I have some questions about this beautiful tear-jerker (I give it 2 stars, BTW) Anthony Kearns does on the Irish Tenors album. I haven't been able to find much on the web, yet.

The song concerns the 1916 Rebellion and, in the second verse, he replaces the name Pádhraic (Pearse) with the word 'glory', which leaves some of the later lines somewhat strange and unresolved. This seems odd, since the show was produced in Dublin. Is this just another example of P.C. in action?

I don't believe the song is old, but I'd like to find out the source of the words and music.

Also, does anyone know if the speaker is presumed to be a specific (real) person, and if so, who he is?

Thanks for your help........Tiger

Grace
Performed by Anthony Kearns, Irish Tenors, Dublin

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

CHORUS
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 place this wedding ring upon your finger,
There won't be time to share our love for we must say good-bye.

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 Pádhraic 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.

CHORUS

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 love so much that I could see his blood upon the rose.

CHORUS

(There won't be time to share our love for we must say good-bye.)