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Someday a Voice Will Awake by Ivor Novello is a sweetly nostalgic, gentle piece from the 1944 musical romance: “King’s Rhapsody.” Kearns has included many Novello pieces in his repertoire and they are always lovely and well recieved by his audiences. Novello was a master of romantic popular songs, and Anthony's voice is perfect for them.
Listen to many Novello pieces here.

The Loveliest Night of the Year, is recognized as a Mario Lanza standard. With words by Paul Francis Webster and music by Irving Aaronson (adapted from Rosa’s waltz: “Sobre los olas” -Over the Waves-) this wonderfully romantic song was introduced by Lanza in the film “The Great Caruso” in 1951. He again sang it in the 1958 movie “The Seven Hills of Rome.” Move over, Mario, Kearns has made this one his own: it was fabulous in his Fall 2007 Solo Tour. Anthony has a deep respect for Mario Lanza and includes several Lanza standards in his solo repertoire. Kearns is considered by many to have surpassed Lanza in technique and delivery.
Lyrics

Somewhere a Voice is Calling, was composed in 1911 by Arthur F. Tate, words by Eileen Newton. It was recorded by McCormack in 1916; has been recorded by Richard Tauber, Mario Lanza, and even Frank Sinatra! Anthony added it to his solo repertoire during the spring of 2007.
Lyrics
Listen to a clip of Tauber singing this song and "Roses of Picardy" Here
(click "Listen to Samples" under the CD)
Listen to this song and "Serenade" by Lanza (along with many other Lanza favorites): Here
("Serenade" and "Roses of Picardy" are both included in Anthony's solo repertoire.)

Scorn Not His Simplicity, written with love about his mentally challenged son by the great Irish songwriter and pianist, Phil Coulter. Kearns sings this song with such tenderness, such gentleness one experiences the tragedy, feels the emotion of the parents, but senses the joy of the simple child. Coulter has written many wonderful standards including "The Old Man," "The Town I Loved So Well," and "Steal Away," and is widely recorded.
Scorn Not Lyrics

A Father’s Prayer, written by Patrick Healy in the Fall of 2005 for Anthony Kearns, is simply beautiful. It has all the ingredients needed to become a classic lullaby: a lovely melody, a touching lyric, and a magnificent voice to sing it. Patrick has written a perfect song. He is quoted as saying, “There are so many lovely pictures of mother and child, I wanted to create a special song from a father to his baby.” He went on, “The image of Anthony on a stage singing a lullaby is one that I think will be effective.” He is more than correct. The last few soft, sweet notes are impeccable. Anthony commented that it is a “beautiful, poignant song written in the old style; I think it's going to last the time.” Both Anthony and Patrick have a winner on their hands with this one!
Lullaby Lyric

To Do Your Will
This melody is from an 18th century traditional Irish folk song, "The Water is Wide," with lyrics from an old Scottish ballad. It is a wonderful song, reminding one of "If I Can Help Somebody," every bit as inspirational, but even more sweetly and gently sung. It is recorded on The Irish Tenors' CD Sacred. John McDermott brought this song to Anthony's attention and it was a perfect choice for inclusion on the CD.
To Do Your Will Lyrics
The Water is Wide Midi

I’ll See You Again is the most perfect way for Anthony to end a concert; fabulous piece! This waltz was composed by Noel Coward for “Bitter Sweet” in 1929. Coward insists he wrote it sitting in a cab in a traffic jam at Broadway and 7th Avenue in New York City!
I’ll See You Again

Shine Through My Dreams, was written by Ivor Novello for the production "Glamorous Nights" which premiered in 1935. It is one of his most beautiful compositions. Another of his wonderful nostalgic songs sung by Anthony Kearns and Patrick Healy is the WWII duet: “We’ll Gather Lilacs in the Spring,” also featured in this index.
Glamorous Nights
Brief bio: Ivor Novello

Come to the Ball, from “The Quaker Girl,” is one of Anthony’s favorite songs. It was written by the Edwardian composer Lionel Monckton during the hey-day of the Gaiety and Daley’s Theatres’ musicals. It debuted at the Adelphi Theatre November 5, 1910. I found this to be a wonderful presentation, perfectly suited to a voice like our Tenor’s!
Bio on Monckton
Quaker Girl
Lyrics

If I Loved You, is the haunting love song from the 1945 Broadway musical “Carousel,” the third musical to come from the award-winning team of Rodgers and Hammerstein. The musical was based upon Hungarian playwright Ferenc Molnár’s play, “Liliom.” “If I Loved You” and “You’ll Never Walk Alone” (both from “Carousel”) were the favorites of Richard Rodgers. Kearns sang this song in a solo concert for the first time in Port Angeles, WA in the fall of 2004. It was incredible, perfectly interpreted and wildly accepted. It brought an enthusiastic response from his audience and a long standing ovation at its conclusion. As he began to sing, I was transported back to Gordon MacRae's recording so many years ago: Mr. Kearns did it proud! I sincerely hope that this song will be included in more of the solo concerts of Anthony Kearns, for it was incredibly beautiful.
If I Loved You
Synopsis of Carousel
Article about Rodgers and Hammerstein
Article about Molnár

