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.
Bless This House
John Mccormack Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Make it safe by night and day . . .
Bless these walls so firm and stout,
Keeping want and trouble out . . .
Bless the roof and chimneys tall,
Let thy peace lie overall . . .
Bless this door that it may prove,
Ever open,
To joy and love . . .
Bless these windows shining bright,
Letting in God′s Heavenly light,
Bless the hearth, ablazing there,
With smoke ascending like a prayer!
Bless the people here within,
Keep them pure and free from sin . . .
Bless us all that we may be,
Fit O Lord to dwell with thee . . .
Bless us all that one day we may dwell,
O Lord! With Thee!
The song "Bless This House" by John McCormack is a prayerful anthem that asks for God's blessings and protection upon a home and its inhabitants. The lyrics highlight various elements of the house and its surroundings, emphasizing the desire for safety, peace, and love to flourish within its walls.
In the first verse, the plea is made to bless the house itself, both during the day and night. This prayer acknowledges the vulnerability that comes with darkness and expresses the hope for divine protection around the clock.
Moving into the second verse, the focus shifts to the physical aspects of the house, such as the walls. The walls are described as firm and stout, symbolizing strength and stability. The request for blessings on the walls is a plea for them to serve as a barrier against want and trouble, suggesting a desire for security and a peaceful living environment.
The third verse brings attention to the roof and chimneys, which are symbolic of the entire overhead structure of the house. Asking for God's peace to lie overall signifies the desire for a harmonious and tranquil atmosphere within the home. It emphasizes the idea that the presence of God should be felt in every corner of the house.
The final verse focuses on the more intimate aspects of the home. The door is asked to remain open to joy and love, suggesting a desire for an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere. The windows are described as shining bright, symbolizing the entry of God's heavenly light and the hope for clarity and enlightenment within the home. The hearth, where a fire burns, is likened to a prayer, acknowledging its warmth and the important role it plays in creating a comforting and sacred space within the house.
The last two lines of the song express the ultimate prayer: to keep the people who reside within the house pure and free from sin. This request embodies the hope for moral guidance, virtue, and righteousness. The final plea is for all the occupants to be fit to dwell with God, suggesting the aspiration for spiritual growth and a close connection with the divine.
Overall, "Bless This House" is a prayerful song that seeks divine blessing and protection for a home and its inhabitants. It highlights the desire for safety, peace, love, and spiritual purity within the household, ultimately hoping for a harmonious and sacred dwelling place where the presence of God is felt.
Line by Line Meaning
Bless this house, O Lord we pray,
We humbly ask for your blessings upon this home, dear Lord.
Make it safe by night and day . . .
Grant us the security and protection we need, both during the day and throughout the night.
Bless these walls so firm and stout,
Bestow your blessings upon these strong and sturdy walls, guarding us against hardships and troubles.
Keeping want and trouble out . . .
May these walls shield us from any lack or difficulties that we may encounter.
Bless the roof and chimneys tall,
Extend your blessings to the roof and tall chimneys, covering our home with your divine peace.
Let thy peace lie overall . . .
May your tranquil and serene presence envelop our entire household.
Bless this door that it may prove,
Grant your blessings to this door so that it serves as an entryway for joy and love.
Ever open,
Always welcoming and accessible.
To joy and love . . .
Allow happiness and affection to enter our home freely.
Bless these windows shining bright,
Shower your blessings upon these radiant windows, inviting in the divine light of God.
Letting in God's Heavenly light,
Permitting the illumination of God's celestial radiance to fill our home.
Bless the hearth, ablazing there,
Bestow your blessings upon the fireplace, radiating warmth and comfort.
With smoke ascending like a prayer!
As the smoke rises like a prayer, bless our home and all its inhabitants.
Bless the people here within,
Grant your blessings to everyone residing within this home.
Keep them pure and free from sin . . .
Guide and protect the individuals here, leading them on a virtuous and sinless path.
Bless us all that we may be,
Bestow your blessings on each of us so that we become worthy of your presence.
Fit O Lord to dwell with thee . . .
Allow us, O Lord, to be suitable to dwell with you in eternal union.
Bless us all that one day we may dwell,
Grant your blessings to each of us, so that one day we may reside
O Lord! With Thee!
in your divine presence, dear Lord!
Writer(s): By May H. Brahe, Music Helen Taylor
Contributed by Nathan J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@liambrazil5963
Just added a copy of this 78 to my collection !
@jeanmcgrath4856
My heard my mother sing Bless this house 🏡. when I was a 👶 I think it’s very beautiful
@1969Wilus
That is a period piece indeed!
@angebrowne1730
Thank you.
My dad had this 78rpm.
@hugoguevara6719
Mama Mina kulak use to play in the piano that song and now I'm crying she was 99 year old when she flew to heaven. ..... :(
@augustinedennis4865
Excellent.beutyfull