Grace • Derek Warfield & the Young Wolfe Tones • 2024 New Jersey Irish Festival - Oceanport, NJ

Renowned Irish folk/rebel band Derek Warfield & the Young Wolfe Tones cover "Grace," Seán & Frank O'Meara's bittersweet, timeless ballad about Irish nationalist Seosamh Máire Pluincéid [Joseph Mary Plunkett (1887-1916)] and Grace Gifford, who he married a mere 7 hours before his execution at Kilmainhaim Gaol in Dublin.
Derek Warfield has been responsible for the preservation of the tradition of Irish ballad singing over the past 55 years. The story of Ireland continues with his valued ambassadors that comprise his Young WolfeTones.
Musicians in this performance include Derek Warfield, Andreas Durkin [lead vocals], Eddie Kane, Brent Hopper, and Dan Foster.
Recorded live Sunday June 9th in Oceanport, NJ at the 52nd New Jersey Irish Festival at Monmouth Raceway. 2024 RadiantLlamaCinema.
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 dark 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 GPO
I had to leave my own sick bed, to him I had to go
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 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