Powerful, milky smooth, rich baritone.

Dick Haymes (September 13, 19… Read Full Bio ↴Powerful, milky smooth, rich baritone.

Dick Haymes (September 13, 1918 – March 28, 1980) was one of the most popular American male vocalists of the 1940s and early 1950s.

He was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. His Irish-born mother, Marguerite Haymes (1894-1987), was a well-known vocal coach and instructor. He became the vocalist in a number of big bands, worked in Hollywood on radio and in many films throughout the forties and fifties.

He never became a United States citizen and avoided military service during World War II by asserting his non-belligerent status as a citizen of Argentina, which was neutral. Years later (1955), this act of his nearly caused his deportation to Argentina on an unrelated technicality in immigration law. During World War II, he was briefly detained at Ellis Island.

Haymes was married six times and had six children. His most famous marriages were to film actresses Joanne Dru (1941-1949) and Rita Hayworth (1953-1955). His daughter Stephanie Haymes was married to Sir Elton John's lyricist Bernie Taupin

He died in Los Angeles from lung cancer, at the age of 61.

How Are Things In Glocca Morra?
Dick Haymes Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I hear a bird, Londonderry bird,
It well may be he's bringing me a cheering word.
I hear a breeze, a River Shanon breeze,
It well may be it's followed me across the seas.
Then tell me please

How are things in Glocca Morra?
Is that little brook still leaping there?

Does it still run down to Donny cove?
Through Killybegs, Kilkerry and Kildare?

How are things in Glocca Mora?
Is that willow tree still weeping there?
Does that lassie with the twinklin' eye
Come smilin' by and does she walk away,

Sad and dreamy there not to see me there?
So I ask each weepin' willow and each brook along the way,

And each lass that comes a-sighin' too ra lay
How are things in Glocca Morra this fine day?

Overall Meaning

The song "How Are Things In Glocca Morra?" by Dick Haymes is a wistful and sentimental tune that sparkles with magic and hope. The lyrics are a series of questions that inquire about the charming Irish village of Glocca Morra, where the singer seems to have left his heart. The opening lines evoke a sense of anticipation and expectation as the singer hears a bird and a breeze that may bring news from Glocca Morra. He then asks about the little brook that runs down to Donny cove, the willow tree that weeps, and the lassie with the twinkling eye who comes smiling by but walks away sad and dreamy when she doesn't see him there.

Line by Line Meaning

I hear a bird, Londonderry bird,
I hear a bird, perhaps from Londonderry, and I hope it's bringing good news to me.

It well may be he's bringing me a cheering word.
That bird could very well be bringing me good news to lift my spirits.

I hear a breeze, a River Shanon breeze,
I also hear a breeze, maybe from the River Shanon, and I hope it's following me.

It well may be it's followed me across the seas.
That breeze might well have come with me across the seas.

Then tell me please
So please, can you tell me,

How are things in Glocca Morra?
how are things going in Glocca Morra?

Is that little brook still leaping there?
Is the small stream still jumping about in its place?

Does it still run down to Donny cove?
And is it still flowing down to Donny cove?

Through Killybegs, Kilkerry and Kildare?
Passing through the towns of Killybegs, Kilkerry and Kildare?

Is that willow tree still weeping there?
Is the willow tree still drooping and looking sad?

Does that lassie with the twinklin' eye
And what about that girl with the sparkly eyes?

Come smilin' by and does she walk away,
Does she come by with a smile, but then leave?

Sad and dreamy there not to see me there?
Feeling sad and lost because she doesn't see me there?

So I ask each weepin' willow and each brook along the way,
I'm asking every crying willow tree and every brook I pass by

And each lass that comes a-sighin' too ra lay
And every girl I meet that's sighing and singing the same tune

How are things in Glocca Morra this fine day?
How are things in Glocca Morra doing on this lovely day?

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Burton Lane, Edgar Yipsel Harburg

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

Vera Howard

2y↑1

I was about 2 years old when this song came out and my stepfather used to call my grandmother's place Glocca Morra. He had a victrola with a dog on it I remember RCA like a big horn attached to it and it played these records Decca. I remember the record said 33 I think 45 and 78. It was great to recall these memories.