after you. Everything will be okay. All you have to do is keep me close.’ Heroin spoke. I listened” — Brian

And, here’s Bono singing “This is”, a tribute to Aslan:

Enjoy the song and the book folks. Two truly inspiring stories about the human spirit — a rebirth from the darkness. A survival through courage, and resilience!