Shane Macgowan was not an easy watch. His lifestyle dragged him through many a booze filled alley and for those close to him it was a frightening performance that would so often end in tears. Despite this he managed to create some incredible music and for those who knew him he offered a deep and loving friendship. He continued the line of great Irish artists who with their words and songs gave us a great beauty. From the pens of Oscar Wilde, William Butler Yeats, James Joyce and later Brendan Behan to the music of The Dubliners, Sinead O’Connor, Christy Moore and Van Morrison, he was part of a wonderful family of Irish artists.

I was working on a mix focused around a poem of Robert Warrington’s when I heard that Shane had died and the words seemed to go with the feelings that Shane often provoked.