[1] The song recounts the true story of two men, "Allan Bell" from Benagh, a Protestant and "Sean O'Malley" from South Armagh, a Catholic.
The two were very close friends despite the political strife between the Catholic and Protestant communities and they would meet at Ryan Road, near Mayobridge in South County Down, where the Sands family have a farm.
The Sands family were all musicians and singers and their house was a focal point for Catholic and Protestant neighbours to enjoy music and craic.
Sands had originally recorded the song using the real names of the two men, Scott and McDonnell,[2] and did so with the agreement of their families.
[3] In May 2002 Sands received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Nevada, Reno for his outstanding work as musician and ambassador for peace and understanding.