Bill Hughes formed the idea of a trio of Irish tenors during a Cannes festival at which the famous Three Tenors, Luciano Pavarotti, José Carreras and Plácido Domingo were performing. Hughes wanted to produce a television special and first approached Ireland's Finbar Wright in 1998 to join the group but Wright's recording contract with Sony BMG prohibited such a venture. Hughes then invited Canadian John McDermott to head up the group and he accepted. After conferring with Ireland's leading vocal coach, Dr. Veronica Dunne, Anthony Kearns and Ronan Tynan were asked to join. In 1999, "The Irish Tenors-in Dublin" debuted on PBS television in the United States.
PBS signed up for another special by the increasingly popular new group but early in 2000 McDermott's mother died and John decided he could not fully commit himself to the group. Days before PBS was to film The Irish Tenors - Live in Belfast Hughes again contacted Finbar Wright and asked him to step in. Wright agreed to help and was asked to stay on for upcoming tour dates. Having left Sony, Wright was able to join the trio on a permanent basis.
In 2001, the Irish Tenors filmed their third special, an historic PBS broadcast at New York's Ellis Island , hosted by Irish/American actor Martin Sheen. Their album "Ellis Island" topped Billboard's Heatseeker list and landed on its "Top 10 Best of 2001".
In 2006, after Tynan left the group to concentrate on his solo career, Karl Scully was asked by Kearns and Wright to join the trio. This successful blend of voices spurred Bill Hughes to produce a television 9 part series for Ireland's RTE titled The Irish Tenors & Friends. Friends performing on the television special with The Irish Tenors include Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber , Paul Carrick, Finbar Furey , Hayley Westenra , Shayne Ward , Sharon Shannon, Peter Grant , Rebecca Storm, Lucia Evans , and Celine Byrne.
In 2007 the South Carolina Legislature issued a "Proclamation" welcoming the trio to that State at their performance in Charleston.
The trio continues to tour yearly.
I'll Be Home For Christmas
The Irish Tenors Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You can count on me
Please, have snow and mistletoe
And presents under the tree
Christmas Eve will find me
Where the love light gleams
I'll be home for Christmas
Christmas Eve will find me
Where the love light gleams
I'll be home for Christmas
If only in, if only in, if only in my dreams
The Irish Tenors' rendition of "I'll Be Home For Christmas" portrays the longing and yearning in a soldier's heart to be home for Christmas, surrounded by the snow, mistletoe, and Christmas presents. This popular Christmas song, released in 1943, was written by Kim Gannon, Walter Kent, and Buck Ram, inspired by the soldiers who were fighting in World War II.
The opening lines "I'll be home for Christmas, you can count on me" reflects the hopeful promise made by the soldiers to their loved ones that they will do everything in their power to return home for the holidays, despite the war and its uncertainties. The next line "please have snow and mistletoe and presents under the tree" highlights the traditional aspects of the holiday season that many soldiers missed while being away from home.
The second stanza of the song reflects the poignancy of the lyrics. The soldier sings "Christmas Eve will find me where the love light gleams" conveying a sense of desire for warmth and comfort, surrounded by family and friends. The repetition of "if only in my dreams" in the final line emphasizes the soldier's longing and his inability to be home for the holiday.
Line by Line Meaning
I'll be home for Christmas
I promise that I will come back to be with you on Christmas
You can count on me
You can trust me to keep my promise and be there on Christmas day
Please, have snow and mistletoe
I hope you have a picturesque and festive Christmas with snow and mistletoe
And presents under the tree
I hope there are gifts for everyone waiting under the Christmas tree
Christmas Eve will find me
I know I will be somewhere on Christmas Eve
Where the love light gleams
I hope to be where there is warmth and love, especially during the holiday season
I'll be home for Christmas
Despite my physical location, I will always feel connected and return to the people and places I consider home during Christmas
If only in my dreams
Even if I am unable to be there physically, I will always hold the memory and hope of being with my loved ones during Christmas
If only in, if only in, if only in my dreams
I yearn to be with you so much that I have to reassure myself and remind myself that I will be with you in spirit, if nothing else
Contributed by Ellie R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ron Wickman
on Grace
A glorious rendition that tears at one's heart, without histrionics.. Wm. Shakespeare couldn't have said it better.