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.
The Lark In The Clear Air
John McDermott Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dear thoughts are in my mind
And my soul soars enchanted
As I hear the sweet lark sing
In the clear air of the day
For a tender beaming smile
To my hope has been granted
All my fond heart would say
I should tell her all my love
All my soul's adoration
And I think she will hear me
And will not say me nay
It is this that gives my soul
All its joyous elation
As I hear the sweet lark sing
In the clear air of the day
The lyrics of John McDermott's "The Lark in the Clear Air" is a deeply personal and sentimental tribute to the singer's sister Margaret. The song speaks about the singer's state of mind, with dear thoughts filling his head and his soul soaring in enchantment as the sweet lark sings in the clear air of the day. The singer's hope has been granted, and with a tender beaming smile, he will tell Margaret all his love and all his soul's adoration when he sees her tomorrow. He believes that his sister will hear him and will not deny him. The singer's soul is blessed with joyous elation as he listens to the sweet lark sing in the clear air of the day.
The song is a perfect ode to the beauty of nature, which has the power to uplift the human spirit and bring joy and happiness to the heart. The lark's continuous and melodious singing is a reminder that life can be beautiful and peaceful, despite all its challenges and tribulations. The song's message is clear; love and beauty are all around us if we take the time to stop and listen. It's a reminder to cherish our loved ones and be grateful for the simple things in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Dear thoughts are in my mind
My mind is full of loving thoughts
And my soul soars enchanted
My spirit is lifted and charmed
As I hear the sweet lark sing
The sound of the beautiful bird brings me joy
In the clear air of the day
The bird's song is pure in the clear daylight
For a tender beaming smile
I received a smile of affection
To my hope has been granted
My wish has been fulfilled
And tomorrow she shall hear
The one I love will hear me tomorrow
All my fond heart would say
I will tell her all my loving words
I should tell her all my love
I must express my deep love for her
All my soul's adoration
My soul's worship and admiration
And I think she will hear me
I believe she will listen to me
And will not say me nay
And she will not reject me
It is this that gives my soul
This experience brings me
All its joyous elation
All its joyful excitement
As I hear the sweet lark sing
While I hear the melodious bird sing
In the clear air of the day
In the pure light of day
Contributed by Zoe N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Mary McDonnell
Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful piece. I am in tears here listening to it remembering it as the theme tune for Ciarain's radio programme RTE 1. We always listened in on a Sunday morning. when this tune would be playing we would normally be getting dressed for Mass.
Jean De Eves
Riverchapel Mass?
Patrick Gannon
I first heard this tune 40 years when I came to Dublin aged 9. It was the tune to the RTE Sunday radio programme "Mo Cheol Thu" presented by Ciarán Mac Mathúna (meaning 'you are my music') that my late Father would wake me up to for mass every Sunday. It entrails me that this beautiful tune has never left me & of beautiful memories gone by. Hearing it again now 30 years on brings me back to my youth & to learn of its history & story. Thank you.
Radharc Anu
A wonderful and evocative tune that stirs so many childhood memories as I listen this morning , and mourning the passing of an elderly uncle of the generation that made everything possible for the rest of us without fuss or complexity. Thank you for the music..
canadianwingshooter
My favorite Irish air. brings me back to Sunday mornings too, reminds me of my late father; chokes me up. Nothing more to say, it's perfect.
Donal Smith
Ah. A set of YouTube comments that I can get with. A little oasis. So nice to see that a few people share that Sunday morning nostalgia. Glad that they do. No-one can ever touch it. This tune will probably give me goosebumps for the rest of my life.
John Thornhill
A beautiful tune which reminds me of my dad who passed away recently.
Mick Dunne NWGA head mod
Sorry for your loss@ John Thornhill.I know how you feel
Sophie Lewis-Jones
I'm so sorry my dad passed away 5 years to so I know how you feel
Junkzul
A beautiful tune. Ciaran MacMathuna was my dear uncle, married to my late dad's sister, Dolly Mac Mathuba. A lovely lady.