The song "Grace" is about Grace Gifford and Joseph Mary Plunkett, executed for his party in the Rising of 1916. The last line of the third verse is taken from a poem written by Plunkett. I stumbled across the poem in a recently acquired re-publication of a 50-year old anthology. Here it is for those interested.I SEE HIS BLOOD UPON THE ROSE Joseph Mary Plunkett (1887-1916)
I see his blood upon the rose
And in the stars the glory of his eyes,
His body gleams amonh eternal snows,
His tears fall from the skies.I see his face in every flower;
The thunder and the singing of the birds
Are but his voice- and carven by his power
Rocks are his written words.All pathways by his feet are worn,
HIs strong heart stirs the ever-beating sea,
His crown of thorns is twined with every thorn,
His cross is every tree.