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.
I'll Walk Beside You
John Mccormack Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
While dreams and songs and flowers bless your way
I'll look into your eyes and hold your hand
I'll walk beside you through the golden land
I'll walk beside you through the world tonight
Beneath the starry skies ablaze with light
Within your soul love's tender words I'll hide
I'll walk beside you through the passing years
Through days of cloud and sunshine, joys and tears
And when the great call comes, the sunset gleams
I'll walk beside you to the land of dreams
The song "I'll Walk Beside You" by John McCormack is a romantic ballad that expresses the sentiment of unconditional love and companionship. The lyrics convey the idea of a lover who is dedicated to being with their partner through life's joys and sorrows. The constant repetition of "I'll walk beside you" further emphasizes the strength and steadfastness of this commitment. In the first verse, the lover promises to accompany their partner through the world, ensuring their journey is filled with dreams, songs, and flowers. They pledge to hold their partner's hand and look into their eyes as they traverse the golden land, a metaphor for a idyllic and happy life.
In the second verse, the setting shifts to the night sky, and the lover promises to be with their partner through the darkness as well. The stars and their radiance symbolize hope and light, which the lover promises to bring into their partner's life. In the third verse, the singer continues to emphasize the longevity of their love, remaining by their partner's side through the years, through joy and heartbreak. Finally, in the last verse, the tone shifts to a more morbid one, hinting at mortality and the inevitability of death. However, even in the face of the great call that summons people to the land of dreams, the lover promises to be with their partner, walking beside them towards eternity.
Overall, the lyrics of this song communicate a message of deep love that transcends time, space, and even death. The ultimate message is that true love is unwavering and endures forever.
Fact 1: "I'll Walk Beside You" is a British wartime song written by Alan Murray and composed by Edward Lockton, with lyrics first published in 1939.
Fact 2: The song was originally composed for the musical "Kathleen Mavourneen" and was sung by Julie Andrews.
Fact 3: Its popularity surged during the Second World War as it became the unofficial anthem for soldiers and their loved ones.
Fact 4: The song's title appears in the poem "I Carry Your Heart With Me" by E.E. Cummings.
Fact 5: John McCormack's version of the song became one of his most popular recordings.
Fact 6: The song has been covered by several other artists, including Vera Lynn, Gracie Fields, and James Last.
Fact 7: The song has been used in several films, such as the 1949 British film "The Blue Lamp" and the 2014 Australian film "The Water Diviner."
Fact 8: The song has also been used in television shows, including the British series "Hovis Advert" and the American sitcom "Will & Grace."
Fact 9: The song was performed by contemporary artists Katherine Jenkins and Alfie Boe at the London 2012 Olympics Closing Ceremony.
Fact 10: In 2018, the song was performed by Michael Ball at the funeral of TV presenter Dale Winton.
Chords:
Verse 1:
G D7 G B7
I'll walk beside you through the world today
C B7 Em A7
While dreams and songs and flowers bless your way
D B7 Em A7
I'll look into your eyes and hold your hand
D G D7 G
I'll walk beside you through the golden land
Verse 2:
G D7 G B7
I'll walk beside you through the world tonight
C B7 Em A7
Beneath the starry skies ablaze with light
D B7 Em A7
Within your soul love's tender words I'll hide
D G D7 G
I'll walk beside you through the eventide
Verse 3:
G D7 G B7
I'll walk beside you through the passing years
C B7 Em A7
Through days of cloud and sunshine, joys and tears
D B7 Em A7
And when the great call comes, the sunset gleams
D G D7 G
I'll walk beside you to the land of dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
I'll walk beside you through the world today
I will be your companion on this journey through the world today
While dreams and songs and flowers bless your way
As we walk, we will be surrounded by beautiful dreams, sweet songs and gorgeous flowers all along the way
I'll look into your eyes and hold your hand
I will be there for you, holding your hand and looking into your eyes with love and affection
I'll walk beside you through the golden land
Together we will travel through a magical, golden land filled with wonder and excitement
I'll walk beside you through the world tonight
Even as night falls upon us, I will remain by your side, as we continue our journey through the world
Beneath the starry skies ablaze with light
As we walk, we will be surrounded by the brilliant light of stars twinkling in the sky above
Within your soul love's tender words I'll hide
I will protect your heart and soul with my love and affection, expressed through kind and gentle words
I'll walk beside you through the eventide
As the sun sets and darkness falls, I will remain with you, walking beside you through the eventide
I'll walk beside you through the passing years
As time passes us by, I will stay by your side, as we navigate the highs and lows of life together
Through days of cloud and sunshine, joys and tears
Through all of life's ups and downs, whether good times or bad, happy or sad, I will be there walking beside you
And when the great call comes, the sunset gleams
When our time on this earth comes to an end and the sun sets on our lives, I will still be with you, walking beside you
I'll walk beside you to the land of dreams
Together we will walk into the next phase of our journey, the land of dreams
Writer(s): Alan Murray, Edward F. Lockton
Contributed by Kaitlyn W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@skyflyxgd3573
I'll walk beside you through the world today
While dreams and songs and flowers bless your way
I'll look into your eyes and hold your hand
I'll walk beside you through the golden land
I'll walk beside you through the world tonight
Beneath the starry skies ablaze with light
Within your soul love's tender words I'll hide
I'll walk beside you through the eventide
I'll walk beside you through the passing years
Through days of cloud and sunshine, joys and tears
And when the great call comes, the sunset gleams
I'll walk beside you to the land of dreams
@jeanmilne2054
My dad sang this song to my mum on their Wedding Day 27th April, 1942. She died in 1997 and he in 1999.
@blahblah1438
My dad passed away this past Monday and I was there and I kept playing when Irish eyes are smiling, it was his favorite
@brianocallaghan7172
lovely post diane
@adastra123
May he and the rest of you be at peace. The heartache can be a testament to their character.
@blahblah1438
@@adastra123 thank you
@josephdelaney330
@@blahblah1438 My father just passed too and he used to sing Sally Gardens by McCormack.
@blahblah1438
@@josephdelaney330 Thank you for sharing I’m sorry about your dad
@sentimentaloldme
John McCormack one of the greatest tenors that ever lived. My Dad saw him live singing in front of over a million people at the Eucharistic Congress of Dublin, Ireland in 1932.
@jessicafrizell3212
My parents attended the Eucharistic Congress in 1932 but I can’t remember if they shared that wonderful experience of seeing John McCormack- I hope so ❤
@leonardmcneill7594
What a singing talent, this great Irish tenor. Unlike some modern singers his diction is perfect. You can clearly hear every word sung.