LISTENING IN: A new take on a cherished Irish classic

With the stunning backdrop of the Cliffs of Moher, new talents Meadhbh (Maeve) Walsh and Sina Theil combine on the cherished Irish ballad “Grace.” They’re believed to be the first female duo to do the song, which is best known by Irish band the Wolfetones, though even Rod Stewart once gave it a go.

The powerful ballad tells the true story of Grace Gifford and Joseph Plunkett, who were married in Kilmainham Gaol hours before he was executed by firing squad for his role in the Easter Rising of 1916.

The Irish Post notes that “everyone knows the song” – more so now since Walsh and Teils’ version hit No. 1 in Ireland in April, bumping Beyonce out of the spot.

The women paired up, they say, to highlight the female role in Irish music and history, and, as such, sing it from Grace’s point of view, rather than the traditional male perspective.

Lyrics

As we gather in the chapel, here in old Kilmainham Gaol,
I think about these past few weeks, or will they say we failed?
From our school days, they have told us we must yearn for liberty
Yet all I want in this olive place is to have you here with me.

Oh Grace, just hold me in your arms and let this moment linger
They’ll take me out at dawn and I will die
With all my love, I’ll place this wedding ring upon your finger,
There won’t be time to share our love, for we must say goodbye

Now I know it’s hard for you my love to ever understand
The love I bear for these brave men, my love for this dear land
But when Padraic called me to his side, down in the G.P.O.
I had to leave my own sick bed, to him I had to go.

Now as the dawn is breaking, my heart is breaking too
On this May morn as I walk out, my thoughts will be of you
And I’ll write some words upon the wall so everyone will know
I loved so much that I could see His Blood Upon The Rose

Oh Grace, just hold me in your arms and let this moment linger
They’ll take me out at dawn now I must die
With all my love, I’ll place this wedding ring upon your finger,
There won’t be time to share our love, for we must say goodbye

Oh, there won’t be time to share our love, for we must say goodbye