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.
Three O'Clock in the Morning
John Mccormack Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We've danced the whole night through
And daylight soon will be dawning
Just one more waltz with you
That melody so entrancing
Seems to be made for us two
I could just keep on dancing forever dear with you
My heart keeps beating in time
Sounds like an old sweet love tune
Say that there soon will be a honeymoon
It's three o'clock in the morning
We've danced the whole night through
And daylight soon will be dawning
Just one more waltz with you
That melody so entrancing
Seems to be made for us two
I could just keep on dancing forever dear with you
The song "The O in 2-3" was originally written by lyricist Dorothy Fields and composer Arthur Schwartz in 1935. It was later popularized by Irish tenor John McCormack. The song is a romantic ballad that describes a couple that has danced the night away and wishes to have one more dance together. The time is three o'clock in the morning and the couple is experiencing a sense of timelessness and enchantment that is heightened by the melody playing in the background. The lyrics emphasize the couple's connection and the feeling that the melody was made especially for them.
The first verse establishes the setting -- it's three in the morning and the couple has been dancing all night. The second verse focuses on the melody and its entrancing quality. The third verse brings in the sound of the chime, which keeps time with the beating of the singer's heart. It increases the romantic tension by suggesting that the couple will soon be married ("there soon will be a honeymoon"). Finally, the fourth verse circles back to the beginning, repeating the first verse.
McCormack's performance of the song captures the dream-like quality of the lyrics through the use of his smooth, emotive voice. The melody is simple and timeless, with a waltz rhythm that invites the listener to be swept away by the romance of the lyrics. The song became popular during a time when waltzes were a popular form of ballroom dance, and its lyrics would have resonated with people who enjoyed the romantic atmosphere of ballroom dancing.
Line by Line Meaning
It's three o'clock in the morning
The night has gone on really long and it is getting quite late.
We've danced the whole night through
We have been dancing and enjoying each other's company all night long.
And daylight soon will be dawning
The night is almost over, and soon it will be morning.
Just one more waltz with you
I want to dance one last dance with you before the night is over.
That melody so entrancing
The music we're dancing to is beautiful and captivating.
Seems to be made for us two
The music sounds like it was written just for us, like it belongs to us.
I could just keep on dancing forever dear with you
I am so happy dancing with you that I could do it forever and never tire of it.
There goes the three o'clock chime, chiming, rhyming
The chime of the clock at three o'clock sounds like it is rhyming with the music we are dancing to.
My heart keeps beating in time
My heart is beating in time with the music and the rhythm of our dance.
Sounds like an old sweet love tune
The music we are dancing to sounds like a classic love song.
Say that there soon will be a honeymoon
The music and the magic of the night make it seem like we will soon be going on a romantic honeymoon together.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JULIAN ROBLEDO, DOROTHY TERRISS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jae
I first heard this song when my family moved into an old house almost 50 years ago, and there was a cabinet-style Victrola record player (estimated to be from around 1917) with a lot of old 76 rpm records in it. "Three O'Clock in the Morning" was one of those records, and I used to play it a lot until my parents sold the Victrola and the records with it. Always remembered it, and I am so glad to find it on-line. Thanks!
Rasarisal
I have this exact record. It's in far worse condition though. My family bought a Victrola and a ton of records a long time ago, and recently I went through them and found this one. Really nice to meet someone else who's heard this!
Corrie121
What a lovely rendition of this sweet song. Thank you for sharing.
duettists
How lovely to hear John McCormack singing this song.
Melissa Trent
My grandfather used to sing this all the time, great memories!
Joseph da Silva
This was when songs meant something not just full of expletives. Great Recording.
Jenn Palf
This is absolutely divine!
Malcolm Harper
The Great Gatsby brought be here as well as all of you! Great book, great song. I would love to of lived in the twenties! Can't wait for the movie to come out.
Phyllis Ramsey
Great version!!
bear6213
Thank you for posting this with the lyrics!