Sir James Galway OBE (born 8 December 1939) is a virtuoso flute player from… Read Full Bio ↴Sir James Galway OBE (born 8 December 1939) is a virtuoso flute player from Belfast, Northern Ireland, nicknamed "The Man With the Golden Flute".
Following in the footsteps of Jean-Pierre Rampal, he became one of the first flute players to establish an international career as a soloist.

Galway went to London as a teenager to study the flute.
He studied at the Royal College of Music under John Francis and then at the Guildhall School of Music under Geoffrey Gilbert.
He then studied at the Paris Conservatoire under Gaston Crunelle and Jean-Pierre Rampal and also privately with Marcel Moyse.

After his education time he spent fifteen years as an orchestral player.
Sir James Galway played with the Philharmonia Orchestra as it rose to prominence in the 1950s.
He auditioned for the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra under Herbert von Karajan, and was principal flute of that orchestra from 1969 to 1975.
To Karajan's surprise and dismay, after a period of some disagreement, "Jimmy" Galway decided that he would leave to pursue a solo career, which he succeeded in doing admirably.
He still performs regularly and is one of the world's leading classical flute players.

He is Principal Guest Conductor of the London Mozart Players, based at the Fairfield Halls, Croydon, South London.
And most recently, he performed for the Academy Award-winning ensemble recording the soundtracks of Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings film trilogy.

He now resides in Meggen, Switzerland, with his U.S.-born wife, Jeanne, also flute player. They often tour together playing duets, accompanied by Phillip Moll on piano.

Can't Help Falling In Love
James Galway Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Wise men say
Only fools rush in
But I can't help falling in love with you
Shall I stay?
Would it be a sin
If I can't help falling in love with you?

Like a river flows

Surely to the sea
Darling, so it goes
Some things are meant to be

Take my hand
Take my whole life, too
For I can't help falling in love with you

Like a river flows
Surely to the sea
Darling, so it goes
Some things are meant to be

Take my hand
Take my whole life, too

For I can't help falling in love with you
For I can't help falling in love with you

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to James Galway's song Can't Help Falling in Love describe the feeling of falling in love with someone despite knowing that it may be a foolish or sinful decision. The opening line "wise men say, only fools rush in" sets up the idea that falling in love quickly is a mistake. However, the singer admits that he cannot help falling in love with this person, asking "shall I stay? Would it be a sin?" The use of the word "sin" adds a layer of complexity to the song, implying that the singer may be going against his own beliefs to pursue this love.

The chorus of the song compares love to a river that flows naturally to the sea, signifying that falling in love with this person is a natural occurrence. The repetition of "some things are meant to be" emphasizes the idea that this love is predestined and unavoidable. The singer then takes a step further by offering his hand and his entire life to this person, fully committing himself to the love he cannot help feeling.

Overall, the lyrics to Can't Help Falling in Love describe the feeling of falling in love despite the potential risks and consequences. It acknowledges the wisdom of taking things slow, but ultimately embraces the natural force of love that cannot be denied.

Line by Line Meaning

Wise men say
Experienced people advise

Only fools rush in
Only people who lack understanding of the situation jump in blindly

But I can't help falling in love with you
Despite knowing the consequences, I cannot control my feelings for you

Shall I stay?
Should I continue being with you?

Would it be a sin
Is it morally wrong

If I can't help falling in love with you?
If my heart refuses to let go of you

Like a river flows
In a natural and consistent manner

Surely to the sea
The water will always find its way to the ocean

Darling, so it goes
My love for you follows a similar path as the river to the sea

Some things are meant to be
Certain events are destined and impossible to sway

Take my hand
Join me on this journey