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.
When You Wish Upon a Star
John Mccormack Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They possess a gift or two
One of them is this
They have the power to make a wish come true
When you wish upon a star
Makes no difference who you are
Anything your heart desires will come to you
If your heart is in your dream
No request is too extreme
When you wish upon a star
As dreamers do
Fate is kind
She brings to those who love
The sweet fulfillment of their secret longing
Like a bolt out of the blue
Fate steps in and sees you through
When you wish upon a star
Your dreams come true
When you wish upon a star
Makes no difference who you are
Anything your heart desires will come to you
If your heart is in your dream
No request is too extreme
When you wish upon a star
As dreamers do
Fate is kind
She brings to those who love
The sweet fulfillment of their secret longing
Like a bolt out of the blue
Fate steps in and sees you through
When you wish upon a star
Your dreams come true
The song "When You Wish Upon A Star" by John McCormack is a beautiful and nostalgic piece that has a universal message of hope and positivity. The lyrics explain how stars have the power to make our wishes come true, and if we put our heart and soul into our dreams, fate will take us on the right path. The song encourages the listener to pursue their dreams without fear of failure and to have faith in the power of their desires.
The phrase, "When You Wish Upon a Star," was actually introduced to audiences in Walt Disney's classic 1940 film, "Pinocchio," where it was sung by Jiminy Cricket. The song became a beloved anthem and was later covered by numerous singers across different genres.
The lyrics describe how when a star is born, it possesses a gift or two, one of which is the power to make a wish come true. The song reassures the listener that it doesn't matter who they are; anyone's heart's desire will come to them if they keep dreaming and believing. The line “no request is too extreme” emphasizes the importance of aiming high and expressing our deepest desires, no matter how big or small they may seem.
The song's significance lies in its timeless message of optimism, hope, and belief in the power of our dreams. It reminds us that if we stay committed and hopeful, fate has a way of intervening and making things happen in our favor. The song also highlights the importance of perseverance and celebrating the small victories along the way.
Overall, "When You Wish Upon a Star" is a delightful song that offers comfort, encouragement, and motivation to listeners, no matter what stage of life they may be in. Its message resonates with people of all ages and backgrounds and continues to inspire generations of dreamers.
Line by Line Meaning
When a star is born
Stars have special powers
They possess a gift or two
Stars have innate abilities
One of them is this
One of the abilities stars have is to grant wishes
They have the power to make a wish come true
Stars can make your wishes come true
When you wish upon a star
When you make a wish to a star
Makes no difference who you are
It doesn't matter who you are
Anything your heart desires will come to you
Your wishes will come true, regardless of what they are
If your heart is in your dream
If you really desire something
No request is too extreme
Even if your wish seems impossible, it can be granted
As dreamers do
Just like all dreamers
Fate is kind
Destiny is benevolent
She brings to those who love
Good things happen to those who love
The sweet fulfillment of their secret longing
Their deepest desires are fulfilled
Like a bolt out of the blue
Sudden and unexpected
Fate steps in and sees you through
Destiny comes to your aid
When you wish upon a star
When you make a wish to a star
Your dreams come true
Your wishes are granted
Lyrics © Sentric Music
Written by: Leigh Harline, Ned Washington
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Annie Helman
Definitely the golden touch! Even in his late recordings McCormack's incomparable charm shines through. Thank you for sharing this gem.
Irish Mike
Annie, thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it!!
mark32646
I`m glad you`ve posted these songs, I intended to, but forgot, amazing how McCormack could elevate any song to an unimagined level.
Irish Mike
Thanks, Mark! I think for John McCormack to have recorded these was unusual, but he really turns them into gold!! I posted as a medley because it didn't seem right to to have one without the other!
Phyllis Ramsey
How delightful! This has made my day!😄 Thanks for sharing.
Irish Mike
Thank you, Keith! You and I have been listening for about the same length of time......that's about when I heard the album "John McCormack Sings Irish Songs". I've been hooked ever since!! Please subscribe and check out my other McCormack videos.....you may find some others you never heard!
Keith Kurtzer
Heartfelt and beautiful...I've been listening to J.M. since 1974 and never heard Little Wooden Head before...Thank you so much, Mike
Irish Mike
You're very welcome!!! Happy to have made your day!!
gmmix
An absolute delight...and a rather rare disc. Try to buy a copy somewhere! THANKS for this posting. Am APPRECIATIVE!
Gary Lynch
I have it on an L.P. I bought 40 years ago.