[Sheet music] Mother Machree

Sheet music for the song titled, 'Mother Machree' with lyrics written by Rida Johnson Young and music composed by Chauncey Olcott and Ernest R. Ball. The front cover advises that the song has previously been performed by John McCormack. This copy is number 2 of 4 and has been published in the key of C by Allan & Co, Melbourne. It was sold for 2/-.

The lyrics of this song discuss the fond memories that the writer has of Mother Machree and her love. Included in this copy are the first pages of songs titled, 'Babe o' mine' and 'The magic of your eyes'. These were intended as advertisements for purchasing the complete version of these songs.

In 1944, the Adelaide newspaper News, reported that the song recieved no interest until it was performed by the Irish tenor, John McCormack, who 'quickly sent it soaring to the top of song successes'. The same article also mentions that the song was written by Ball specially for Chauncey Olcott.

Ernest Ball was an American composer who also performed his own songs on vaudeville and became known for Irish ballads. He collaborated with several lyricists including Chauncey Olcott, George Graff and Rida Young. Some of the other works which these collaborations brought included 'When Irish Eyes are Smiling', written in 1912 and 'Till the Sands of the Desert Grow Cold'.

Chauncey Olcott was also an American singer and Broadway star whose life was portrayed in the 1947 movie 'My Wild Irish Rose'.

Rida Johnson Young was an American playwright, songwriter and librettist or the writer of text in operas. She wrote over thirty plays and musicals as well as over 500 songs.

Towards the bottom of this page is a sound recording of this sheet music, or a parody, that was created as part of the Music and the First World War project. More information about this recording, including names of the performers, can be found on the catalogue record for the sound recording. A link to the catalogue record for the sound recording can be found at the bottom of this page, under the heading ‘Related objects’ where it can be identified with the prefix [sound recording].