John Francis McCormack was born in Athlone, Ireland, the fourth of eleven children of Andrew and Hannah Watson on 14 June 1884, and was baptised in St. Mary's Church, Athlone on 23 June 1884. His father was employed in Athlone Woollen Mills.
John received his early education from the Marist Brothers in Athlone, and later attended Summerhill College, Sligo. In 1903 he won the coveted gold medal in the Dublin Feis Ceoil and it was this event which set him on his climb to success. John married Lily Foley in 1906 and the couple had two children Cyril and Gwen.
Fundraising enabled his voice to be trained under Sabbatini in Italy. In 1907 John McCormack made his first important operatic appearance at Covent Garden in Mascagni's Cavalleria Rusticana. By 1912 he began to turn his attention to the concert stage, where his voice quality and charisma ensured that he became the greatest lyric tenor of his day.
He made numerous recordings, the first on phonograph cylinder in 1904. His most commercially successful series of records were those for the Victor Talking Machine Company in the 1910s and 1920s. He was the first artist to record It's a Long Way to Tipperary, in 1914. He also regularly broadcast on the radio and appeared in a number of sound films.
In 1917 he became a naturalized citizen of the United States.
To many people the highlight of McCormack's Irish career was his singing of César Franck's Panis Angelicus to the thousands who thronged Dublin's Phoenix Park for the 1932 Eucharistic Congress.
He was much honoured and decorated for his services to the world of music. His greatest honour came in 1928, when he received the title Count from Pope Pius XI in recognition of his work for Catholic charities. Although he often came to be referred to as "Count John McCormack" in his professional life, this title was officially recognised within only the Catholic Church ever.
McCormack retired in 1944, and died the following year at his home in Glena, Booterstown, Dublin.
A Dream
John Mccormack Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Your eyes, they beam in the lilac time
Your winning smile
And cheeks blushing like the rose
Yet all the while, you sigh when nobody knows
Jeannine, my queen of lilac times
When I return, I'll make you mine
For you and I, our love dream can never die
The song "A Dream" is a romantic ballad that is sung from the perspective of someone who is deeply enamored with a woman named Jeannine. The singer describes their dreams of spending time with her during the lilac season, a time when the air is filled with the pleasant scent of blooming lilacs. He admires her beauty, particularly her eyes that seem to shine during this time of year, and her charming smile that gives her cheeks a rosy blush.
Despite her outward beauty, the singer suggests that Jeannine may be harboring some inner turmoil or sadness that she keeps hidden from the world. He expresses a desire to be the one to make her happy and promises to return to her so that they can be together forever. The song overall is a beautiful proclamation of love and devotion, culminating in the idea that their love is too strong to ever truly die.
Line by Line Meaning
Jeannine, I dream of lilac time
Jeannine, you constantly occupy my thoughts and dreams
Your eyes, they beam in the lilac time
Your eyes shine brightly during this time of year
Your winning smile
Your charming smile that wins over hearts
And cheeks blushing like the rose
And your rosy blushing cheeks that resemble a rose
Yet all the while, you sigh when nobody knows
But despite your happiness, you still have secret longings
Jeannine, my queen of lilac times
Jeannine, you are the ruler of this beautiful season
When I return, I'll make you mine
When I come back, I will make you mine forever
For you and I, our love dream can never die
Our love is eternal and will never fade away
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: L. WOLFE GILBERT, NATHANIEL SHILKRET
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@phyllisramsey9531
Excellent! John McCormack is a wonderful singer.
@TheUBIQUITOUS12
McCormack at his brilliant best. Nobody could handle this sort of sentimental ballad like him and lift it to perfection in the bel canto tradition.
@johnmacleod921
The greatest tenor of all time.
@TomElvisSmith
@TheUBIQUITOUS12 I am enjoying your comments very much!