Anna McGarrigle and Kate McGarrigle were born in Montreal of mixed Irish- and French-Canadian background, but lived their childhood in the Laurentian Mountains village of Saint-Sauveur-des-Monts, northwest of Montreal, where they learned piano from village nuns. In the 1960s, in Montreal, while Kate was studying engineering at McGill University and Anna art at the École des Beaux-Arts de Montréal, they began performing in public and then began writing their own songs. From 1963 to 1967 they teamed up with Jack Nissenson and Peter Weldon to form the folk group Mountain City Four. Into the twenty-first century, Kate and Anna McGarrigle continued to write, and recorded and performed music, with assorted accompanying musicians including Gerry Conway, Pat Donaldson, Ken Pearson, Michel Pépin, Chaim Tannenbaum and Joel Zifkin.
Their songs have been covered by a variety of artists including Maria Muldaur, Nana Mouskouri, Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris, Billy Bragg, Chloé Sainte-Marie, Judy Collins, Anne Sofie von Otter and others. The covers of their songs by well known artists led to the McGarrigles getting their first recording contract in 1974. They created ten albums from 1975 through 2008.
Although associated with Quebec's anglophone community, the McGarrigles also recorded and performed many songs in French. Two of their albums, Entre la jeunesse et la sagesse (also known as French Record) and La vache qui pleure, are entirely in French, but many of their other records include one or two French songs as well. Most of their French songs were co-written by Philippe Tatartcheff, with occasional input from Kate McGarrigle's son, Canadian-American solo artist Rufus Wainwright. Rufus and his sister Martha Wainwright, also a singer, are the children of Kate and her former husband (married 1971, separated 1976, divorced 1978), singer-songwriter Loudon Wainwright III.
They have performed or recorded with the Irish group The Chieftains, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds on their No More Shall We Part album, Emmylou Harris on her albums Bluebird, Wrecking Ball, Western Wall: The Tucson Sessions, Light of the Stable, Stumble into Grace, and All I Intended to Be, Lou Reed on his concept album The Raven, Joan Baez on her live recording Ring Them Bells, Gilles Vigneault on “Charlie-Jos” on his album C’est ainsi que j’arrive à toi, and Robin Holcomb on her 2002 album The Big Time.
Their version of Wade Hemsworth's song, "The Log Driver's Waltz" grew famous as the soundtrack for a 1979 animated film by Canada's National Film Board. They provided backing vocals on Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds's 2001 album No More Shall We Part. They appeared on the children's TV show Sharon, Lois & Bram's Elephant Show in Season 4, episode 50 entitled "Sibling Rivalry".
They were appointed Members of the Order of Canada in 1993 and received the Governor General's Performing Arts Award in 2004.
Another sister, Jane McGarrigle, is a film and television composer who wrote and performed several songs with the duo, but was not a regular collaborator.
Kate died January 18, 2010 at the age of 63 after fighting a rare form of cancer.
If I Had A Hammer
Kate & Anna McGarrigle Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I could be glad all of the while
I could change the grey skies to blues
If I had you
I could leave the old days behind
Leave all my pals, I'd never mind
I could start my life all a new
If I had you
Sail the mighty ocean wide
I could cross the burning desert
If I had you by my side
I could be a king, dear, uncrowned
Humble or poor, rich or renowned
There is nothing I couldn't do
If I had you
I could show the world how to smile
I could be glad all of the while
I could change the grey skies to blues
If I had you
I could leave the old days behind
Leave all my pals, I'd never mind
I could start my life all a new
If I had you
I could climb the snow capped mountains
Sail the mighty ocean wide
I could cross the burning desert
If I had you by my side
I could be a king, dear, uncrowned
Humble or poor, rich or renowned
There is nothing I couldn't do
The lyrics of Kate & Anna McGarrigle's song "If I Had a Hammer" express a deep longing for the presence and companionship of a loved one. The singer imagines a world where their partner's love and support would bring boundless joy and possibilities. The repetition of the lines "I could show the world how to smile, I could be glad all of the while, I could change the grey skies to blues, If I had you" emphasizes the transformative power of love and the belief that with this special person by their side, all challenges can be overcome.
The imagery of leaving behind the old days and starting a new life symbolizes a desire for a fresh beginning and a sense of renewal that comes with the presence of a supportive partner. The lyrics suggest a willingness to embark on new adventures and face any obstacles fearlessly, as long as the loved one is there to share the journey. The references to climbing snow-capped mountains, sailing the ocean, and crossing deserts evoke a sense of adventure and a longing for exploration, all made possible and meaningful by the presence of the beloved companion.
The sentiment of being a king, whether crowned or not, reflects a desire for inner richness and fulfillment that transcends material wealth or status. The singer expresses a deep sense of gratitude and appreciation for the potential that their partner brings into their life, acknowledging that with this person by their side, there are no limits to what they can achieve. The theme of empowerment and the belief in the transformative power of love resonates throughout the song, highlighting the importance of connection and companionship in shaping one's sense of purpose and possibility.
Overall, the lyrics of "If I Had a Hammer" convey a profound sense of yearning and hope, emphasizing the transformative and uplifting influence of love and companionship. The song paints a vivid picture of a world where obstacles are overcome, dreams are realized, and joy is abundant, all made possible by the presence of a cherished partner. The repetition of the refrain underscores the central message of the song, celebrating the idea that with the right person by your side, there is no limit to what you can achieve and experience in life.
Line by Line Meaning
I could show the world how to smile
I have the ability to bring happiness and joy to others
I could be glad all of the while
I could maintain a positive attitude constantly
I could change the grey skies to blues
I could turn sadness into happiness and optimism
If I had you
If I had your love and support
I could leave the old days behind
I could move on from the past and start anew
Leave all my pals, I'd never mind
I wouldn't miss leaving behind my previous life and friends
I could start my life all a new
I could have a fresh start in life
I could climb the snow capped mountains
I could overcome great challenges
Sail the mighty ocean wide
I could venture into uncharted territories
I could cross the burning desert
I could endure difficult and harsh conditions
If I had you by my side
If I had your companionship and support
I could be a king, dear, uncrowned
I could achieve greatness and success without official recognition
Humble or poor, rich or renowned
Regardless of my social status or wealth
There is nothing I couldn't do
I would be capable of achieving anything with your presence
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: GORDON MILLS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
joelz
on Song For Gaby
Added the first vocal line which was missing
joelz
on Why Must We Die?
We are meat. We are spirit
We have blood and we have grace
We have a will and we have muscle
A soul and a face
Why must we die
We have eyes and intuition
A DNA code and a name
Some tend to logic, some superstition
We have an aura and a frame
Why must we die
We are human, we are angel
We have feet and wish for wings
We are carbon, we are ether
We are saints, we are kings
Why must we die
Why must we die
We are men of constant sorrow
We′ll have trouble all our days
We never found our Eldorado
Where we were born
We are meat, we are spirit
We have blood and we have grace
We have a will and we have muscle
A soul and a face
Why must we die
Why must we die
We are men of constant sorrow
We'll have trouble all our days
We never found our Eldorado
Where we were born
We are men of constant sorrow
We′ll have trouble all our days...