'If This Is The End' - Ryan McMullan with the Ulster Orchestra

Commissioned by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland to write a song marking the commitment and contribution of the NHS and its staff during the Covid19 pandemic, rising international star Ryan McMullan joined forces with the Ulster Orchestra who provided a special arrangement, performed by its string section, to record a beautiful new piece titled 'If This Is The End'.
Ryan, who has toured internationally with Ed Sheeran and Snow Patrol, took inspiration for the song from the incredible work of the NHS, paying a poignant tribute to those who have lost someone during 2020 and have been unable to mourn their loved ones in the usual way. Combined with the Orchestra’s soaring string arrangements by Paul Campbell, it brings to mind a spirit leaving this realm and entering the next.
Ryan explains; “When the Arts Council asked me to write a song, the only story that I could think of was the one I had heard of John Wilson. John’s wife got sick during full lockdown, which meant he couldn’t visit her in the hospital or hold her hand as she passed - he never got to say goodbye to the person he spent his life with - and then I thought of the countless others who were going through the same thing. The song wrote itself after that I guess. Having the Ulster Orchestra arrange and perform it with me was so amazing and I’m incredibly grateful to them for being such an integral part of such a meaningful song."
Patrick McCarthy, Ulster Orchestra’s Head of Artistic Planning and Operations, comments;
“The Ulster Orchestra was delighted to collaborate with Ryan to compose and record a string arrangement to accompany his inspiring song which honours the work of the NHS and its staff. I feel that the role of the Ulster Orchestra at this time is to find ways to give space to artists and to give a voice to the emotion that we’ve all been dealing with through this time. I think Ryan’s song has truly captured that emotion - it’s incredibly special.”
Ciaran Scullion, Head of Music, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, said added;
“All the stars aligned when we were able to realise this special collaboration between Ryan McMullan, singer-songwriter and rising international star, and the Ulster Orchestra with a new commission dedicated to the NHS and its staff, acknowledging their heroic response to the Covid-19 pandemic. This is a year like no other and our health service staff have felt all of those emotions which we’ve all felt during this time and which resonate deeply throughout Ryan’s Song. The song reflects our worry, isolation, loneliness, uncertainty but also hope and strength in love and connectedness for all of our futures. It reminds us just how essential and vital the arts are to the very fabric of society and to ourselves. It shines a light on what it means to be human and for the arts we’re all richer. We are hugely proud to support this incredibly powerful tribute to the NHS by Ryan McMullan and the Ulster Orchestra, a song that will move and inspire many at this challenging time for all.”
Ryan will be officially releasing 'If This Is The End' on 27 November 2020.

[@LesleyMorrison-jt3iz]

I wish this was a song when I lost my little girl-3 yrs & 18 days old! But my dad passed away when this came out so it’s a reminder of him….Ryan is just amazing! I LOVE his voice & he never fails to make me smile when I hear any of his songs!!!❤

[@norafaddis500]

Thank you for such a beautiful song. My father and father in law passed away on April 29,2021 due to Covid. I will never forget the feeling of not being able to hold my father and tell him we were there with him. He died alone in a room full of strangers. My heart breaks everyday thinking about him.

[@star-angeliah8262]

I live in England and I have just heard this song on tonight's Home & Away ~ the emotion in this song actually brought me to tears, it's such a beautiful song❣️

[@annw6757]

Same here

[@stacy18]

Same here

[@dewaanmarvan369]

Made me cry

[@tinaattwood1743]

Me too I also heard another song on on the same show female singer but can't work out what the other song is but sounds lovely

[@stacy18]

@@tinaattwood1743 is it the song that came on when colby and his wife was in home and away? If so its called so cold because I downloaded that song straight away too x

[@sallyharries312]

Loved this on home and away when it was played on Tuesday..

[@monicagatt155]

Why is this song not on the radio love it heard it for the first time on the end of Home and Away.

[@kierankeegan4665]

How is this no in the charts?? Heard it live with my son in cork a few weeks ago,,, but when ryan played this song ,, i blew me away ,, irish radio stations should hang heads in shame ,, if this was lewis capildi ,or ed sheeran it would be played non stop

[@damianbrennan49]

Wow!!!! Ryan you are amazing and you sing with such heartfelt passion.....you just keep getting better and better ! Sharing this over here in Canada Good on ya wee lad!

[@brendabrown7864]

He just absolutely incredible talented young man love his beautiful Irish voice 💚🍀☘️💚 I can’t help but cry when I first heard this beautiful song, it reminds me of my Soul Mate so long ago it seems. I miss him so much I lost him in a car wreck. He was everything.I have enough of love we shared and memories for the rest of my life. Ralph was the best part of my life, I’ll love till the day Jesus takes me home🤍🌹🌹🤍

[@iknowlou850]

I lost my best friend tragically last year and this song has literally been everything to me. x

[@patrick.7326]

Amen.

