What a beautiful setting to the scene in which Michael Collins' friend finds him on the dance floor with Kitty Kelly and tells him,"Mick,it's over! The British Empire has given in!" It brought tears to my eyes. Took me years to track down this song on Youtube.
I've listened to this so often. John McCormack's voice is exquisite. I can't listen without replaying and it will haunt me for the rest of the evening.
It was the movie 'Michael Collins' that introduced me to this song as well. These old masters were superb and it's great to see the following they still have. Youtube has shown me I'm not the only one with a love of these old favourites.
Absolute genius. You know I feel so priveleged to have been born into a family that made the singing of these songs part of my childhood. Back then I took it for granted, 40 years on I appreciate the jewel I was handed for free as my heritage,
@edward0988 Irish is a very poetic language! There may be an Irish version of the song but I have only heard the English (I am a native speaker of Irish). I'm not so sure about it being related to kinship, but it may well be!
THE Irish tenor. You have to really be into Irish ballads to appreciate this, but if you are Macushla is one of the best. Ranks with best opera arias, at least the way John M. sings it.
Like someone else, I had watched the movie Michael Collins and this song was at the end. The bell went off and I remembered it from my childhood as my mother from Ireland sang it to to us when we were young so many years ago.
That death is a dream and that love is forever" heartwrenching in the knowledge that she has gone, that he will never speak to her in person again. "Then awaken... awake from thy dreaming" if only we could speak to those loved ones again. Thoughtful and tragic in equal measure. Wonderful.
That death is a dream and that love is forever" heartwrenching and in the knowledge that she has gone, that he will never speak to her in person again. "Then awaken... awake from thy dreaming" if only we could speak to those loved ones again. Thoughtful and tragic in equal measure.
McCormac is a great singer, listen to him sing il mio tesoro. I also say listen to tony walsh sing this and you will be amazed. But thanks for this its pure magic.
My mother used to play this all those years ago when I was a child... always brought floods of tears... still love it now - thanks for taking the trouble to upload this :-)
This wonderful song ,by the greatest yenor of all time reminds me of a wonderful family we grew up with back home they were all musicians and singers..Also great friends.I will always remember the wonderful Brett family from Nenah tipperary.Especially my best friend Sean ,who could bring tears to your eyes with his rendition of Macushla.God bless them. .From Liam
I remember watching Michael Collins for the first time a few years ago and thought...this is a good film. But I have to say when I heard this song towards the end I lost all track of what I was watching and what it is supposed to mean. Such a great song, what a voice and from the other posts I have to agree, his voice in the end really lifts to utter beauty. XXX.
In 1970 when I was 16 I inherited a copy of this same recording. It had been my great grandfather's. It spoke to me then and it speaks to me now. Thank you for posting this.
@conbhui Well, probably his wife or the love of his life. I think that she's died very recently and he's expressing what he's feeling at having to cope with the prospect of her absence.
@UBIQUITOUS12 You're so right! Compare McCormack's singing of this to White's, McKellar's, Locke's, Crooks', any other tenor's. McCormack is the master.
The third stanza is incredible. I believe that McCormack's "awaken" could truly revive the dead! Thanks, meltzerboy, for sharing, and thank you for posting, patriot4913. :)
thank you - arigato
ikujikintre 1 week ago
What a beautiful setting to the scene in which Michael Collins' friend finds him on the dance floor with Kitty Kelly and tells him,"Mick,it's over! The British Empire has given in!" It brought tears to my eyes. Took me years to track down this song on Youtube.
rhinnrhinn 2 weeks ago
It's that unbelievable mezza voce at the end that really gets to me!!!
There never was nor will there ever be anyone like this man!!
michsturge 1 month ago
I've listened to this so often. John McCormack's voice is exquisite. I can't listen without replaying and it will haunt me for the rest of the evening.
2011mrmer 2 months ago
a joy to hear this
memejayify 2 months ago
It was the movie 'Michael Collins' that introduced me to this song as well. These old masters were superb and it's great to see the following they still have. Youtube has shown me I'm not the only one with a love of these old favourites.
XXSIXPENCE 7 months ago
Absolute genius. You know I feel so priveleged to have been born into a family that made the singing of these songs part of my childhood. Back then I took it for granted, 40 years on I appreciate the jewel I was handed for free as my heritage,
Miceybhoy 7 months ago
A one word comment here..".Incomparable."
bilstew 7 months ago
Beautiful.
I can see my granny's blue eyes, wishing us (kids) all the best.
That was a long time ago.
She has passed on.
Her message is as strong as ever however.
There are many more like me who will ensure it continues.
