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.
Keep the Home Fires Burning
John Mccormack Lyrics
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They were called in from the glen,
And the country found them ready
At the stirring call for men.
Let no tears add to their hardships
As the soldiers pass along,
And although your heart is breaking
Make it sing this cheery song
Keep the Home Fires Burning,
While your hearts are yearning,
Though your lads are far away
They dream of home.
There's a silver lining
Through the dark clouds shining,
Turn the dark cloud inside out
'Til the boys come home.
Overseas there came a pleading,
"Help a nation in distress."
And we gave our glorious laddies
Honour bade us do no less,
For no gallant son of freedom
To a tyrant's yoke should bend,
And a noble heart must answer
To the sacred call of "Friend."
Keep the Home Fires Burning,
While your hearts are yearning,
Though your lads are far away
They dream of home.
There's a silver lining
Through the dark clouds shining,
Turn the dark cloud inside out
'Til the boys come home.
The song "Keep the Home Fires Burning" was written by Ivor Novello in 1915, during the early stages of World War I. The lyrics are a call to the families of soldiers to be strong and carry on while their men are off fighting in the war. The first verse speaks of the soldiers being called up from remote areas, and the country finding them ready for battle.
The second verse speaks of the nation's duty to aid those in distress, referring to the call for British soldiers to fight in World War I. It speaks of the nobility of fighting for freedom and the importance of answering the call to fight for one's country.
The chorus of the song, which is the most recognizable part, encourages those left at home to keep their spirits up and to believe that their loved ones will return home safely. The reference to the silver lining represents hope, and the dark cloud represents the sadness and fear that comes with war.
Overall, the song is a tribute to the strength and determination of the British people during a difficult and trying time in their history.
Line by Line Meaning
They were summoned from the hillside
The soldiers were called forth from their natural habitat, the hills.
They were called in from the glen
The soldiers were called in from the deep, narrow valley.
And the country found them ready
The soldiers were prepared for war and responded to the call of their country.
At the stirring call for men.
The soldiers answered the exciting call for men to serve their country in war.
Let no tears add to their hardships
The soldiers face enough difficulties, please do not add to them by shedding tears.
As the soldiers pass along,
As the soldiers march forth, continue to be brave.
And although your heart is breaking
Even though your heart is heavy with worry and sadness.
Make it sing this cheery song
Uplift your spirit and joyously sing this song.
Keep the Home Fires Burning,
Maintain the warm and welcoming atmosphere of home.
While your hearts are yearning,
While your hearts long for the safe return of your loved ones.
Though your lads are far away
Even though your sons are fighting battles away from home.
They dream of home.
They long for the comfort and familiarity of their homes.
There's a silver lining
Despite the challenges and difficulties presented by the war, there is a positive aspect.
Through the dark clouds shining,
The positive aspect shines through the difficulties.
Turn the dark cloud inside out
Reverse the negativity and turn it into positivity.
'Til the boys come home.
Until the safe return of your loved ones, maintain your positivity and hope.
Overseas there came a pleading,
From distant lands, there came a request for aid.
"Help a nation in distress."
Assist a nation that is in dire need of help.
And we gave our glorious laddies
We sent our wonderful young men to fight for others who needed their help.
Honour bade us do no less,
Out of a sense of duty and honour, we did not hesitate to send our young soldiers to aid others.
For no gallant son of freedom
Because no noble and fearless son of freedom.
To a tyrant's yoke should bend,
Should succumb to the oppression of a ruthless leader.
And a noble heart must answer
A brave and righteous heart cannot ignore the plea for help from those in need.
To the sacred call of "Friend."
To the impassioned and solemn call for aid from a friend in need.
Lyrics © Anthem Entertainment, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: IVOR NOVELLO, LENA GUILBERT FORD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind