WITH the Beijing Olympic Games just around the corner, Clannad's Moya Brennan has provided lead vocals on "Green to Gold," official song of the 2008 Irish Olympic team.

But this is not your usual sports anthem. Written by Niall Austin and performed with Dublin rockers Grand Canal, the song is more James Bond theme than "Ireland's Call." Opening with a reflective but determined variation of the athlete's Olympic oath, performed to the traditional air of "She Moves through the Fair," the song breaks into a hard rock track that captures the energy of the world's biggest sporting event from an athlete's perspective.

"The crowd is calling, challenge has begun/history falling, on shoulders of the young/the field of combat, holding out the prize/in sight of glory, captured through the eyes/of the heroes, watching as their destinies unfold/to bring the Green to Gold," go the lyrics.

Moya, a long time Olympic fan whose native Donegal is represented on the team by four athletes and support staff, was delighted to play her part for the Irish team.

"Coming from Donegal, I've always been interested in Olympics" she says. "Apart from the athletes being excellent role models for young people, the Irish Olympic Committee was among the first organizations from the 32 counties to promote a peaceful shared endeavor in a dignified way."

Grand Canal features an ensemble of musicians from some of Ireland's most prominent eighties and nineties bands including the Blades, the Stars of Heaven, the Fat Lady Sings and Brian, as well as emerging young stars Claudia and Natalie Boyle. Their 2007 debut album Pearls, recorded with Ronnie Drew and Jah Wobble, achieved widespread critical acclaim.

All profits from "Green to Gold" will be used to support the development of Irish youth sports.