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.
The Kerry Dance
John Mccormack Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh the ring of the piper's tune
Oh for one of those hours of gladness
Gone alas like our youth too soon.
When the boys began to gather
In the glade of a summer's night
And the merry pipers tuning
Oh to think of it, oh to dream of it
Fills my heart with tears
Oh the days of the Kerry dancing
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"The Kerry Dance" is a nostalgic and wistful song that harks back to days of youth and joyous celebration. The lyrics evoke a sense of longing for the past, specifically for the atmosphere created by the traditional music and dancing of County Kerry in Ireland. In the first verse, the singer laments the passing of the enjoyable moments that were "gone alas like our youth too soon". It highlights the ephemeral nature of these experiences and how they can never be fully recaptured.
The second verse describes the communal aspect of the dances, with "boys" gathering in a "glade" for a "summer's night". The "merry pipers tuning" their instruments adds to the festive and carefree atmosphere, which prompts the singer to recall it in vivid detail. The repetition of "oh to think of it, oh to dream of it" emphasizes the emotional significance of these memories and shows how the singer is deeply affected by them. The whole song thus creates a powerful, poignant mood that looks back to a simpler, happier time.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh the days of the Kerry dancing
Reflecting on the joyous times of the Kerry dancing, a traditional form of Irish folk dance from County Kerry.
Oh the ring of the piper's tune
The sound of the piper's tune playing during the Kerry dancing, which added to the festive atmosphere.
Oh for one of those hours of gladness
The longing to experience the happiness and merriment of the Kerry dancing again, just for one hour.
Gone alas like our youth too soon.
The bittersweet sadness of reminiscing on these carefree times, which have passed by too quickly, contrasting with the reality of growing older.
When the boys began to gather
The start of the Kerry dancing, when the young men would congregate in the glade to join in the festivities.
In the glade of a summer's night
Setting of the Kerry dancing, which took place in the glade on warm summer evenings.
And the merry pipers tuning
The joyful sound of the pipers tuning their instruments before the dance began, signaling the start of the Kerry dancing.
Made us dance with wild delight.
The effect of the piper's tune on the dancers, who were filled with a sense of abandon and joy as they moved to the music.
Oh to think of it, oh to dream of it
The yearning to return to the joyful times of the Kerry dancing, often taking comfort in thoughts and dreams of those magical moments.
Fills my heart with tears
The deep emotions evoked by the memories of the Kerry dancing, leading to feelings of nostalgia, longing, and even sadness.
Contributed by Kylie H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@edpaul1434
My mother, who came from Co. Cork, used to sing this with real feeling. She knew many traditional Irish songs. John McCormack's voice is very strong and incredibly expressive.
@dbpgh
That would be great to hear!
@finnolough
Talented, and gifted! When John was created, the mold was probably thrown away. Love John's voice.
@phyllisramsey9531
Wonderful song! Nobody does it better than John McCormack.
@NickGeraghty
I remember this song with great affection. My late father, John Alfred Geraghty 1910-1985, used to sing this song in the same style, to me and my two brothers when we were kids in the mid-late 60's. We'd walk in a straight line in time with the changing pace of music & then without warning he would stop abruptly at the end of a phrase in the music and walk backwards and we'd have to match him and keeping in line only for him to stop again and revert to walking foward again!
Seemed like great fun at the time and must have been for me to remember it all these years later and it brings a tear to my eye when I hear it.
@garylynch9809
A gem from McCormack’s later recordings. I like it better than his 1915 record.
@fidelity52
My very favourite song recorded by McCormack.
@ardfert1
Kerry is a county in the south-west of Ireland. It is the second most popular county after Dublin for tourists .The main centers are Killarney and Dingle and I love to visit them. Killarney is my favorite,especially the National Park. There is a great musical tradition in Kerry and I am glad that John McCormack sang this song.
@folksurvival
It's really sad that it's being invaded now :-(
@catherinemcdonnell9161
Now, now, will you whist, will you!!