As a young man, McCann attended University College Dublin as a student of medicine, but became interested in folk music during a summer holiday in Birmingham in 1964. He began to perform in folk clubs in the area, and, upon his return to Dublin, he joined a group called the Ludlow Trio in 1965. In the following year, the Ludlow Trio had a hit with their recording of Dominic Behan’s “The Sea Around Us”, which reached number one in the Irish charts.
The Ludlow Trio broke up in the following year, and McCann began a solo career, releasing an album, McCann, and making several appearances on several folk programmes for Telefis Éireann.
Amongst other pursuits, he spent the next few years involving himself in theatrical productions (starting with Maureen Potter's "Gaels of Laughter" in 1968), and he toured throughout Ireland and Britain. He released a second album, McCanned, made a television special called Reflections of Jim McCann, and then hosted a series called The McCann Man.
It was on The McCann Man that he met fellow folk artist, Luke Kelly of The Dubliners. During this appearance, Kelly did his only televised performance of the Phil Coulter song "Scorn Not His Simplicity", a song that he chose to perform sparingly out of respect to the subject matter (Coulter's intellectually disabled son).
McCann subsequently performed alongside Kelly in the original cast of Jesus Christ Superstar in 1973, in the role of Peter. In April 1974 Kelly asked McCann to join The Dubliners temporarily, to replace Ciaran Bourke during a period of illness. However, he became a permanent member soon afterwards, when Ronnie Drew left the group to pursue a solo career. McCann remained with The Dubliners until the end of 1979, during which he toured incessantly, also recording several albums with the group.
He did rejoin The Dubliners in 2002 for their 40th anniversary tour and later at Vicar Street in 2012 for their 50th.
In recent years he has continued to perform, tour, and record music as a solo artist, appearing on many television shows (particularly on RTÉ) and achieving success with albums including From Tara to Here and singles such as “Grace”. He rejoined the Dubliners in 2002 for their 40th anniversary album, but during the subsequent tour was diagnosed with throat cancer. Although treatment for the illness was successful, the damage to his voice left him unable to sing. However, he still collaborated with the Dubliners by taking the photographs for them, appearing as a compere in their concerts, and sometimes playing the guitar. During the Dubliners' last concert in December 2012, he performed with them as a guitarist.
Jim's death was announced by his family on 5 March 2015. He had been battling throat cancer for some time.
Grace
Jim Mccann Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I think about these past few weeks, oh will they say we failed?
From our schooldays, 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 Padraig called me to his side, down in the GPO
I had to leave my own sick-bed, to him I had to go.
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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.
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The lyrics of Jim Mccann's song "Grace" depict a powerful and tragic love story set in Kilmainham Gaol, a former prison in Dublin, Ireland. The singer begins by reflecting on his current situation, gathering with his fellow rebels in the chapel while awaiting their execution. He laments the possibility of failure and yearns for the presence of his beloved Grace, rather than the liberty which he has been taught to desire. The chorus echoes this sentiment, as he longs for her embrace in this desperate moment. The second verse provides more context for his devotion to the cause, as he explains that he was called by Padraig to leave his own illness in order to join the rebellion at the General Post Office.
The final verse is the most emotionally charged, as the singer prepares to meet his fate. As he walks out into the dawn, he is consumed with thoughts of Grace, whom he will never have the chance to marry or live a life with. He decides to leave a final message for her and for all to see on the prison wall, expressing the depth of his love and the pain of his loss. The haunting line "his blood upon the rose" underscores the symbolism of sacrifice and patriotism, as the rebel's struggle for independence was famously intertwined with the image of the Easter lily.
As a whole, the song "Grace" is a poignant tribute to the sacrifice of the Irish rebels, specifically Joseph Plunkett and Grace Gifford. Plunkett was a poet and revolutionary who played a key role in the Easter Rising of 1916, while Gifford was an artist and illustrator who shared his passion for Irish independence. The two were briefly married in the chapel of Kilmainham Gaol just hours before Plunkett's execution, a fact that Mccann's song often draws attention to. "Grace" has become something of an anthem for the Irish nationalist movement, and has been covered by artists such as the Pogues and Celine Byrne.
10 Interesting Facts about "Grace":
1. The song was written by an Englishman named Frank and Sean O'Meara, who were inspired by the story of the 1916 Easter Rising.
