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.
Toora-Loora-Looral
The Irish Tenors Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Many years ago
My mother sang a song to me
In tones so sweet and low
Just a simple little ditty
In our good old Irish way
And I'd give the world if she would sing
Toora loora loora, toora loora la
Toora loora loora, hush now, don't you cry
Toora loora loora, toora loora la
Toora loora loora, it's an Irish lullaby
Loft in dreams I've wandered
To that cot again
I feel her arms a-huggin' me
As when she held me then
And I hear her voice a-hummin'
To me, as in days of yore
When she used to rock me fast asleep
Outside the cabin door
Toora loora loora, toora loora la
Toora loora loora, hush now, don't you cry
Toora loora loora, toora loora la
Toora loora loora, it's an Irish lullaby
The Irish Tenors' song "Toora-Loora-Looral" is a poignant ode to the memories of a mother's love and the comfort of her lullabies. The lyrics are a nostalgic journey back to a simpler time and the simple tune of an Irish lullaby. As the singer recalls his mother's tender singing of the song, the listener is swept up into his memories.
The melody of "Toora-Loora-Looral" is simple and sweet, with the soothing repetition of "toora loora looral" throughout the chorus. The lyrics convey a sense of longing for a lost time and a lost love, while also celebrating the joys of childhood and the special bond between mother and child. The verses describe the singer's memories of his mother's voice and her embrace, as he is transported back to the little cottage where he grew up.
Overall, the song is a touching tribute to the power of music and family love. The simple beauty of the lyrics and melody reflect the timeless appeal of classic Irish folk songs.
Line by Line Meaning
Over in Killarny
In a town called Killarny
Many years ago
A long time in the past
My mother sang a song to me
My mother sang a song to comfort me
In tones so sweet and low
With a gentle, soothing voice
Just a simple little ditty
A short, simple song
In our good old Irish way
In the traditional Irish style
And I'd give the world if she would sing
I would do anything to hear her sing
That song to me this day
That song again today
Toora loora loora, toora loora la
Words of the song
Toora loora loora, hush now, don't you cry
The song tells a child not to cry
Toora loora loora, toora loora la
Words of the song
Toora loora loora, it's an Irish lullaby
The song is an Irish lullaby
Loft in dreams I've wandered
In my dreams, I remember
To that cot again
Going back to that small bed
I feel her arms a-huggin' me
I feel my mother hugging me
As when she held me then
Just like she used to hold me
And I hear her voice a-hummin'
I can hear her voice humming
To me, as in days of yore
Like in the old days
When she used to rock me fast asleep
When she used to rock me to sleep quickly
Outside the cabin door
On the porch outside the cabin
Contributed by Maria B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@carolynbaker4250
My Daddy sang this to me all the time, he passed away 45 years ago when I was 12 tonight's the first time I've heard it since then. It made me smile and cry.
@juberoma2429
My great grandfather was orphaned during the famine - He came over from Ireland on an ‘orphan ship’ and was adopted by an Irish family here in America - John Moran was his name - We have an ancient music box that plays this lullaby - It’s our most prized earthly possession 💕
@guynorth3277
How uncertain and scary that must have been for your grandfather.
@darjeeling3
What a precious story. 💚☘️🍀
@patrickbrett1552
You're honoured. Terrible, but that music box is sacred. Can I have it? Only joking. Respect.
@susanambler7720
Oh the memories. My parents used to pay this when I was growing up ❤
@retiredyeti5555
My dad used to sing this in his beautiful baritone voice, when I was a child. I would give anything to hear him sing it again. He would have been 103 next Tuesday, June 8th. Made it to 95! I miss you, Dad.
@juanmanuellattes6022
Ireland forever!
(from Argentina, with love)
@kerrytrauger9525
My grandmother, My Nanny ,would this song to me when l was a little boy, l M now 74. I will never forget her
@em1osmurf
how to turn me into a 70 year old blubbering baby in less than 4 minutes. i still miss my mother, and i'm a great great grandfather. thank you for this.