Count John McCormack and my grandfather, Michael Coyle, lived close to each other as young children. Their modest homes were on the Connacht side of Athlone town, in the center of Ireland, along the banks of the beautiful river Shannon. They lived as young boys in a country that had just survived a dreadful famine —a famine which resulted in a great many Irish people having to emigrate to America.
Even by today’s standards, Count John McCormack was a true superstar. His wonderful voice and great charisma captivated his audiences worldwide, and particularly at his concerts in America. John McCormack was the first person to record “It’s a long way to Tipperary” in 1914.
“I hear you calling” was another song he sang regularly, as was “The wearing of the green” – a ballad about the Irish Rebellion of 1798. My father was also a lovely singer. He taught us many songs when we were young children, growing up in the same house in which my grandfather was born in Athlone, and where I still live.
We had a piano in the sitting room in those pre-television days of the 1950s. John McCormack had recorded “Believe me if all those endearing young charms”. My father loved this song and sang it beautifully.
However, the ones we loved best were the emigrant songs —heart-rending songs, written about places to which the Irish had emigrated. "My feet are here on Broadway this blessed Harvest Morn but, oh, the ache that’s in them for the spot where I was born.” That spo.