Chris de Burgh's hopes of being the first Western singer to perform in Iran since the 1979 revolution could be in trouble.

The Wicklow-based musician wants to share his musical talents with the citizens of the strict Muslim country but his previous incarnation as a 'Crusader' may have scuppered his chances.

Plans to hold any concerts in Iran must go through a lengthy process where permission has to be obtained from the country's Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance who vet all lyrics and music styles to ensure they do not contradict Islamic values.

One wonders then what the Ministry will make of de Burgh's 1979 album, Crusader?

On the title track, which references the 1187 capture of Jerusalem by the Muslim leader Saladin, de Burgh sings "Jerusalem has fallen to the hand of some bedevilled Eastern Heathen who has seized the Holy Land."

The song goes on to describe Muslim icon Saladin, historically seen as merciful, "whoring, drinking and snoring."

The sleeve of Crusader also features de Burgh wearing a mediaeval Crusaders' helmet resembling a Christian Cross.

In 2001, US President George Bush sparked outrage across the Arab world when he described the invasion of Afghanistan as part of a "crusade against terrorism." The term 'crusade' was seen as a reference to the mediaeval Crusades from 1095 to 1291 when tens of thousands of Muslims were killed by Christian Knights as both sides battled for possession of the Holy Land.

However, de Burgh is quoted in his 1996 authorised biography by writer Tony Clayton-Lea, as saying that the message at the heart of Crusader was reconciliation.

"The point of Crusader was not a historical event, necessarily, but the mixing together of old and new wars, of the idea that maybe former enemies could combine."

The Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance in Tehran may also be surprised by de Burgh's revelation that the title track had been inspired by "punk rock."

De Burgh, who is best known for his romantic 1986 ballad 'The Lady In Red', explained: "I didn't like punk rock but I liked the reason for it. To be perfectly honest, at the time if anybody asked me about punk rock, I wasn't about to stand up and say, I absolutely loathe it, it's got nothing to do with me. I come from a middle class, so-called comfortable background. The punks were on about getting jobs where I had a university education and had nothing in common with these people."

Despite its title, de Burgh has revealed that the title track of Crusader was never intended to be about anything in particular. However his explanation about his influences are unlikely to please the Iranian ministry.

"Then I remembered that one of my ancestors, Godfrey de Bouillon, was actually the first (uncrowned) King of Jerusalem. The de Burgh crest of the gold shield with the red cross is in relation to the historical event that took place during one of the battles outside the walls of Jerusalem where a de Burgh knight had killed a Saracen king, not Saladin.

"Apparently, King Richard The Lionheart had seen this and he rode over, dipped his fingers in the blood of the dead man and inscribed a cross on the gold shield of the de Burgh knight and proclaimed this would be the family crest.

"I thought this was a makey-uppy story (sic), but I found it in several of my grandfather's ancestry books."

"What do I do next?" said the Bishop to the Priest,
"I have spent my whole life waiting, preparing for the Feast,
And now you say Jerusalem has fallen and is lost,
The King of Heathen Saracen has seized the holy cross."

Then the Priest said "Oh my Bishop, we must put them to the sword,
For God in all his mercy will find a just reward,
For the Noblemen and sinners, and Knights of ready hand
Who will be the Lord's Crusader, send word throughout all the land,

Jerusalem is lost,
Jerusalem is lost;"

"Tell me what to do", said the King upon his throne,
"but speak to me in whispers for we are not alone,
They tell me that Jerusalem has fallen to the hand
Of some bedevilled Eastern heathen who has seized the Holy land" . . .
[continues:]
Ooh, high on a hill, in the town of Jerusalem,
There stood Saladin, the King of the Saracens,
Whoring and drinking and snoring and sinking, around him his army lay,
Secure in the knowledge that they had won the day;

A messenger came, blood on his feet and a wound in his chest,
"The Christians are coming!" he said, "I have seen their Cross in the West,"
In a rage Saladin struck him down with his knife
And he said "I know that this man lies,
They quarrel too much, the Christians could never unite!

I am invincible, I am the King,
I am invincible, and I will win..."

They started the battle at dawn, taking the city by storm,
With horsemen and bowmen and engines of war,
They broke through the city walls,
The Heathens were flying and screaming and dying,
And the Christian swords were strong,
And Saladin ran when he heard their victory song . . .

» A selection of the lyrics which may cause Chris de Burgh some problems in Iran.
'Crusader' can be purchased through de Burgh's website

http://www.cdeb.com