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.
Voyage
John McDermott Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We signed on together, we coupled our fate
We hauled up our anchor determined not to fail
For the heart's treasure together we set sail
Withnomaps to guide us we steered our own course
We rode out the storms when the winds were gale force
We sat out the doldrums in patience and hope
Working together we learned how to cope
Life is an ocean, love is a boat
In troubled waters it keeps us afloat
When we started the voyage
There was just me and you
Now gathered around us we have our own crew
Together we're in this relationship
We've built it with care to last the whole trip
Our true destination is not marked on any chart
We're navigating for the shores of the heart
Life is an ocean, love is a boat
In troubled waters it keeps us afloat
When we started the voyage
There was just me and you
Now gathered around us we have our own crew
Life is an ocean, love is a boat
In troubled waters it keeps us afloat
When we started the voyage
There was just me and you
Now gathered around us we have our own crew
The song "Voyage" by John McDermott describes a journey of love and life as a voyage on an ocean. The song begins by portraying the two people in love as sailors, with one being the captain and the other being the first mate. They have signed up together and set sail determined not to fail. They encounter storms and doldrums, but with patience and hope, they weather through it and learn how to cope together. The lyrics suggest that in any relationship, two people need to work together, have patience and learn how to deal with the difficult times, in such a way that it makes the relationship stronger.
The chorus of the song refers to life as an ocean, and love as a boat. The boat keeps the two people together and afloat in troubled waters. The two individuals might have started the voyage alone, but as they sailed together, others joined them on this journey; they have built their own crew, reflecting that a relationship may start with two individuals, but it grows and expands to include others around them. The song concludes with the idea that their journey does not have a definite destination marked on any map or chart. In such a journey, it is not about reaching a particular destination, but about navigating towards the shores of the heart.
Overall, the song is a beautiful metaphor for a relationship. It highlights the idea of two individuals building a relationship together through their journey of life. The song emphasizes the importance of working together, learning from each other, and facing challenges together, creating a strong relationship built on love and understanding.
Line by Line Meaning
I am a sailor and you're my first mate
I see us as partners heading out to sea
We signed on together, we coupled our fate
We made a commitment to each other and our journey together
We hauled up our anchor determined not to fail
We set out with the intention to succeed, and we won't be held back by anything
For the heart's treasure together we set sail
Our goal is to find what truly makes us happy and fulfilled in life, and we're doing it together
With no maps to guide us we steered our own course
We don't have all the answers, but we're figuring things out as we go along
We rode out the storms when the winds were gale force
We've faced and overcome difficult challenges together
We sat out the doldrums in patience and hope
We've endured times of waiting and uncertainty with faith that things will get better
Working together we learned how to cope
We've grown and evolved as a team, and we're better equipped to handle whatever comes our way
Life is an ocean, love is a boat
Life is unpredictable and can sometimes be tumultuous, but love helps us stay afloat
In troubled waters it keeps us afloat
Even when things get tough, our love for each other carries us through
When we started the voyage
There was just me and you
We began our journey alone, and together we've created something beautiful and meaningful
Now gathered around us we have our own crew
We've built a community of people who support us and share in our journey
Together we're in this relationship
We've built it with care to last the whole trip
We're committed to each other and our relationship, and we've put effort into making it strong and enduring
Our true destination is not marked on any chart
We're navigating for the shores of the heart
Our ultimate goal is not a physical place, but rather a deep sense of fulfillment and happiness in our hearts
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@oliverperryman7953
I remember reciting the lyrics at my parents wedding, at 7 I must have had some balls to do it infront of such a large crowd!!
@maryhudson7744
It is a beautiful song!
@ShadowCraft1195
This was played at my grandmothers funeral. makes me cry evertime. So beautiful.
@MrDebandkev
Had this song played at the church service for my parents 50th wedding anniversary...it suited us all to a tee ! Dad has since passed on but want to say Thank You John , for giving us such a memory to hold on to !
@cornerback4074
This is Johhny Duham and Christy Moore's song
@JingeBelle
My daughter and her husband had this song sung at their wedding 11 years ago. It is one of my favorites!
@felineperson3
I loved this song that was sent to us to play on our 55th anniversary-today. Am saving it for a memory to keep. Thanks, Melanie.
@maryhudson7744
This song kills me. My Dad dedicated it to my mother all the time. At there 50tj anniversary. He couldn’t he couldn’t even get through his speech. He was amazing and this song meant everything. He passed away in June. His wife of 57 years by his side. And this song. Thank you!
@stephenskinner7207
This song was played at my grandparent's 50th wedding anniversary; and it was really a treat. Awesome singing!
@MsPatricef
my parents danced to this at their 50th <3