After singing at weddings for a few years, he joined with several other choristers to form a group named The Mistletones in 1980. He also sang the national anthems at Toronto Blue Jays and Toronto Maple Leafs games since 1988 and continues to do so. From 1984 through 1992 he worked as a circulation representative for the Toronto Sun, Conrad Black heard him singing at company parties. Black, along with other executives, financed McDermott's independent recording of "Danny Boy" in 1992, which was picked up and released in North America by EMI Music Canada. Following this unexpected success, McDermott decided to pursue a professional singing career.
John has annual concerts world wide, and can be seen from Toronto, to Boston, to New York, to Glasgow.
McDermott performed his first concert at the Rebecca Cohn Theatre on October 5, 1993 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. From there he continued to tour the rest of Canada, performing as an opening act for The Chieftains. Throughout 1994 he went on a tour of Australia and New Zealand, following the great success of Danny Boy, which had been ranked Number 1 on the charts there and achieved triple platinum in New Zealand. Next, in 1995 he went on a tour of the United Kingdom with The Seekers.
At this point in his career he was becoming recognized internationally, so he started to tour regularly as a solo act rather than an opening act. He also appeared at several special events including the D-Day ceremonies in France in 1995, and the US Democratic National Convention in 1996. He has also appeared on TV several times, both as a host of CBC Television concert specials in 1997, and in his own television special titled John McDermott: A Time to Remember which aired on PBS in 2002.
McDermott formed The Irish Tenors and after performing a large concert in Dublin, Ireland in 1998, they spent some time touring the US, appearing on TV, and releasing a gold record.
Since leaving The Irish Tenors, McDermott continues to tour extensively throughout the World, performing with his own group and with the great symphonies of the world. He continues to work to support the veteran community in the United States and in Canada. In 2000 McDermott dedicated McDermott House in Washington DC, a transitional home for homeless veterans. His latest release Journeys-Bringing Buddy Home was recorded to help support fundraising for Fisher House Boston and launch the Canadian initiative for an outreach centre for Canadian Veterans.
Sweet Sister Mary
John McDermott Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I hear that you're planning on leaving from here
And I fear that it's true there's a great empty space
Faces are crying all over the place
Stay mary stay
Tears and the rain and the dew occupy
The valley sweet mary where you say goodbye
Sweet mary your plan to allow me one wish
Stay mary stay
The sun never shines o'er this valley
The mountains are crying all day
The trees never change from the autumn
Since mary said mary can't stay away, away, away
Sweet sister mary the church closed the doors
The men's brooms are sweeping the tears from the floors
And I know you'll be missed but I think we'll survive
Mary sweet mary may I say good-bye
Bye mary bye
Bye mary bye
Bye mary bye
The song "Sweet Sister Mary" by John McDermott revolves around a plea to Mary, imploring her not to leave. The lyrics evoke a sense of desperation, as the singer expresses his fear at the prospect of her leaving. He highlights the resulting sorrow that would ensue, with faces crying all over the place, and a profound emptiness that would be left. The repeated refrain of "Stay mary stay" reinforces his plea for her to remain.
The second verse further paints a picture of desolation, where tears, rain, and dew occupy the valley, and where the singer received the news of Mary's plan to leave. He mentions how even a fish told him about it while he waited in the rain. However, despite the bleakness, there is a glimmer of hope in the notion that Mary would grant the singer one final wish. This, too, is repeated in the refrain, further emphasizing the singer's plea for Mary to stay.
The final verse alludes to the church closing its doors, with men sweeping the tears from the floor. The singer acknowledges that Mary will be missed, but seems resigned to the fact that life must go on. The repetition of "Bye mary bye" serves as a poignant farewell.
Overall, the lyrics to "Sweet Sister Mary" are packed with emotion, conveying a sense of sadness, desperation, and ultimately resignation. Despite the song being relatively short, it manages to leave a lasting impression, through its poignant lyrics and captivating melody.
Line by Line Meaning
Sweet sister mary what is this I hear
I heard that you plan on leaving, Mary. Can you confirm or deny this?
I hear that you're planning on leaving from here
Rumours say, Mary, that you're planning to leave this place.
And I fear that it's true there's a great empty space
If those rumours are true, then there will be a great emptiness in our hearts because of your departure, Mary.
Faces are crying all over the place
There are people everywhere, Mary, who cry at the thought of your leaving.
Stay mary stay
Please reconsider your plans and remain here, Mary.
Tears and the rain and the dew occupy
The land is wet with rain, dew and tears, Mary.
The valley sweet mary where you say goodbye
You'll be saying goodbye to this beautiful valley, Mary.
Now while under the rain I was told by a fish
Even a fish that I saw while outside in the rain told me something meaningful, Mary.
Sweet mary your plan to allow me one wish
The fish said, Mary, that you're considering granting me one wish before you leave.
Stay mary stay
Despite the fish's message, Mary, please reconsider and stay here with us.
The sun never shines o'er this valley
This valley is always dark and gloomy, Mary.
The mountains are crying all day
Even the mountains are mourning, Mary, and we hear their cries every day.
The trees never change from the autumn
The trees remain barren, Mary, and don't change even throughout the year's seasons.
Since mary said mary can't stay away, away, away
Since you already said, Mary, that you definitely can't stay with us any longer, our misery remains.
Sweet sister mary the church closed the doors
Mary, the church has closed its doors for the day.
The men's brooms are sweeping the tears from the floors
The men are working to sweep up the tears shed, Mary.
And I know you'll be missed but I think we'll survive
Although we'll certainly miss you Mary, life will go on despite your absence.
Mary sweet mary may I say good-bye
May I, Mary, say goodbye to you?
Bye mary bye
Goodbye, Mary.
Bye mary bye
Goodbye, Mary.
Bye mary bye
Goodbye, Mary.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ShyMoonheart
So beautiful. Both voices blend together so well. LOVE IT.
@BeppeTV
Un'alba bellissima, proprio come la dolce canzone che hai proposto. Ottimo video! *****
@jamesmontgomery3839
Wow
@LadyGreyCarolyn
+James Montgomery Thanks for your comment!
@ADonovan43
Saying good-by when the sunshine in your life is dormant,and the dawn of each new day is dreary with pain and suffering.This is what the poor in America have to look forward to,because they have no health insurance!THIS WILL HAPPEN BECAUSE OF THE CORPORATE PARROTS WHO SIT ON THE SUPREME COURT BENCH.Take care ADonovan43