In 1970 he turned professional and began playing bass guitar in ‘Margo and the Country Folk‚’ (Daniel O’Donnell's sister). Five years later he left to form his own band‚ ‘Band of Gold.’ In 1983 Frank made the decision to become a solo artist and was signed to Ritz records.
He has toured throughout Ireland as well as England, Europe and America. Frank still lives in Westport. He is married to Marie and they have two daughters, Triona and Elaine and a son Mark. Triona has followed her fathers musical footsteps and has written and performed the beautifull track‚ ‘It’s in The Way’ from Frank's latest CD ‚ ‘When I was a Lad'.
Grace
Frank McCaffrey Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I think about these past few weeks, oh will they say we've failed
From our schooldays they have told us, we must yearn for liberty
Still all I want in this dark place is to have you here with me.
Oh Grace just hold me in your arms ad 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
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 Padhraic 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 ad 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 goodbye.
Now as dawn is breaking, my heart is breaking too,
On this May morn as I walk out my thoughts well 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.
Oh Grace just hold me in your arms ad 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 isnt time to share our love for we must say goodbye.
There isnt time to share our love for we must say goodbye.
The song "Grace" tells a story of a man who is sentenced to be executed in the old Kilmainham Jail for his participation in the Easter Rising of 1916 in Ireland. As he gathers in the chapel with his fellow rebels, he reflects on the past few weeks, wondering if they will be remembered as failures. The man expresses his desire to be with his love, Grace, during this dark time. He knows that he will be taken out at dawn and put to death. The man then places a wedding ring on Grace's finger and acknowledges that there won't be time for them to share their love before he dies.
The lyrics display the man's strong love for his country, which brought him to join the Easter Rising despite his delicate health. He recognizes that it is difficult for Grace to understand the deep love he has for his dear land and the brave men who stood beside him in the rebellion. The man also worries that he will not have a chance to be with Grace in his final moments. But, nevertheless, he will leave her with something that reminds her of their love.
This song's story is a moving tribute to the rebel spirit of the Easter Rising and the sacrifices made by so many for their country. The lyrics are especially touching in that they depict a man's final moments with the love of his life. The song has been covered by numerous musicians over the years, including The Dubliners, The Wolfe Tones, and Jim McCann, among others. This track continues to resonate with Irish listeners and people everywhere who have a love for their country.
Line by Line Meaning
As we gather in the chapel here in old Kilmainham Jail
As we come together in this place of worship within the walls of Kilmainham Jail, I reflect on the past few weeks and wonder if our efforts will be seen as a failure.
From our schooldays they have told us, we must yearn for liberty
Since we were children, we have been taught to desire freedom and autonomy.
Still all I want in this dark place is to have you here with me.
Despite my confinement in this bleak place, all I long for is your presence and companionship.
Oh Grace just hold me in your arms ad let this moment linger
Oh Grace, please embrace me tightly and savor this moment with me.
They'll take me out at dawn and I will die
At dawn, I will be taken away and face my death.
With all my love I place this wedding ring upon your finger
With all my affection, I offer you this ring as a symbol of our matrimonial commitment and love.
There won't be time to share our love for we must say goodbye.
We will not have a chance to express our love for each other any longer because we bid each other farewell.
Now I know it's hard for you my love to ever understand
I realize that it is difficult for you, my beloved, to fully comprehend my love for these valiant men and my love for Ireland.
But when Padhraic called me to his side down in the GPO
However, when Padhraic summoned me to join him at the General Post Office, I had no choice but to leave my sickbed and answer his call.
Now as dawn is breaking, my heart is breaking too,
Now, as the sun rises on this fateful day, my heart is similarly breaking.
On this May morn as I walk out my thoughts well be of you
On this May morning, as I leave this cell for the last time, my thoughts will be solely of you.
And I'll write some words upon the wall so everyone will know
Before I leave, I will inscribe some words on the wall so others can know how much I loved this land and how much I suffered for Ireland's sake.
I love so much that I could see his blood upon the rose.
I loved this country so deeply that I would willingly see my own blood on the rose of Ireland.
There isn't time to share our love for we must say goodbye.
There simply isn't enough time left for us express our love for one another, as we must now bid one another farewell.
Contributed by Camden V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.