Great to be Irish.
cowerofshunts 8 months ago
Wonderful 5* post.
Thank you for sharing this gem, which I have added to my J.M. "Playlist".
Corrie121 8 months ago
Wonderful expression with that distinctive golden voice of the great MacCormack!
Thank you patriot4913 for posting this lovely recording!
CanadaPisces 8 months ago
To seanboy. thank again for taking the time to give me your views you are propably right, Love Ireland.
edward0988 10 months ago
thank you, I've have been told there is a more poetic translation something pertaining to kinship, kinship in the broadist sense, again thank you.
edward0988 10 months ago
@edward0988 Irish is a very poetic language! There may be an Irish version of the song but I have only heard the English (I am a native speaker of Irish). I'm not so sure about it being related to kinship, but it may well be!
seanboylanpiano 10 months ago
macushla, what does it mean, My darling my blood? can anyone confirm?
edward0988 11 months ago
@edward0988 "Macushla" comes from the Irish "mo chuisle" meaning my pulse i.e. the pulse of my heart.
seanboylanpiano 10 months ago
what you said is spot on x
misshophipdance 11 months ago
THE Irish tenor. You have to really be into Irish ballads to appreciate this, but if you are Macushla is one of the best. Ranks with best opera arias, at least the way John M. sings it.
jacobsimon 11 months ago
Like someone else, I had watched the movie Michael Collins and this song was at the end. The bell went off and I remembered it from my childhood as my mother from Ireland sang it to to us when we were young so many years ago.
pcdana24 1 year ago
Beautiful.
paulbmusic 1 year ago
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That death is a dream and that love is forever" heartwrenching in the knowledge that she has gone, that he will never speak to her in person again. "Then awaken... awake from thy dreaming" if only we could speak to those loved ones again. Thoughtful and tragic in equal measure. Wonderful.
westburn132 1 year ago
Comment removed
westburn132 1 year ago
That death is a dream and that love is forever" heartwrenching and in the knowledge that she has gone, that he will never speak to her in person again. "Then awaken... awake from thy dreaming" if only we could speak to those loved ones again. Thoughtful and tragic in equal measure.
westburn132 1 year ago
Comment removed
westburn132 1 year ago
McCormac is a great singer, listen to him sing il mio tesoro. I also say listen to tony walsh sing this and you will be amazed. But thanks for this its pure magic.
edwina22 1 year ago
The last line of this song is breathtaking.
MrKnockna 1 year ago
My mother used to play this all those years ago when I was a child... always brought floods of tears... still love it now - thanks for taking the trouble to upload this :-)
truffcat 1 year ago
Comment removed
WTFOVER1901 1 year ago
This wonderful song ,by the greatest yenor of all time reminds me of a wonderful family we grew up with back home they were all musicians and singers..Also great friends.I will always remember the wonderful Brett family from Nenah tipperary.Especially my best friend Sean ,who could bring tears to your eyes with his rendition of Macushla.God bless them. .From Liam
TheLiamvic 1 year ago 2
This makes me think of the young Collins and the price he paid for our independence.
JoeJC 1 year ago
I remember watching Michael Collins for the first time a few years ago and thought...this is a good film. But I have to say when I heard this song towards the end I lost all track of what I was watching and what it is supposed to mean. Such a great song, what a voice and from the other posts I have to agree, his voice in the end really lifts to utter beauty. XXX.
SuperPrender 1 year ago 7
@SuperPrender I concur 100%
tk136159 1 year ago
In 1970 when I was 16 I inherited a copy of this same recording. It had been my great grandfather's. It spoke to me then and it speaks to me now. Thank you for posting this.
gmm02004 1 year ago
lovely song..is he singing about his dead girlfirend or something?
conbhui 2 years ago
@conbhui Well, probably his wife or the love of his life. I think that she's died very recently and he's expressing what he's feeling at having to cope with the prospect of her absence.
garvan 1 year ago
Nobody could sing this like the master. The beauty of this singing brings tears to the eyes and what about the pianissimo ending,superb!
UBIQUITOUS12 3 years ago 10
@UBIQUITOUS12 You're so right! Compare McCormack's singing of this to White's, McKellar's, Locke's, Crooks', any other tenor's. McCormack is the master.
meltzerboy 1 year ago
@meltzerboy
The third stanza is incredible. I believe that McCormack's "awaken" could truly revive the dead! Thanks, meltzerboy, for sharing, and thank you for posting, patriot4913. :)
HM0880 1 year ago
@UBIQUITOUS12
Agreed absolutely-- the ending is amazing!
HM0880 1 year ago