Grace (Jim McCann song) explained

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

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),[6] Foster and Allen, John McDermott, The Barleycorn, Anthony Kearns, The Irish Tenors,[7] Donna Taggart (Celtic Lady, 2011),[8] The High Kings (Grace & Glory, 2016),[9] and Chloë Agnew (Reimagined, 2019)[10] [11] [12] Jim McCann recorded an album Grace and other Irish Love Songs in 1986.

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".[13] [14]

The rights in the song are owned by former politician Donie Cassidy and his son Peter Cassidy.[15] 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%.[16] Publication of the songbook, with the chosen songs, has been repeatedly delayed but is expected for September 2024.[17]

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".[18]

External links

Notes and References

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

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