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.
Kathleen Mavourneen
John Mccormack Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The lark from her light wing the bright dew is shaking,
Oh, hast thou forgotten how soon we must sever?
Oh, hast thou forgotten this day we must part?
It may be for years, and it may be forever,
Then why art thou silent, thou voice of my heart?
It may be for years and it may be forever,
The blue mountains glow in the sun's golden light.
Ah! Where is the spell that once hung on thy numbers,
Arise in thy beauty, thou star of my night!
Mavourneen, mavourneen, my sad tears are falling,
To think that from Erin and thee I must part!
It may be for years, and it may be forever,
Then why art thou silent, thou voice of my heart?
It may be for years and it may be forever,
The lyrics of John McCormack's Kathleen Mavourneen tell the story of a man who is deeply in love with a woman named Kathleen. He describes the idyllic scene around them, with the horn of the hunter being heard on the hill and the lark shaking the bright dew from its wings. However, he cannot shake the sadness he feels at the thought of having to part with Kathleen, as they may not see each other for years or maybe even forever. He implores Kathleen to speak to him, as she is the voice of his heart, and he longs to hear her words one last time.
The man mentions the blue mountains glowing in the sun's golden light, perhaps describing the beauty of their surroundings and what they are leaving behind. He asks Kathleen to arise in her beauty, as she is the star of his night, meaning his guiding light and source of comfort during dark times. The chorus repeats the idea that they may be apart for years or forever, and the man's tears fall as he contemplates leaving Kathleen and Erin, the poetic name for Ireland.
Line by Line Meaning
The horn of the hunter is heard on the hill.
The sound of the hunter's horn echoes across the hill.
The lark from her light wing the bright dew is shaking,
The lark's wings stir the dew on the ground as she flies.
Oh, hast thou forgotten how soon we must sever?
Have you forgotten that we must part soon?
Oh, hast thou forgotten this day we must part?
Have you forgotten that today is the day we must part?
It may be for years, and it may be forever,
Our separation may last for a long time, or it may be permanent.
Then why art thou silent, thou voice of my heart?
Why are you not speaking, my beloved?
It may be for years and it may be forever,
Our separation may last for a long time, or it may be permanent.
The blue mountains glow in the sun's golden light.
The mountains appear blue in the light of the setting sun.
Ah! Where is the spell that once hung on thy numbers,
Where is the enchantment that was once held in your words?
Arise in thy beauty, thou star of my night!
Rise up in your beauty, my guiding star!
Mavourneen, mavourneen, my sad tears are falling,
My dear one, my dear one, I am crying tears of sadness.
To think that from Erin and thee I must part!
To think that I must leave you and our homeland of Ireland!
It may be for years, and it may be forever,
Our separation may last for a long time, or it may be permanent.
Then why art thou silent, thou voice of my heart?
Why are you not speaking, my beloved?
It may be for years and it may be forever,
Our separation may last for a long time, or it may be permanent.
Contributed by Madelyn W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
The Monke
Kathleen Mavourneen the gray dawn is breaking
The horn of the hunter is heard on the hill
The lark from her light wing the bright dew is shaking
Kathleen Mavourneen what slumbering still
Oh have you forgotten how soon we must sever?
Oh have you forgotten this day we must part?
It may be for years and it may be forever
Oh why are you silent thou voice of my heart?
It may be for years and it may be forever;
Then why are you silent Kathleen Mavourneen?
Kathleen Mavourneen awake from thy slumbers
The blue mountains glow in the sun's golden light
Ah! Where is the spell that once hung on my slumbers?
Arise in thy beauty thou star of my night
Mavourneen, Mavourneen my sad tears are falling
To think that from Erin and thee I must part
It may be for years and it may be forever
Then why are you silent thou voice of my heart
It may be for years, and it may be forever;
Then why are you silent, Kathleen Mavourneen?
Walawuliguili
“Towards the end of the evening, we all sat around the piano. And Myra played that song there, that was the one she played. Maybe for years, maybe forever, I'll never forget that. You know how it was, Pete. Winn was like a brother to me. Remember? Towards the end of the evening, things got a little rough. We both began to... well, there were a lot of tears. I went over to Hancock. I took him by the shoulder. I said, ‘Winn, so help me, if I ever raise my hand against you, may God strike me dead.’ “
phantomwriter05
smoking pipe
Yep ...
debbie94510
One of my favorite scenes from my favorite movie of all time....
john finck
This scene, and this song, has stayed with me since I first encountered it many years ago in the film Gettysburg. Both are burned into my memory. It upsets me when people make disparaging comments about actors or musicians, making them out to be useless divas. Some are, no doubt...but most are dedicated people, without whom life would be a gray and dull thing. This song is beautiful, and that scene you quoted from is also beautiful. So the next time you hear someone spouting some populist rant about how "useless" actors or musicians, or even art itself is, remember this song, and this movie. As far as I'm concerned, life without beauty and art wouldn't be worth living.
Lucas Decker
@john finck that scene made me hate the civil war and wish it never happened. The fact they died defending a ancient practice of slavery is such a shame. We lost so much valuable talent and skill in that war. Those generals were some of America's greatest and it was a shame to watch them fight each other. That war never should have happened. I hope one day they make a monument park away from everything and let their statues be together no color to either, let them be in peace together.
k Denton
@Lucas Decker I believe with all my heart dear Luke, that God will make that happen someday...and perhaps sooner then we think. My precious Mother had this very album and now it is in my possession. God our Father created only beauty and one bright morning in His time we shall all be together perhaps singing this song for 'ol times sake...those that believe in His Loving Son that gave His all for all. 🌹💔
k Denton
Thank You so much for putting this song on here. My dear Mother named me after this song by John Mccormack, and Daddy said ok and I'll think of the song, "I'll Take You Home Again Kathleen". We have both albums but now we can't listen to any records because they don't make the wonderful sound like they did with everything hooked up to great speakers and what was called a Tuner/Amplifier. Thank You Again! 💖🌹🏞️
Shea maria
I was named after this song. My dad still calls me mother ireland ❤ it's beautiful!
The Monke
Kathleen Mavourneen the gray dawn is breaking
The horn of the hunter is heard on the hill
The lark from her light wing the bright dew is shaking
Kathleen Mavourneen what slumbering still
Oh have you forgotten how soon we must sever?
Oh have you forgotten this day we must part?
It may be for years and it may be forever
Oh why are you silent thou voice of my heart?
It may be for years and it may be forever;
Then why are you silent Kathleen Mavourneen?
Kathleen Mavourneen awake from thy slumbers
The blue mountains glow in the sun's golden light
Ah! Where is the spell that once hung on my slumbers?
Arise in thy beauty thou star of my night
Mavourneen, Mavourneen my sad tears are falling
To think that from Erin and thee I must part
It may be for years and it may be forever
Then why are you silent thou voice of my heart
It may be for years, and it may be forever;
Then why are you silent, Kathleen Mavourneen?
Chris Murphy
Where is the spell that once hung on THY NUMBERS--not "my slumbers."