LEGENDARY singer Nick Cave put his heart and soul into performing an iconic The Pogues song at Shane MacGowan's funeral.
Hundreds of mourners gathered at the star-studded funeral service to say their final farewell to the Fairytale of New York icon at the Mary of the Rosary Church in Nenagh, Tipperary today.
Applause erupted from crowds which formed a guard of honour as the iconic singer's hearse made its way to the church.
Nick was among the many famous faces paying their respects to their late pal.
The Australian musician, wearing a classic black suit, sang A Rainy Night in Soho while playing the piano at the mass.
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In the final moments of the song, Nick sang "Now the song is over" instead of the usual lyrics "Now the song is nearly over".
Shane's fans were touched by the moving performance and were left in tears.
Francis said: "That’s magnificent and a fitting tribute to Shane."
John tweeted: "That song makes me cry at the best of times."
Neil wrote: "Someone chopping onions around here?"
Another fan added: "A beautiful thing. Very touching."
Johnny Depp, a close friend of Shane's, also attended the funeral and stood up at the altar at the mass wearing an all black suit and scarf.
The Pirates of the Caribbean star read out the prayer saying: "We pray for a deeper spirit of compassion in the world.
"And we feel the pain of others, understand their need and reach out to all who suffer in any way with a continuous love that is rooted in faith and peace. Lord hear us."
A recording from U2 frontman Bono, who could not make the mass, was played during the mass.
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Music stars Imelda May, and Liam O Maonlai also delivered emotional performances.
'LIFTED US'
Ex-Sinn Fein President Adams delivered the first reading of the service and told how MacGowan’s wife, Victoria, asked him to say a few words in tribute.
He said: “My words are words of gratitude, gratitude for Shane’s genius, for his songs, his creativity and his attitude,” he said, adding how he was grateful for MacGowan’s “celebration of the marginalised, the poor, the exiled and the underdogs."
Adams added that MacGowan “lifted us out of ourselves” and “never gave up”.
This was followed by Imelda May, Liam O Maonlai and Declan O'Rourke performing the song You're The One.
A record by The Pogues and another by Led Zepplin were brought to the altar as symbols of MacGowan’s life.
Other items gifts included a Tipperary flag, a Shannon Rovers jersey and a hurley.
A tray that “Spider bashed over his heading during a Pogues gig” was also brought to the alter, along with some of his favourite books, such as Joyce’s Finnegan’s Wake, and a packet of tea as MacGowan had so many each day of his life.
