Moray singer-songwriter releases Covid-19 prayer song to aid Doctors Without Borders

A MORAY singer-songwriter has released a healing song to raise funds for the humanitarian work of Médecins Sans Fontières/Doctors Without Borders.

Abi Rooley-Towle, who lives near Forres, wrote the song, "Heartsease", about the blight of coronavirus, but also as a message of hope.

She came up with the song as a sing-a-long prayer project to raise funds for countries struck by Covid-19 which lack a robust healthcare system.

Abi teamed up digitally with Icelandic guitarist and lutenist Arngeir Hauksson, violinist Tamsin Lewis and viol da gamba player Alison Kinder, all based in and around London, to record the song in May.

She said: "I took the idea of a prayer flag that sends prayers and healing wishes round the world on the wind.

"A song works in much the same way if people from all over the globe join in with the same wish and intention."

Abi grew up in a family of international early musicians and this influence can be heard in her work, which also has elements of folk and world music.

She added: "It is a new song, with a feel of the old and, in the new 2020 way of working, was made through remote digital collaboration with musicians who had not even met.

"Our hope is that people will join in the chorus and send much-needed positive energy around the world and then donate to those who are the most vulnerable."

Canadian/Korean artist Yuni Ko created artwork for the release.

The Heartsease collaboration has since led to Abi, Arngeir and Tamsin setting up a new band, Karuna, the Sanskrit word for "compassion".

To listen to the song go to https://youtu.be/eQ2x0T77zl0 and to donate to the JustGiving fundraiser click here.