A compassionate pair of singers and musicians from Lurgan have pooled their talents to compose a charity single which they hope will raise funds for two very special causes close to their hearts.
Over the years, Emma Reynolds and Eugene Greene have each forged for themselves musical reputations worthy of high praise.
Yet, despite both living in Lurgan, they had never met.
Individually they were both actively singing and song-writing, they both shared a deep-seated passion for the arts and nature and each understood the profound sense of loss in having a loved one pass away to cancer.
Then on a fateful day in November 2024, their two separate paths collided and became one.
And, each regard that chance meeting today as an act of destiny.
Speaking to Armagh I of that serendipitous day, Eugene said: “It was an accident actually, how we met. We were both heading back to Lurgan from Dublin on the train and we got off together when we were actually meant to stay on – we were just too busy talking about music!”
Emma explained that after boarding the train, she asked if she could sit in the seat next to Eugene. He obliged and then in a moment of slight recognition said, “Do I know you from somewhere?”
During the train journey and subsequent taxi ride to their respective destinations, Eugene mentioned a song he had been working on in memory of his late mother who had passed away just months prior, in June.
Emma – who is a professionally trained Soprano and has twice been juror for the Eurovision Song Contest – was instantly seized by the song’s title and knew immediately that she had to be involved.
Of the song entitled ‘Secret Garden’, Emma – whose own mother also died from cancer several years ago – said: “My mother and I used to go out for coffee on the veranda at the house and it had two levels in the garden and my mother used to always say to me, ‘This is like our little secret garden’.”
If anyone could understand the significance of this, it was Eugene. The entire song, he says, was “given to him by his mother”.
“My mum gave me the melody and the words. They came through to me,” he explained. “The secret garden is Clare Glen near Tandragee. That’s where it all started for me.
“Mum brought me to this place and she said, ‘I’m bringing you to a place you have never been before’ and I had never even heard of it.
“We went out before she passed away, when she could walk a bit more and we were just walking around there we felt at peace. It’s close to my heart.”
They agreed to collaborate on the single and together attended Pat McCall’s recording studio in Newry.
“Emma listened to it and I think she liked it,” quipped Eugene. “We recorded it in about two days.”
When they held the final product in their hands, it was clear to the duo that proceeds from its sales should go to help those for whom its lyrics were composed.
Continued Eugene: “It keeps the memory alive. I would like people to feel comfort and understanding when they listen to the song.
Emma and Eugene in their ‘Secret Garden’ at Clare Glen
“People can relate to music in different ways and it’s perfectly fine how you interpret the song.
“It can give you strength, it can maybe galvanise some kind of connection with yourself or friends and family.”
Emma – who had worked for a time off and on in a Cancer Department – described seeing first-hand the impact that music can have on the soul: “It gives the people hope. Some people would say, ‘I can’t put up with this anymore’, you know, and music can give them determination to keep going.
“You can do it and when you get to that other point you will have won the lotto!”
All proceeds from the sale of their single will be divided equally between Lurgan-based charity ’Knitted Knockers’ and ‘Cancer Focus NI’.
The pair chose both charities specifically feeling it was important to them that the money raised stayed in Northern Ireland.
Said Emma: “We wanted to be assured the money would stay in here to focus on the people around our local area.
“The way things are going with the economy now, if people support this and something happens to a loved one the money will be there for them.”
The entire experience has been a blessing for the kindred spirits. Each has learned something valuable from the other and have taken huge pride and comfort from what they have achieved.
“This has all been done in our mothers’ names and if they were here today they would be so proud of us,” said Eugene.
“I know my mother is always here looking down on me.
“When I walk around Clare Glen a wee robin always follows me right from the gate until I leave and it’s all those small little things.”
So far the Secret Garden has raised £335 via the duo’s GoFundMe page.
Click here to purchase a Secret Garden single or make a standalone donation.
