Strength To Carry On mp3 download
Digital download (mp3)
Debut single by Will Page.
Vocals, fiddle & guitar performed by Will Page. Bodhrán & Percussion performed by Cormac Byrne. Piano & bass guitar performed by Jack Hosgood.
Recorded at Doz Studios. Produced by Will Page. Percussion Production by Cormac Byrne. Mixed by Al Drake Brockman.
Strength To Carry On, debut single by Will Page, tells the amazing story of an incredibly strong woman; Doris Page (author name Ann Armstrong), who despite being paralyzed for 30 years of her life by polio disease wrote published books and magazine articles typing with her toes and founded the Independence At Home charity. For all her amazing work, Ann was awarded an MBE by Queen Elizabeth II. Ann was Will's grandmother.
In Spring 2022 a blue plaque was mounted on Ann’s family home in Newbury to commemorate her incredible achievements and as a person of significant historical importance; not least for surviving 30 years of bed-bound and respiratory paralysis, legacy of championing independent living for disabled people, writing books published by the BBC (A Breath Of Life, 1985) or being a wife and mother of two. Above all, it was her mental strength and spirit which still inspires today.
It was at the 2022 commemoration service, led by the Mayor of Newbury and other community and family members, that Will fully unearthed the immense story of his grandmother and was compelled to write a song in her memory. “I hope my song ‘Strength To Carry On’ serves as a positive and inspiring message to listeners in these troubled times” tells Will. “Beginning my solo artist career at this time feels like my grandmother has reached down from above to give me this song to set me on my journey”.
Taking the lead on this track are Will’s energetic, expressive fiddle playing and melodic vocals. Noteworthy too is the performance by BBC Folk Award winning instrumentalist, Cormac Byrne, on bodhran and percussion. Being well recognised on the Americana scene, you can observe Will’s enthusiasm for storytelling within his lyrics; indeed Strength To Carry On showcases Will in full storytelling mode! The song crescendos with fiddle and vocal soaring together to create an exciting and heartfelt listening experience.