[@nicnoc6094]

Absolutely stunning! Who could put a thumbs down to this gorgeous song?

[@charlenethompson1983]

Absolutely breathtaking. You nailed the feeling that all those people who have lost loved ones this year must have had. Brings tears every time I listen ❤️

[@weeme9348]

Absolutely love this song and how he sings it ❤ amazing

[@johnleenane4571]

What a stunning voice, absolutely beautiful ❤

[@joaomariano4519]

I’m feeling helpless, And all they keep saying Is that I can’t see you, Might never see you again. I’m sure you’re hurting, I’m hurting too, yeah, I just wanna be with you And hold on to your hurt, It’s all that I’m asking. We know that love Is stronger than hate Harder than suffer Hurts more than pain. If this is the end, Well darling it’s been Everything. I’m walking in circles, ‘Cause I am so lost without you, They can only imagine The hurt and the sadness We’re going through. I can’t say goodbye To the best part of my life But even if I could, Oh even if they would, What would I say…? We know that love Is stronger than hate Harder than suffer Hurts more than pain. But if this is the end, Well darling it’s been Everything. We’ve had our chance So I can’t complain, But just a few seconds Is all it would take to say: If this is the end, Well darling it’s been Everything. Everything, everything. We know that love Is stronger than hate Harder than suffer Hurts more than pain. But if this is the end, Well darling it’s been Everything, Everything. Oh we’ve had our chance So I can’t complain, But just a few seconds Is all it would take to say: If this is the end, Well darling you’ve been Everything. If this is the end, Well darling you’ve been…

[@diarmuidmccarthy8467]

Very powerful words, especially for all families that have lost a loved one during this pandemic. so beautiful. well done to all involved.

[@ollier67]

Home & Away brings me here play some awesome unknown music thruout the show

[@LesleyMorrison-jt3iz]

This is the first song I heard of Ryan and I fell in love with it, sing this and f** Off on a daily basis haha

[@Rebel1916]

I love you Dee, and i always treated you so well ..❤❤❤

[@gabrielcassidy7913]

Wawoo never heard of u until 2 minutes ago Jesus u are amazing

[@preciousmcdonagh5682]

RIP my cousin Martin ward I love you an miss u more than words will ever say💔💔💔

[@MrJulia1947]

Cada vez que veo a Ryan McMullan cantando está canción tengo que poner algo."PRECIOSA CANCIÓN"♥️🇪🇸

[@dawnhendry3284]

Wow Absolutely Beautiful brought tears to my eyes..jeez ..wonderful Thankyou 👏

[@neilgallagher4596]

Breathtaking , poignant song ! How is there only 29k views so far

[@kellytaylor4057]

A powerful song ! Absolutely amazing singer love your music also seen you few times live . 👏💙

[@madlenyvonne1989]

Wooowwww....a song deep from the soul

[@brianmccloskey8575]

Get this to number 1!

[@anniestrong3096]

Beautiful song, thank you Ryan McMullan and the wonderful Ulster Orchesta. xx

[@rebeccasage7501]

So beautiful,,such a touching song when your lost in your own little world and deep in thought ❤ ♥

[@ErinDay2]

Gorgeous 😭

[@wallyman1948]

Superb!!

[@reaz781]

You are amazing Ryan!

[@joaomariano4519]

Amazing colaboration, thank you for this gem! Truly captures very well something many of us have been going through and it is beautiful when put into music

[@alisonmason7990]

Brilliant absolutely brilliant

[@sc4571]

Powerful song, thank you for sharing

[@michaelrowney2138]

Between you and Foy.. goosebumps

[@joanbeveridge5030]

Brilliant, thank you. I'm a McMillan 👏👍👍

[@stacy18]

I've just heard this on Home and Away and looked for it straight away, lovely song ❤️💛💖💚🧡💜💙

[@marykeenan3539]

0

[@wallyman1948]

❤️❤️❤️

[@spc856]

Fantastic song.

[@barrylangan6870]

Simply stunning 🔥🙌👏

[@patrick.7326]

Cool song.

[@chrisohanlon7133]

Brilliant song Ryan, any couple can relate to it. Most emotive song I have heard in a long time.

