NOEL Coward (inset) summed it up when he said it was extraordinary how potent cheap music is.

Danny Boy, which I wrote about earlier this week, has become an anthem of national identity for Irish folk everywhere and yet the lyrics were written by Englishman Frederic Weatherly who churned out the words for an estimated 3,000 songs. Roses of Picardy is another of his, although I doubt there are many of the rest anyone will remember.

It’s odd how a song that might be considered lightweight and sentimental hits just the right notes to achieve legendary status.

Another Irish song which is almost as popular – particularly among the Irish abroad – is The Fields of Athenry.

This tragic tale of a young man being sent away on a prison ship during the Potato Famine while his love remains behind in Galway is tremendously emotive, particularly after a few pints of Guinness.

It’s been adopted by the supporters of the Irish and Celtic football teams, Ireland’s rugby union team and, with changed lyrics, Liverpool FC.

The lament has such a strong attachment to the national psyche that when Ireland were on the brink of elimination in last year’s European Championships – with Spain beating them 4-0 – the travelling Irish began to sing Athenry.

And kept on singing it for the last six minutes of the game, through time added on, and after the final whistle.

A lament indeed but a performance of national pride.

While writing about Danny Boy I said that Derry became Londonderry after James I gave the city a Royal Charter in 1635. Reader Graham Turton was on the phone to point out James I died in 1625.

Quite right, Graham. I got my dates wrong. The charter was awarded in 1613.