In communities in Northern Ireland, it sometimes seems that there are three of everything: schools, sports teams, restaurants, community centers, etc. There is one for Protestants, one for Catholics, and one for both.

Are there things in Northern Irish society that are shared, that bring people together, and rise above this "rule of three"? When asked this question, a group of teachers confided that there were, in fact, a few. One of them is a love for the music of singer/songwriter Van Morrison. His songs represent neither Catholics nor Protestants, he employs both in his band, and his concerts draw everyone. With real joy, these teachers reflected on the importance of this shared musical connection.

Once, following a visit by President Clinton-the first U.S. President to visit Northern Ireland-Morrison played for a peaceful crowd of 80,000 people; a crowd with representation from many groups within the country. This was a moment that these teachers remembered and cherished. Nearly a decade later, they recall the event as something that allowed them to imagine peace, the possibility of living together, and being a part of a crowd that together sang Morrison's song, "Days Like This."

When it's not always raining there'll be days like this
When there's no one complaining there'll be days like this
When everything falls into place like the flick of a switch
Well my mama told me there'll be days like this

When you don't need to worry there'll be days like this
When no one's in a hurry there'll be days like this
When you don't get betrayed by that old judas kiss
Oh my mama told me there'll be days like this

When you don't need an answer there'll be days like this
When you don't meet a chancer there'll be days like this
When all the parts of the puzzle start to look like they fit
Then I must remember there'll be days like this

When everyone is up front and they're not playing tricks
When you don't have no freeloaders out to get their kicks
When it's nobody's business the way that you wanna live
I just have to remember there'll be days like this

When no one steps on my dreams there'll be days like this
When people understand what I mean there'll be days like this
When you ring out the changes of how everything is
Well my mama told me there'll be days like this

Oh my mama told me
There'll be days like this¹

Connections for the Classroom...

• The group of teachers were all deeply affected by the concert. What role does such shared moments play in peacebuilding? Why are symbols and music like some of the songs of Van Morrison so important to peacebuilding efforts? Are there songs, people, or events you can think of that you-or your country-might share with a group that is considered an enemy or a former enemy?

• Pick a line or two from the lyrics of "Days Like This" that most affect or interest you. Share the lines in full or small group discussion and explain why you chose them.

• In South Africa, after apartheid, a new national anthem was created. The song is a combination of two songs: "Die Stem van Suid-Afrika (The Call of South Africa)," which had been the Afrikaner anthem, and "Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika (God Bless Africa)," a popular hymn which had acted as the "anthem" of the African National Congress and other Black organizations. During the apartheid years, the singing of "Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika" had been banned. Five of South Africa's languages are represented in this new, hybrid anthem,² which is an attempt to honor different groups and unify a nation in need of reconciliation.
  
  Do further research on the national anthem of South Africa. Do you think the new anthem has been successful in bringing former enemies together? Why do you think anthems are so important? What do you think are some of the qualities of music and art that have the power to rise above conflict and actually serve to bring opposing groups together? Why can music and art be such powerful tools to divide, as well? Can you think of some instances in your own experiences-family, friends, community-when music has brought about conflict or division?

• You can find out information on the song "Days Like This" by searching the Web. You can listen to a short sample of the song on the Amazon.com website.

¹ "Days Like This" by Van Morrison, 1995.
² Many thanks to Facing History student, Robert A., from Dover-Sherborn High School in Massachusetts, who pointed out: "The anthem is actually sung in five [languages]: Xhosa and Zulu share the first verse, Sesotho is the second, Afrikaans is the third, and English is the fourth."