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Fayetteville Man Pays Tribute to Diana With Music

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FAYETTEVILLE — A Fayetteville man is using his own talents to pay tribute to Princess Diana's life and legacy. He's putting his words and feelings into song.

Patrick Gibney, 29, came to Fayetteville on a soccer scholarship when he was 18-years-old. The Ireland native has since called North Carolina home. He was visiting his family in Dublin the night Princess Diana died. He says the outpouring of grief from all parts of the world inspired him to write a song.

"Before, I never really knew much about Princess Diana, but through her death and reading about her life, I realized what a special person she was. Plus she had an effect on people all over the world," Gibney said.

That effect inspired Gibney to write and record a song about The Princess of Wales.

He wrote the lyrics to 'Diana' on a plane coming home from Ireland after watching his mother cry over Diana's death. The words came easy.

Gibney and his musician friends hope the sounds from his Fayetteville recording studio will inspire others to do what Diana did.

"I hope people will listen to it and realize that everyone can make a difference for a lot of people in the world," said musician Kerstin Hanson.

Gibney's song is now being played in Ireland and here at home. He insists he does not want to profit from Diana's death, but instead to honor the people's princess.

"She still seemed to give a lot more than she took, and I was inspired by that," Gibney explained.

ThePrincess Diana Trust Fundis considering endorsing the song. Gibney says even if the song is not endorsed by the fund, he will donate a portion of the profits to one of Diana's favorite charities.

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