IRISH TENOR JOHN MCCORMACK and “DANNY BOY”

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“Danny Boy” has been performed at Carnegie Hall 82 times; Irish tenor John McCormack performed in the Hall 53 times. So, can you imagine how many times McCormack sang “Danny Boy” at Carnegie….never. He didn’t like “Danny Boy.” He did, however, co-write a song, “Oh Mary Dear” with his pianist Harry Schneider to the tune of “Londonderry Air,” which is Danny Boy’s melody. He performed the song at Carnegie Hall in January 1933.

Here’s how it starts:

“Oh Mary dear, a cruel fate has parted us.

I’ll hide my grief, e’en though my heart should break.”

And here’s McCormack singing it: O Mary Dear 

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