When Nathan Carter released ‘May the Road Rise’ on the January 1, 2020, neither he, nor anyone else, knew just how significant the lyrics would come to be in just a few short weeks.

Ringing in the new decade with sentiments of hope and friendship, the song was penned by the singer and his manager John Farry, who were inspired by a traditional Irish blessing. Their wish was that listeners would be stirred to start the New Year on a positive note.

Very soon after its release, the song quickly took on a new and much more significant meaning and the lyrics have gone on to provide hope, comfort and a sense of belonging to people across the globe.

The singer explains: “‘May the Road Rise to Meet You’ is a lovely Irish blessing, and it struck us just how sincere the words were. It’s a blessing that has been passed down by generations of Irish families and we felt it lent itself really well to an anthem style song. We released it on the first day of January and the reaction to the song was brilliant.

“As we all know, since January the world has changed beyond recognition. In times like these, people do turn to music for comfort, distraction and hope. As musicians, there isn’t much we can do in a health crisis like this, but if our songs are of some help to even a single person, that makes it all worthwhile.

“Sadly, Ireland has lost far too many wonderful people too soon and their families have suffered the saddest loss.

“Lyrics like those in this song have taken on a whole new meaning and we received so many touching messages from so many people who have found a little comfort in them. Many who have been painfully separated from family and friends, some living really far away from home, and very sadly, those who mourn the loss of the people they love.”

As Ireland and the world begins to slowly rebuild and emerge from the crisis, Nathan has joined with fellow musicians to release a new, transatlantic Irish American version of the song. It features artists including Celtic Thunder, Crystal Gayle, Moya Brennan, Larry Gatlin, Altan, Cherish The Ladies, The High Kings, John Carter Cash and Chloe Agnew.

“Like the blessing, links between Ireland and America go back for generations and after a period of such separation from our friends across the Atlantic, this felt like a good way to remember this period through voices and friends coming together again. Their support in putting this together has been incredible and I want to thank every one of them for backing this project so wholeheartedly.

“We all know that no song can ever erase what’s happened in the world, but in some way, we hope to use our music to shine a little light and hope,” he said.

‘May The Road Rise - A New Dawn ‘ an anthem of hope, is dedicated to all who have lost loved ones during the pandemic. All proceeds of the downloads will be donated to www.materfoundation.ie #OurHospitalHeroes -a fundraising appeal to

support the amazing staff in a group of Ireland’s acute hospitals.