Bring Him Home is from the powerful play, Les Misérables (composed by Claude-Michel Schonberg, librettist Alain Boublil) which is based upon Victor Hugo’s classic novel set in France of the early 1800s. This incredible piece is a prayer by Valjean asking protection for young Marius in his coming fight with the revolutionaries at the barricade . Anthony first sang this piece in a solo concert in Port Angeles, WA in the fall of 2004. It was powerfully and passionately done, bringing his audience to their feet in prolonged cheering. It certainly deserves to be included in many solo concerts to come, utterly stunning! (Les Mis opened in Paris in 1980, with the English version playing on Broadway beginning in 1985.)
Bring Him Home
Synopsis of Les Mis

We'll Gather Lilacs in the Spring was composed by Ivor Novello, 1893-1951. He was a Welch songwriter who is well known for his WWI song, "Keep the Home Fires Burning." "Lilacs" (1943) is a song about those left behind during WWII, longing for the return of their loved ones. Novello wrote the musical, "Perchance to Dream," which includes "Lilacs," and helped to establish The Songwriters Guild. Frank Sinatra and Julie Andrews are among the people who have recorded this wonderful song. Kearns added this piece to his solo repertoire in the Fall 2003 Tour; it is presented beautifully as Patrick's poetic speaking voice complements Anthony's singing through the chorus. Really quite lovely
We'll Gather Lilacs in the Spring

Because (God Made Thee Mine) is an incredibly beautiful song which was a common 'wedding song' for decades. It was written by Edward Teschemacher with the music by Guy D'Hardelot, and Mario Lanza recorded it at one time. It is the perfect addition to the solo repertoire of Anthony Kearns and fits The Voice like a glove. It was added to his repertoire during the Fall 2003 Tour.
Because

With a Song in my Heart is a Rodgers and Hart composition for a 1929 musical “Spring is Here.” It went on to be a part of several movie scores, and in 1948 was sung by Perry Como for the Rodgers and Hart biography film “Words and Music.” It was also the title song of “With a Song in My Heart,” the 1952 movie of the same name. Mr. Kearns often sings it as his entrance song.
With a Song in My Heart

Smilin’ Through With words and music by Arthur Penn, this song was written in 1918 for a play of the same name. It was later made into movies in 1922, 1933, and 1941. Jeanette MacDonald sang it in the 1941 movie. It is a sweet, lovely, lilting piece, handled lovingly by Mr. Kearns. This writer must admit to it being her favorite in his solo repertoire. This song, it is said, was written in a scant 20 minutes by Mr. Penn (a direct decendant of William Penn's) while riding on a train from Long Island! The last verse was added some time later. Click here for the lovely lyrics to my favorite Kearns standard!
Smilin' Through

Because You’re Mine Nicholas Brodszky composed and Sammy Cahn wrote the beautiful lyrics to this tenor standard. It was written for the movie of the same name starring Mario Lanza, and was nominated for an Academy Award. It is such a perfect vehicle for the tenor voice that it has been sung by virtually every tenor of note since Mario Lanza introduced it. This duo also wrote “Be My Love,” another great tenor standard which Anthony sings with great passion.
Because You're Mine

Roses of Picardy, music by Haydan Wood and lyrics by Frederick Weatherly, was written in 1916. It was a favorite of the troops in World War I, and was recorded by John McCormack in 1919. Mr. Kearns introduced “Roses of Picardy” into his U.S. solo repertoire on March 11, 2002, the six month anniversary of 9/11. He felt it was particularly fitting to commemorate that sad day in our history, and he wanted to dedicate it not only to the fallen, but to the troops far from home. (You may remember the name Frederick Weatherly as the man who put the words to “Danny Boy” using the “Londonderry Air” as the tune. And the rest, as they say, is history!)
Roses of Picardy

Younger Than Springtime is from the Broadway play, "South Pacific." This Pulitzer Prize winning play from Rodgers and Hammerstein hit Broadway in 1949. It is a timeless musical story of war and romance. “Younger than Springtime” is the beautiful love song sung by Joseph Cable to his Liat and is the most lovely of all the music in the production. Mr. Kearns has been singing it during the the anniversary year of Richard Rodgers; he would love the beauty of Anthony's interpretation.
Younger Than Springtime

I’ll Walk Beside You was composed by Murray/Lockton. It was recorded by the great John McCormack. “I’ll Walk Beside You” is a lovely, romantic, sentimental song along the lines of “Smilin’ Through.” It lends itself to the gentle sweetness in Anthony's voice; it is caressed to perfection. Absolutely lovely!
I'll Walk Beside You

Good Bye was a Stolz/Graham creation in 1947 for the play “White Horse Inn.” It was made famous by the great Irish tenor, Josef Locke, 1917-1999. Anthony Kearns, referred to as “one of Locke’s successors,” was given the honor of singing at Mr. Locke’s funeral.

