Grace (Jim McCann song)

Grace Gifford, subject of the song, outside Kilmainham Jail on 2 May 1916, before her marriage on 3 May and her husband's death on 4 May

"Grace" is an Irish song written in 1985 by Frank O'Meara (melody) and Seán O'Meara (lyrics).[1][2] It tells the story of Grace Gifford's marriage to Joseph Plunkett in Kilmainham Jail, hours before his execution in 1916.[3] It was released as a single by Jim McCann and reached number 2 in the Irish charts, staying in the charts for 33 weeks from 1 April 1986.[4][5]

Jim McCann described it as:

A good new song about an old subject.[1]

Former politician Donie Cassidy, who owns the rights to the song, has said:

It's a beautiful love song. The words in the first line of the chorus: 'Grace just hold me in your arms and let this moment linger' – they are just haunting, and so many people can resonate with it.[6]

The song has been recorded by artists including The Dubliners (including Live from the Gaiety 2002), The Wolfe Tones (You'll Never Beat the Irish, 2001), Rod Stewart (Blood Red Roses, 2018),[7] Foster and Allen,[6] John McDermott,[8] The Barleycorn,[8] Anthony Kearns,[8] The Irish Tenors,[9] Donna Taggart (Celtic Lady, 2011),[10] The High Kings (Grace & Glory, 2016),[11] and Chloë Agnew (Reimagined, 2019)[12][13][8] Jim McCann recorded an album Grace and other Irish Love Songs in 1986.[14]

In 2016 a recording was made by an Irish band Glaslevin as a fund-raiser for Celtic F.C.'s ultras supporters group Green Brigade, and in February 2024 members of the group were being encouraged to sing the song as a gesture of support for Palestine, with a statement: "'Grace' is a song of love, hope, loss, pain, steadfastness, resistance and freedom. Join us at the start of the match to pay tribute to the fearless people of Palestine".[15][16]

The rights in the song are owned by former politician Donie Cassidy and his son Peter Cassidy.[6] In a poll to choose the Irish contributions to the EU Songbook, "Grace" was leading in the "Love songs" section at the midpoint of the poll with 27%, ahead of "She Moved Through the Fair" with 25%.[17] Publication of the songbook, with the chosen songs, has been repeatedly delayed but is expected for September 2024.[18]

The brothers Frank and Seán O'Meara, who wrote the song, are from Mullingar, County Westmeath. In 2024 they were given the Gradam Na hÉigse award for their "long-time commitment to Irish culture and heritage".[19]

References

  1. ^ a b "A Song Called Grace". RTÉ Archives. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  2. ^ "Seán O'Meara joins Rod Stewart on stage". Marketing.ie. 5 December 2019. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
  3. ^ O'Connor, Rachael (4 March 2021). "Who was Grace Gifford Plunkett? The heartbreaking true story behind the song 'Grace'". The Irish Post. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  4. ^ "Longest in the Charts". www.irishcharts.ie. The Irish Charts. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  5. ^ Collins, Liam (5 March 2015). "The Dubliners' singer Jim McCann has passed away at age of 70". Irish Independent. Retrieved 21 September 2024. He had a big hit with the song Grace
  6. ^ a b c Farry, Rodney (17 August 2024). "Publishing rights to 'Grace' owned by local businessman". Westmeath Examiner. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
  7. ^ O'Connor, Rachael (9 December 2019). "Rod Stewart lays flowers at grave of Grace Gifford-Plunkett, subject of the song 'Grace', during visit to Ireland". The Irish Post. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  8. ^ a b c d "Grace – Song". The Celtic Wiki. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  9. ^ "Grace by The Irish Tenors". SecondHandSongs. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
  10. ^ "Grace by Donna Taggart". SecondHandSongs. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
  11. ^ "Grace by The High Kings". SecondHandSongs. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
  12. ^ ."Grace by Chloë Agnew". SecondHandSongs. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
  13. ^ "Song: Grace written by Frank O'Meara, Sean O'Meara". SecondHandSongs. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
  14. ^ Jim McCann – Grace And Other Irish Love Songs at Discogs
  15. ^ Berry, Gavin (16 February 2024). "Celtic fans urged to sing Grace in tribute to Palestinians". Daily Record. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  16. ^ "Everyone please sing Grace loud and proud". thecelticstar.com. 16 February 2024. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  17. ^ "Which Irish songs belong in the EU songbook?". RTE. 19 April 2018. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
  18. ^ "Good news on Europe Day!". Facebook. The European Union Songbook. 9 May 2024. Retrieved 22 September 2024. scheduled for publication 24.09.24,
  19. ^ Hussey, Sinéad (10 August 2023). "Brothers who wrote 'Grace' honoured in Mullingar". RTE. Retrieved 22 September 2024.