- Music
- 07 Apr 23
The new single features lyrics penned by renowned Irish songwriter Brendan Graham, with music by Siúbhán Ní Ghríofa
As Ireland and the wider world marks the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement this weekend, lauded soprano Eimear Quinn and tenor Gavan Ring have joined forces to release a new single, 'Peace Upon This Land' – out tomorrow, April 7.
The song is a collaboration between composer Siúbhán Ní Ghríofa and lyricist Brendan Graham, who famously co-wrote the global hit 'You Raise Me Up'.
In some respects, 'Peace Upon This Land' is a response to Eimear's Eurovision-winning song 'The Voice', which was also penned by Brendan.
"I am the voice of the past that will always be," she sang in 1996, two years before the Good Friday Agreement. "Filled with my sorrows and blood in my fields/ I am the voice of the future…bring me your peace…/ Bring me your peace… and my wounds they will heal."
Now, Eimear, along with Gavan and the Dublin Brass Ensemble, sings:
"There is peace upon this land/ When we in silence stand/ When you take my hand…/ There’s peace upon this land."
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One of the most renowned voices of her generation, Eimear made her international debut in 1996, when she won the Eurovision with 'The Voice'. Her career has since taken her around the world – singing for Queen Elizabeth II, Pope Frances, President Michael D. Higgins and more.
Gavan, meanwhile, hails from Co. Kerry – and is the younger graduate to complete doctoral studies at the Royal Irish Academy of Music.
The ensemble features some of Ireland's leading brass, string and percussion musicians, including members of the National Symphony and the RTÉ Concert Orchestra.
'Peace Upon This Land' is set to featuring on the upcoming album, Breath Upon the Flame. Listen to the song below: