U2 pens powerful ballad for people of Paris after attacks

U2 frontman Bono has written a peaceful ballad for Paris following terrorist attacks on the capital, and will perform them at shows in the city on Sunday and Monday. Photo / Getty

U2 frontman Bono has written a song about the Paris attacks ahead of a defiant return to the French capital for gigs that may feature the Eagles of Death Metal whose show was targeted by the jihadists.

The Irish rock band cancelled their shows in Paris that were due to start the day after the attacks on November 13 that left 130 people dead.

They quickly rescheduled them and will appear at the 16,000-capacity AccorHotels Arena in the French capital on Sunday and Monday.

"We think of music as the sound of freedom," U2 guitarist The Edge said in an interview with CNN.

"We think rock and roll has a part to play, so going back to Paris to us is not just symbolic. I think we're actually starting the process of resistance, of defiance against this movement," he said, referring to the Islamic State group that carried out the killings.

In the same interview , Bono recited lyrics from a new song called Streets of Surrender, which touched on the violence.

He said he had started writing the song for Italian singer and long-time friend, Zucchero.

The lyrics include the lines: "Every man's got one city of liberty, for me it's Paris, I love it.

"Every time I get lost down these ancient streets, I find myself again. I didn't come here to fight you. I came down these streets of love and pride to surrender."

-AAP