2. The song was first recorded in the 1980s by Jim McCann, a former member of The Dubliners.
3. The lyrics went through a few changes before the final version was recorded, including the addition of the second verse.
4. The song was controversial when it was first released, as some people objected to the romantic portrayal of the rebels.
5. After covering the song, Shane MacGowan of The Pogues was interviewed by the BBC and ended up using profanity on live television, causing a national scandal.
6. There is a plaque dedicated to Joseph Plunkett and Grace Gifford in the chapel of Kilmainham Gaol, where they were married.
7. A film called "Grace" was made in 2018, which tells the story of the couple's courtship and marriage.
8. The song has been covered by a wide range of artists, including Christy Moore, Julie Fowlis, and Moya Brennan.
9. "Grace" has been used in several films and television shows, including "The Wind That Shakes The Barley" and "Peaky Blinders".
10. The song has become a popular choice at weddings and funerals, due to its emotional content and beautiful melody.
Chords:
Line by Line Meaning
As we gather in the chapel here, in old Kilmainham Gaol
I am reflecting on our present location at Kilmainham Gaol, and gathering with my fellow prisoners.
I think about these past few weeks, oh will they say we failed?
In this moment I reflect on the events of the recent weeks; my thoughts linger on whether our struggle for Irish independence will be considered a failure.
From our schooldays, they have told us, we must yearn for liberty
From the beginning of our education, we have been taught that the most important pursuit is freedom.
Yet all I want, in this dark place, is to have you here with me.
Despite this focus on idealism and sacrifice, all I truly desire in this dark and lonely place is to be with my beloved Grace.
Oh, Grace, just hold me in your arms, and let this moment linger
In a moment of vulnerability, I desperately crave human connection and intimacy with my love, Grace.
They'll take me out at dawn, and I will die.
I am aware that my impending execution is inevitable, and I will soon be put to death at dawn.
With all my love, I'll place this wedding ring upon your finger
As a symbol of my undying love for Grace, I will place a wedding ring on her finger before my death.
There won't be time to share our love, for we must say goodbye.
Our time together is short, and we will not have the opportunity to fully share our love before we must part ways.
Now I know it's hard for you, my love, to ever understand
I understand that my love for Ireland and its independence struggle may be difficult for Grace to comprehend and relate to.
The love I bear for these brave men, my love for this dear land.
My heart is filled with love for the courageous men fighting for Ireland's independence, and the land itself.
But when Padraig called me to his side, down in the GPO
I was called to the General Post Office by Padraig Pearse to participate in the Easter Rising, despite my own illness.
I had to leave my own sick-bed, to him I had to go.
Despite being unwell, I could not resist the call to join in the fight for Irish independence.
Now as the dawn is breaking, my heart is breaking too
As the day begins to dawn and my moment of execution approaches, my heart is heavy and filled with sorrow.
On this May morn, as I walk out, my thoughts will be of you
As I prepare to leave this world, my thoughts will be consumed by my beloved Grace.
And I'll write some words upon the wall, so everyone will know
In an act of defiance and legacy, I will write words upon the wall so that future generations will know of the sacrifice made for Irish independence.
I loved so much that I could see, his blood upon the rose.
My love for Ireland and the men who fought for its freedom was so great that I could see their blood on the symbol of the nation - the rose.
Writer(s): Sean O'meara, Frank O'meara Copyright: Bardis Music Usa Attn: Peter Bardon
Contributed by Adeline P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@nathalyanascimento5443
As we gather in the chapel here in old Kilmainham Gaol
I think about these past few weeks, 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 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 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:
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 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 love so much that all I could see his blood upon the Rose.
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 goodbye
@katelynntownsley5243
Song was played at my daddy’s funeral on the 1st of march this year only 52 💔 love you daddy😢💔💔
@seawinds12
love from donegal
@AMcAleese
💚
@nickconlon4297
Your father was sent of properly.
@eoghanlenihan2384
Played this song as my Dad was brought to the crematorium....Still puts a lump in my throat every time....Miss you Dad.
@maireadphelan1602
I remember this song finbar fury
@moirahill6397
Ahh. My heart goes out to you 💔 ❤️
@andynova1
😢😢😢
@johncollins8700
In memory of my wife babs you were my greatest grace ♥️
@garethmorgan7160
I do not know you my friend but I am sorry for your loss Erin go Bragh ..May the grace of God shine in you and guide you through your suffering ❤️