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.
Terence's Farewell to Kathleen
John Mccormack Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All alone by myself in this place,
But I'm sure that you'll never deceive me,
Oh, no, if there's truth in that face.
Though England's a beautiful country,
Full of illigant boys, oh, what then
You'll never forget your poor Terence,
Och, those English deceivers by nature
Though may be you'd think them sincere,
They'll say you're a sweet charming creature,
But don't you believe them, my dear;
No, Kathleen, agra! don't be minding
The flattering speeches they'd make,
Just tell them a poor lad in Ireland
Is breaking his heart for your sake.
It's a folly to keep you from going,
Though, faith, tis a mighty hard case
For, Kathleen, you know there's no knowing
When next I may see your sweet face,
And when you come back to me, Kathleen,
None the better shall I be off, then
You'll be speaking such beautiful English,
Oh, I won't know my Kathleen again.
Oh, now, where's the need of this hurry,
Don't fluster me so in this way
I forgot 'twist my grief and the flurry,
Every word I was meaning to say.
Just wait now a minute, I bid you
Can I talk if you bother me so?
Oh, Kathleen, my blessings go with you,
Ev'ry inch of the way that you go.
The song's title, "Terence's Farewell to Kathleen," suggests that it is a farewell from a man named Terence to his beloved, Kathleen. The lyrics of the song paint a picture of Terence's sorrow and anxiety at the prospect of Kathleen leaving him to go to England. He professes his love for her, and declares that he believes in her loyalty, but warns her not to be deceived by the flattery of Englishmen. Despite his deep love for Kathleen, Terence recognizes that he cannot keep her from pursuing her dreams, and he bids her farewell with a heavy heart.
The lyrics capture the emotions and struggles of countless Irish immigrants who left their homeland for better opportunities but remained deeply connected to their roots and the loved ones they left behind. The chorus expresses the pain of separation and the hope of reunion, while the verses provide details of the specific circumstances that trigger these emotions. It is a poignant and timeless song of love, loss, and resilience.
Line by Line Meaning
So, my Kathleen, you're going to leave me
Terence is acknowledging that Kathleen is leaving.
All alone by myself in this place
Terence is recognizing that he will be alone without Kathleen.
But I'm sure that you'll never deceive me,
Terence trusts Kathleen and knows she won't deceive him.
Oh, no, if there's truth in that face.
Terence believes that Kathleen can't lie to him because she has an honest face.
Though England's a beautiful country,
Terence recognizes England's beauty.
Full of illigant boys, oh, what then
England has many attractive men.
You'll never forget your poor Terence,
Terence trusts that Kathleen will remember him.
You'll come back to old Ireland again.
Terence is confident that Kathleen will return to Ireland.
Och, those English deceivers by nature
Terence doesn't trust English people.
Though may be you'd think them sincere,
Despite their apparent sincerity, English people are often dishonest.
They'll say you're a sweet charming creature,
English people will flatter Kathleen.
But don't you believe them, my dear;
Terence warns Kathleen not to believe English flattery.
No, Kathleen, agra! don't be minding
Terence is telling Kathleen not to be swayed by flattery.
The flattering speeches they'd make,
English people will try to sweet-talk Kathleen.
Just tell them a poor lad in Ireland
Terence wants Kathleen to let others know that she has a poor Irish boyfriend.
Is breaking his heart for your sake.
Terence is devastated that Kathleen is leaving and wants her to know how much he loves her.
It's a folly to keep you from going,
Terence knows he can't stop Kathleen from leaving.
Though, faith, tis a mighty hard case
Terence is sad that Kathleen is leaving.
For, Kathleen, you know there's no knowing
Terence is aware that he doesn't know when he'll see Kathleen again.
When next I may see your sweet face,
Terence hopes to see Kathleen again soon.
And when you come back to me, Kathleen,
Terence is hopeful that Kathleen will return.
None the better shall I be off, then
Terence knows that he won't be any better off when Kathleen comes back.
You'll be speaking such beautiful English,
Terence is joking that Kathleen will become too English.
Oh, I won't know my Kathleen again.
Terence is playfully lamenting that Kathleen will change too much.
Oh, now, where's the need of this hurry,
Terence doesn't understand why Kathleen is in such a rush to leave.
Don't fluster me so in this way
Terence is flustered by Kathleen's haste.
I forgot 'twist my grief and the flurry,
Terence is so upset that he's forgetting what he wanted to say.
Every word I was meaning to say.
Terence had something important to say that he's forgetting.
Just wait now a minute, I bid you
Terence asks Kathleen to wait for a moment so he can gather his thoughts.
Can I talk if you bother me so?
Terence can't speak coherently when he's flustered.
Oh, Kathleen, my blessings go with you,
Terence gives Kathleen his blessings and wishes her well.
Ev'ry inch of the way that you go.
Terence hopes that Kathleen's journey is a safe and successful one.
Contributed by Muhammad F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.