Bryn Terfel Jones was born in Pantglas, North Wales, the son of a farmer (he knew of another Welsh baritone named Delme Bryn-Jones, so Terfel chose Bryn Terfel as his professional name). Terfel had an interest in and talent for music from a very young age. A family friend taught him how to sing, starting with traditional Welsh songs. After winning numerous competitions for his singing, Terfel moved to London in 1984 and entered the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, from which he graduated in 1989, winning the Gold Medal. He came in second behind Dmitri Hvorostovsky in the Cardiff BBC Singer of the World Competition the same year, though won the Lieder Prize.
In 1990, Terfel made his operatic début as Guglielmo in Così fan tutte at the Welsh National Opera, and later in the same season he sang the title role in The Marriage of Figaro, a role with which he made his debut with the English National Opera in 1991.
Terfel made his United States début as Figaro at the Santa Fe Opera. In 1992, he made his Royal Opera House, Covent Garden début as Masetto in Don Giovanni, with Thomas Allen in the title role. Terfel's international breakthrough came when he sang Jochanaan in Strauss's Salome at the 1992 Salzburg Festival. Terfel went on to make his début as Figaro at the Vienna State Opera. That year, he also signed an exclusive recording contract with Deutsche Grammophon, and returned to the Welsh National Opera to sing Ford in Falstaff. In 1993, he recorded the role of Wilfred Shadbolt in The Yeomen of the Guard, by Gilbert and Sullivan. Terfel has said that he would like to record "an album of Gilbert and Sullivan arias."
In 1994, Terfel sang Figaro at Covent Garden, and made his Metropolitan Opera début in the same role. He also sang Mahler's Eighth Symphony at the Ravinia Festival under the baton of James Levine. However, back surgery in 1994 (and again in 2000) prevented him from performing in several scheduled events. In 1996, Terfel expanded his repertoire to include Wagner, singing Wolfram in Tannhäuser at the Metropolitan Opera, and Stravinsky, singing Nick Shadow in The Rake's Progress at the Welsh National Opera.
In 1997, Terfel made his La Scala début as Figaro. In 1998, Bryn had a recital at Carnegie Hall which included works by Wolf, Fauré, Brahms, Schumann, Schubert, and others. In 1999, Terfel performed in Paris the title role of Don Giovanni for the first time. That year, Terfel also debuted in the title role in Falstaff at the Sydney Opera House for Opera Australia and then performed the same role at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
Get Me To The Church On Time
Bryn Terfel Lyrics
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A few more hours before I tie the knot
There'll be drinks and girls all over London
And I gotta track 'em down in just a few more hours
I'm gettin' married in the morning
Ding, dong, the bells are gonna chime
Pull out the stopper, we'll have a whopper
I got to get there in the morning
Spruced up and lookin' in my prime
Girls come and kiss me, say that you'll miss me
But get me to the church on time
If I am dancing roll up the floor
If I am whistling right out the door
I got to get there in the morning
Ding, ding, dong, they're gonna chime
Kick up a rumpus, don't lose your compass
Get me to the church, get me to the church
Pete's sake, get me to the church on time
If I'm flyin' then shoot me down
If I'm wooin' get the girl right out of town
I got to get there in the morning
Ding, ding, dong, they're gonna chime
Punch me and jail me, stamp me and mail me
But get me to the church, get me to the church
Pete's sakes, get me to the church on time
On time, on time, on time
Bryn Terfel's song "Get Me To The Church On Time" is a lively and upbeat tune that speaks about a man who is racing against time to get to the church in the morning to tie the knot. The lyrics begin with the singer expressing his anxiety about the few hours left before he gets married. He also acknowledges that there will be lots of drinks and girls around, but he has to find a way to locate the church on time.
The song progresses with the singer's plea to his friends and any passerby to help get him to the church on time. He's worried about being late, but at the same time, he wants to look his best and have a memorable time with his friends before settling down. The chorus is a repetition of the need to get to the church on time, and in the second verse, he asks for his friends to dance with him and have a great time before he gets married.
Overall, the lyrics of "Get Me To The Church On Time" showcase the singer's desire to have one last hurrah before settling down into married life. He feels the weight of the responsibility, but he also wants to have fun with his friends.
Line by Line Meaning
A few more hours, that's all the time I got
I have very little time until I get married
A few more hours before I tie the knot
I am going to get married soon
There'll be drinks and girls all over London
I plan on going out with my friends to have a good time before the wedding
And I gotta track 'em down in just a few more hours
I need to find my friends before it's too late
I'm gettin' married in the morning
My wedding is tomorrow morning
Ding, dong, the bells are gonna chime
The church bells will be ringing
Pull out the stopper, we'll have a whopper
Let's celebrate and have a good time
But get me to the church on time
I need to arrive at the church on time for my wedding
Spruced up and lookin' in my prime
I will be well-dressed and looking my best
Girls come and kiss me, say that you'll miss me
My female friends are saying goodbye and wishing me well
If I am dancing roll up the floor
If I start dancing, everyone join in
If I am whistling right out the door
If I start whistling, it's time to leave
Kick up a rumpus, don't lose your compass
Let's have a wild time, but don't forget where we need to be
Pete's sake, get me to the church on time
Please hurry and get me to the church on time
If I'm flyin' then shoot me down
If I'm acting too crazy, stop me
If I'm wooin' get the girl right out of town
If I'm flirting too much, remove me from the situation
Punch me and jail me, stamp me and mail me
Do whatever it takes to make sure I get to the church on time
But get me to the church, get me to the church
The most important thing is getting me to the church
Pete's sakes, get me to the church on time
Please hurry and get me to the church on time
On time, on time, on time
It's crucial that I arrive at the church on time
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Alan Jay Lerner, Frederick Loewe
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind