Nenagh songwriter shocked over use of his song during Trump inauguration

Nenagh songwriter, Brendan Graham, was surprised this week to learn that his song 'O, America' was performed during Donald Trump's presidential inauguration in Washington DC on Monday. 

The 79-year-old, who was born in Nenagh, told RTÉ that he didn't have the "slightest idea" that his song was to be used during the event. He only found out about the performance when he began receiving texts alerting him to the fact whilst out on a walk, so it's safe to assume his permission was never asked.

Brendan's song was sung by American tenor, Christopher Macchio, though it was originally written for Irish group Celtic Woman, who released it in 2009.

Graham told RTÉ he collaborated with American producer William Joseph in LA to write the song many years ago. Speaking about what inspired the song, he said: 

"I was walking the corridor of the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel heading for a showcase by American composer William Joseph and I heard this tune wafting out from some room and then discovered it was a melody called Sweet Remembrance of You. I asked William would he allow me to put a lyric to it, which he agreed."

"It seemed to suggest itself as a love song….but an anthemic love song to America. Most of it came fairly readily but to finish it was a bit of a wrestling match."

Some of Brendan's other songwriting hits include 'Rock 'n' Roll Kids' first released by Charlie McGettigan and Paul Harrington and 'You Raise Me Up' most notably sang by Josh Groban.