[@kiercronin1442]

This was 👏 amazing

[@MrJulia1947]

Me encanta esta canción. ❤️🇪🇸

[@damiankochanski5516]

🖤✋

[@natashacoyne079]

💘

[@fredavalbjorkstormnielsen7389]

This is the end - I will never let you hurt me again

[@hallejohn]

Wahnsinn! :o

[@johnmoitie4677]

Absolutely f**King mega

[@GabrielJulia-u9v]

Martin William Robinson Linda Lee Eric

[@Will-of-all-trades]

...

[@jenniferball1570]

Home and Away brought me here today, I lost my precious daughter to stage 4 breast cancer in November, these soulful lyrics brought me too tears, my heart is broken, I miss my baby so much, love you darling forever❤️👼💔

[@annmorton7855]

🤗 🤗

[@28copland]

Sorry for your loss x

[@paulmcdermot9706]

Sorry for ur loss x

[@SS-cp7sl]

So sorry for your loss. May she rest in peace. ❤

[@dean9330]

Rest it eternity, amen x

[@mikekelly1469]

❤

[@kirsticullen8951]

Played this at my mums funeral the line “darling it’s been everything” gets me, also we played Belfast city by Ryan leaving the chapel as that’s her hometown. Thanks Ryan ❤🦋🩵

[@hollythompson1496]

Ryan- this is the most beautiful song. I was a neighbour and friend of Pauline. I'm also a Clinical Psychologist working with bereavement & anxiety and lots of other difficulties precipitated by the pandemic. Thank you for translating the emotion, I have felt and work with, into music.

[@monds5276]

Holly your comment is as wonderful as the song 😊

[@hollythompson1496]

@@monds5276 what a lovely thing to say thank you.

[@davidaucoin7280]

That was amazing. VERY touching and shamelessly sitting here with tears streaming down my cheeks and snot bubbles popping out of my nostrils! Good luck to you young man you have an amazing road ahead of you. Enjoy the journey.

[@tugwilson]

Thank you, Ryan

[@bleeuk]

I heard this song was played on Home And Away TV series From Australia today, on Tuesday 22nd June (7591) Episode, it got a ed sheeran pace to this,

[@bleeuk]

@Aaron Fawcett me and dad both though it was ed sheeran too but i had my phone and I used my Shazam app, and said it was this track and it worked!

[@beverleylangman8540]

I cheated looked up the songs name as home and away once played the song you are the reason by calum Scott so I new it wouldn't be a edsheeren song they tend to use the lesser none

[@bleeuk]

@@beverleylangman8540 they have used Ed Sheeran song on Home and Away before like perfect, and he was a special guest for the episode back in 2015 as teddy, and performed Thinking Out Loud.

[@lindafinnigan9099]

I heard it too from H&A it was only aired here on the 29th July, like the rest of you I had to look it up. So beautiful, the lyrics had me in tears, I’ve lost so many loved ones over the past 2 years, including my first love of 64 years, father of our 3 children and grandchildren. Beautiful voice 😘

[@barbrastoller7291]

just heard this also on home and away, omg what a beautiful emotional song,can't stop playing it now.

[@Brokensoul1974]

I just hope you no just how brilliant you are fella.You truly have a real gift.Really really beautiful.💕❤️💕

[@duckrabbit6122]

Got a tear in my eye listening to this.

[@tamaralee59]

Im sure your mum is so proud of you

[@mandyporter2350]

This makes me cry everytime , miss my grandson so much , I love you my darling praying I will see you again soon

[@alanmiller2770]

Ryan is the most incredible singer that I have heard in a long while.

[@lisadorrian5504]

💔💔💔💔

[@grahamlenton2902]

What a wonderful song and a beautiful tribute to Pauline and John. I worked with Pauline for several years and knew both John and Pauline. Graham Lenton

[@delmarsland477]

Who were Pauline and John ?

[@Progneto]

Very very nice job by all of you!

[@alanmartin1949]

A brilliant version of a brilliant song - get well soon Ryan 👍👍✌✌

[@sarahwhyte55]

This song was was written by Ryan

[@cloycloyyy6667]

what a great song

[@ryanadamvarner]

Incredible!!!!!!

[@tracieb4085]

This song just been played in Home and Away

[@luciagore1521]

Amazing song... words are beautiful

[@dean9330]

Ryan never give up. You are so special. That voice is god given x😊

[@fionadowds6381]

Beautiful ❤

[@passingthrough903]

Powerful

[@itsadrianmusic]

What are the chords??

[@itsadrianmusic]

@@stephenhanna3369 no idea Just followed his fingers and got it

[@patriciaboland836]

Wow is all I can say heard it on Home and Away.amazing song and singer.❤

[@marianne.1401]

Beautiful song, Ryan's amazing voice and the sounds of the orchestra are so beautiful together. This gives me goosebumps every time I listen to it.