Little Grey Home of the West was added to the repertoire of Anthony Kearns in his winter tour of 2003. It was written by D. Eardley-Wilmot and Hermann Frederic Lohr in 1911 and was featured in the 1938 film "Sweethearts" starring Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy. The house which inspired the song was built in rural British Columbia, near Kootenay Lake, by Eardley-Wilmot. This song was very popular with the British and Canadian troups in World War I, and was sung during the 1914 Christmas Truce (as noted by Percy Jones of the Queen's Westminister Rifles). The Queen Mother listed this among her favorite songs. The lyrics are sweetly sentimental; a link to them has been included here.
Little Gray Home lyrics
Little Grey Home of the West

Pale Hands I Loved Beside the Shalimar is a beautiful Edwardian love song obviously inspired by time spent in India by the composers, Hope/Woodforde-Finden. At the turn of the 20th century, with British Rule, the adventure and exotic romance of India, and Edward ascending the throne, there was a love affair between England and Eastern poetry and music. The lyric of this song was taken from a beautiful piece of poetry in a collection written by “Laurence Hope.” Amy Woodforde-Finden, prolific writer of “eastern ditties,” was the wife of an officer in the Bengal Army. Mrs. Violet Nicolson was the wife of an Indian Army General. It is thought that the two women never met. Yet Woodforde-Finden set to music what was considered at the time to be the “latent sexiness” of the lyric in this piece referred to as “The Kashmiri Song,” taken from the aforesaid collection of poetry by Laurence Hope. The song was immensely popular in Edwardian England. Quite a scandal followed the publishing of these volumes of poetry by a “refreshingly virile poet” named Laurence Hope, when it was found that Hope was the pseudonym for Mrs. Violet Nicolson!
Lyrics of Pale Hands

Time to say Goodbye, text by Lucio Quarantotto and music by Francesco Sartori, was presented to Andrea Bocelli in 1995. He recorded an album titled “Bocelli” which features Con Te Partiro (I’ll go with You) in 1995, and from which this song became popular. In 1996, Bocelli sang it in Germany with English Soprano Sarah Brightman. They changed the title to “Time to Say Goodbye” and sang it as a tribute to German Boxing champion Henry Maske for his last fight (which he lost). They recorded the single as a duet with the new title and lyric which was, and remains, enormously popular. In his spring, 2003 tour, Mr. Kearns began using this lovely song to end his concerts.

In The Gloaming, 1912, words by Meta Orred, set by Annie Fortescue Harrison, is a song in the Irish style, not written by Irish composers, quite common in the early 20th century. There is a sweet love story attached to this song. It seems that an Annie Fortescue Harrison of Sussex was proposed to by a Lord Arthur Hill, sixth Marquis of Downshire. She was not in the same class, so quietly fled. Lord Arthur, devastated by her flight, never forgot her. Fast forward to a London concert. He heard the poignant, lovely lyric to this song and was reminded of his lost love. It set him on a new search for her, he found and wed her! According to one author in my research: the front of the sheet music “which I am holding in my hand” lists the music by Annie Fortescue Harrison and words by Meta Orred. However, on the back is listed: “In the Gloaming” by Lady Arthur Hill! Lord Hill was completely convinced that his lover had written this piece during the time they were apart, as it perfectly describes their parting. I leave it to you…….below is a link to the lovely lyric.
In the Gloaming

The Old Refrain was composed by the famous Austrian violinist Fritz Kreisler, who was a great friend of John McCormack, who sang the song. McCormack recorded the song with the composer playing the violin obligato part himself.*

If I Can Help Somebody With words and music by A. Bazel Androzzo, this lovely song "expresses sentiments which make it a great favorite in Christian churches of all denominations."* Anthony began singing this inspirational song during his Spring 2003 Tour, and it is quickly becoming one of his audiences' favorites.
If I Can Help Somebody

As I Sit Here is a beautiful, sentimental old song written in 1933 by Dena Tempest and Wilfrid Sanderson and is another piece popularized by John McCormack. This is a lovely song which requires the full range of the tenor voice and good technique to present it at its best. It was introduced into Anthony's Solo Repertoire in 2003 and it is done to perfection by him, with that final crystal clear note hanging in the air and in the memory.
As I Sit Here

Bird Songs at Eventide is a lovely little song of quietude and longing written by Eric Coates in 1926, words by Royden Barrie (Rodney R. Bennett). It was added to Anthony's repertoire in the late Fall 2003 tour.

*Written by Patrick Healy.
The webmaster wishes to extend her gratitude to Patrick Healy, Mary Carol Cahill, Emily Rose Clayton, and Marie Kelleher for their research assistance. Their help was invaluable and is deeply appreciated.

Solo Repertoire Index
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