Glen Hansard unites with Markéta Irglová and Ukrainian refugees on new song "Take Heart"

"Take Heart" was inspired by Patti Smith and discussions with a Ukrainian refugee named Maria, who was taken in by his neighbour Marina. The song features Markéta Irglová, as well as three Ukrainian refugees on backing vocals.

A press release reveals that he was put in touch with the three Ukrainian refugees (named Anna, Alex and Olena) through his local Red Cross after returning from tour in February.

Hansard says, "This song is a single flower placed at the foot of all this devastation, a candle lit among the millions placed helplessly at the doors of embassies or left burning in windows; it’s a prayer sent up into the great cloud of goodwill that circles the globe. It’s a thing that didn’t exist and now it does, an offering, thanks to Patti, Alex, Anna, Olena and Markéta who heard it as I was working on it and joined in to make it stronger. This is for them, and to all those who lost or are missing loved ones on every side of this brutal war."