Overview
"I Hear You Calling Me" is a British popular song published in London in 1908 by Boosey & Co. The lyrics were by Harold Lake (a journalist writing as Harold Harford) and the music by Charles Marshall (1857-1957). The song became a signature song for the tenor John McCormack.
Background
Harold Lake had been a great friend of Harry Dearth, the ballad singer, from when they had been in the choir school of Westminster Abbey together. Dearth had urged Lake to try to write lyrics, but it was not until some years after, that "I Hear You Calling Me" was written. Lake explained that behind the events which led up to its composition lay a story of youthful romance: He visited the tenor John McCormack at his lodgings and played him his setting of the lyrics. McCormack started to sing it, and soon became enthusiastic. He suggested that they should visit Mr. Arthur Boosey as he would be sure to publish it. The song became a bestseller for McCormack and helped to start him on the road to success. He recorded it six times in total, twice for Odeon and four times for Victor.
The song became so closely identified with him that his wife Lily adopted it as the title of her biography of him.
Lyrics
The following lyrics are taken from the sheet music published in 1908: Verse 1: :I hear you calling me. :You called me when the moon had veiled her light, :Before I went from you into the night; :I came, – do you remember? – back to you :For one last kiss beneath the kind stars' light. Verse 2: :I hear you calling me. :And oh, the ringing gladness of your voice! :The words that made my longing heart rejoice :You spoke, – do you remember? – and my heart :Still hears the distant music of your voice. Verse 3: :I hear you calling me. :Though years have stretched their weary length between, :And on your grave the mossy grass is green: :I stand, – do you behold me? – listening here, :Hearing your voice through all the years between.
Recordings
Below is a list of artists who have recorded the song with the recording date and record information (where known): * John McCormack, Odeon: twice in 1908. Victor: 1910, 1911, 1921 and 1927
Listen to the song
You can use the following links to listen to the song being sung by: * John McCormack in 1908: * John McCormack in 1911: * John McCormack in 1927: * Sydney MacEwan: