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.
Then You'll Remember Me
John Mccormack Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Their tales of love shall tell,
In language whose excess imparts
The power they feel so well:
There may, perhaps, in such a scene,
Some recollection be
Of days that have as happy been,
And you'll remember me!
When coldness or deceit shall slight
The beauty now they prize,
And deem it but a faded light
Which beams within your eyes;
When hollow hearts shall wear a mask,
'Twill break your own to see:
In such a moment I but ask
That you'll remember me!
These lyrics are from the song Then You'll Remember Me, sung by John McCormack. The song talks about love and its fleeting nature. McCormack says that when other people talk about their love stories and their tales of love, it will remind the person who once loved them of the happy times they shared. Even if the person has moved on and found new love, they will still remember the love they once had with McCormack.
The second verse talks about how people can be deceitful, especially when it comes to love. When people realize that the love they once felt has faded, they will look back on it with regret. McCormack asks that in that moment when people realize they have been deceived, he only asks that they remember him.
Overall, the lyrics express McCormack's desire to be remembered fondly by someone who has moved on from their past relationship. It is a bittersweet reminder of how love can be both beautiful and painful, and how the memories of past love can linger long after the relationship has ended.
Line by Line Meaning
When other lips and other hearts
When others speak of affection
Their tales of love shall tell,
Their stories of love shall unfold
In language whose excess imparts
Overflowing with emotion
The power they feel so well:
The intensity of their emotions
There may, perhaps, in such a scene,
In that moment perhaps
Some recollection be
You may recall
Of days that have as happy been,
Of just as joyful times
And you'll remember me!
And remember me!
When coldness or deceit shall slight
When you may be mistreated
The beauty now they prize,
The qualities they now admire
And deem it but a faded light
And consider it tarnished
Which beams within your eyes;
The radiance in your eyes
When hollow hearts shall wear a mask,
When others pretend to care
'Twill break your own to see:
It will crush you to witness
In such a moment I but ask
In that instance, I only request
That you'll remember me!
That you remember me!
Writer(s): Balfe
Contributed by Hudson G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Tauntboot
When other lips and other hearts ... their tales of love shall tell ...
In language whose excess imparts ... the pow'r they feel so well ...
There may perhaps in such a scene ... some recollection be ...
Of days that have as happy been ... and you'll remember me ...
And you'll remember, you'll remember me ...
When coldness or deceit shall slight ...
The beauty now they prize ...
And deem it but a faded light ... which beams within your eyes ...
When hollow hearts shall wear a mask ... 'twill break your own to see ...
In such a moment I ... but ask ... that you'll remember me ...
That you'll remember, that you'll remember me.
@ieatmayo4962
Mr. Crawford Starrick,
is the Templar Order from Paris. We have been told about your cousin and we are very sorry. But our mission cannot wait. Remember London is needed for our cause.
P.S
May the Father of Understanding guide us.
Sincerely
Grand Master William De La Pierre De Serre III
@mimosaschneider9016
I 'm always amazed that McCormack would get a thumbs down. Grew up hearing this man. His voice is love to me.
@johndevine174
My thoughts as well...how could anyone not like his wonderful voice...don't care about the clicks and noises on the recording, his voice shines through...
@brucejackson4219
We often have people pressing "dislike"for our favourite songs: some genuine, other mischievous. John McCormack my # 1 5 stars male classical singer.
@Tauntboot
When other lips and other hearts ... their tales of love shall tell ...
In language whose excess imparts ... the pow'r they feel so well ...
There may perhaps in such a scene ... some recollection be ...
Of days that have as happy been ... and you'll remember me ...
And you'll remember, you'll remember me ...
When coldness or deceit shall slight ...
The beauty now they prize ...
And deem it but a faded light ... which beams within your eyes ...
When hollow hearts shall wear a mask ... 'twill break your own to see ...
In such a moment I ... but ask ... that you'll remember me ...
That you'll remember, that you'll remember me.
@user-py1jg6bb2r
beautiful song, touching voice, this will never grow old...
@maureenmartin4730
A great singer effortless and you can hear every word.
@stevekirby1090
Balfe wrote some great songs. I was a teenager in the 60s. The Beatles inspired me to be a song writer, but i also embrace music from the 1840s. Did Henry Vlll really write Green Sleaves?
@EdmundStAustell
Glad you found it! It's a real beauty. I've always loved this aria; it's such a classic of the genre, and nobody but nobody can sing it like Mc Cormack.
@rogerpropes7129
Nonsense, Felix Knight does it better in 1935, but Simon Madden tries a little too hard here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6A6mKjYEm-g
@amadhaun22
Fabulous! I first heard this air 50 years ago, and it remains fresh as ever.