U2 paid tribute to Glen Hansard at his funeral service in Dublin by performing a specially adapted version of their classic hit “Beautiful Day.” The Irish rock band reworked the iconic song’s lyrics to honor the musician, who passed away on July 29 at age 56 following a motorcycle accident.
During the ceremony at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, frontman Bono shared a voicemail message from Patti Smith reflecting on Hansard’s death before delivering the rewritten lyrics. The new version included personal references to Hansard’s life and legacy, concluding with the lines: “You left a hangover from hell, of this there is no doubt/ But as you wake up in heaven, all the angels will shout.”
The funeral also featured performances from other prominent musicians who worked with Hansard. Eddie Vedder performed “The Song of Good Hope” alongside Markéta Irglová, who won an Academy Award with Hansard in 2008 for the song “Falling Slowly” from the film “Once.” Both artists joined a group performance of Bob Dylan’s “Forever Young.”
Bono’s eulogy highlighted Hansard’s exceptional ability to connect with people from all walks of life, noting that those who met him remembered the encounter vividly. The musician’s passing has sparked widespread tributes from fellow artists and fans worldwide.
Originally reported by Rollingstone →
About the Author
