McCook was born in Havana, Cuba, and moved to Jamaica in 1933. He took up the tenor saxophone at the age of eleven, when he was a pupil at the Alpha School, and eventually joined Eric Dean’s Orchestra.
In 1954 he left for an engagement in Nassau, Bahamas, after which he ended up in Miami, Florida, and it was here that McCook first heard John Coltrane and fell in love with jazz. McCook returned to Jamaica in early 1962, where he was approached by a few local producers to do some recordings. Eventually he consented to record a jazz session for Clement "Coxson" Dodd, which was issued on the album as "Jazz Jamaica". His first ska recording was an adaptation of Ernest Gold’s "Exodus", recorded in November 1963 with musicians who would soon make up the Skatalites.
During the 1960s and 1970s McCook recorded with the majority of prominent reggae artists of the era, working particularly with producer Bunny Lee and his house band, The Aggrovators, as well as being featured prominently in the recordings of Yabby You and the Prophets (most notably on version sides and extended disco mixes), all while still performing and recording with the variety of line ups under the Skatalites name.
McCook died of pneumonia and heart failure, aged 71, on 5 May 1998.
Get Me To The Church On Time
Tommy McCook Lyrics
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A few more hours before I tie the knot
There'll be drinks and girls all over London
And I gotta track 'em down in just a few more hours
I'm gettin' married in the morning
Ding, dong, the bells are gonna chime
Pull out the stopper, we'll have a whopper
I got to get there in the morning
Spruced up and lookin' in my prime
Girls come and kiss me, say that you'll miss me
But get me to the church on time
If I am dancing roll up the floor
If I am whistling right out the door
I got to get there in the morning
Ding, ding, dong, they're gonna chime
Kick up a rumpus, don't lose your compass
Get me to the church, get me to the church
Pete's sake, get me to the church on time
If I'm flyin' then shoot me down
If I'm wooin' get the girl right out of town
I got to get there in the morning
Ding, ding, dong, they're gonna chime
Punch me and jail me, stamp me and mail me
But get me to the church, get me to the church
Pete's sakes, get me to the church on time
On time, on time, on time
The lyrics of Tommy McCook's song "Get Me To The Church On Time" talk about a man who is about to get married and is trying to make the most of his time before he walks down the aisle. The lyrics paint a picture of a man who is enjoying the last few hours of bachelorhood and needs to get to the church in time for his wedding. There will be drinks and girls all over London, and he needs to find them before he officially ties the knot. But despite his excitement, he knows he has to make it to the church on time.
The chorus repeats the urgency of the situation, with the bells about to chime, and the singer reminding everyone to "get me to the church on time." He's aware that he needs to look his best for his wedding, telling the girls to come and kiss him and say that they'll miss him. He's also aware of the possibility of losing track of time, asking people to kick up a rumpus but not lose their compass. Ultimately, he needs to make it to the church on time, and nothing should stop him, even if he's flying or wooing someone.
Overall, the song tells the story of a man trying to make the most of his time before getting married, but he also knows the importance of getting to the church on time, and he's willing to do anything to make sure it happens.
Line by Line Meaning
A few more hours, that's all the time I got
I only have a few more hours left
A few more hours before I tie the knot
I'm getting married in a few hours
There'll be drinks and girls all over London
There will be lots of alcohol and women around in London
And I gotta track 'em down in just a few more hours
I need to find them before time runs out
I'm gettin' married in the morning
I am getting married tomorrow
Ding, dong, the bells are gonna chime
The wedding bells will soon ring
Pull out the stopper, we'll have a whopper
Let's have a great time and party
But get me to the church on time
But make sure I am at the church on time
Spruced up and lookin' in my prime
I will be dressed nicely and looking my best
Girls come and kiss me, say that you'll miss me
Women, give me a goodbye kiss and tell me you'll miss me
If I am dancing roll up the floor
If I am dancing, everyone should join in
If I am whistling right out the door
If I am whistling, it's time to leave
Ding, ding, dong, they're gonna chime
The wedding bells will ring soon
Kick up a rumpus, don't lose your compass
Let's have a wild time, but don't forget where we're going
Get me to the church, get me to the church
Make sure I get to the church on time
Pete's sake, get me to the church on time
For goodness' sake, make sure I am at the church on time
If I'm flyin' then shoot me down
If I'm acting crazy, stop me
If I'm wooin' get the girl right out of town
If I am flirting with someone, remove them from the situation
Punch me and jail me, stamp me and mail me
If necessary, physically restrain me to get me to the church
On time, on time, on time
It's important to be on time for the wedding
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ALAN JAY LERNER, FREDERICK LOEWE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind