I heard this song and I was so moved by it I wanted to find out more as I was also told it was based on fact.
When I first listened to it I heard it as a story,
Then as i read/heard it more I began to understand that each side has done so much to each other that neither will accept STILL that there is any good in the other. I read all of the above threads and links and when i read them can now understand how 'wars' and 'conflicts' come about. Can't it be understood that horrible things have been done in the past by each side to each other. This song recognises the humanity, the pathos of a young man who joined an army thinking it would be more of an adventurous holiday in the sun in Cyprus and then found it to be very different. I heard, in the song, that it was the Irish risking themselves by putting their bodies in front of their wives and children as they turned to the Englishman to help. Nothing cowardly.
The only cowardly acts were from the the young men who jeered afterwards and of course, the ones who threw the bomb and I expect, somewhere, someone is singing songs that have been composed about both of these parties. I expect they have been portrayed in a heroic light as well ... and so it will go on.