Christy Moore started in the music business in the mid-sixties, when his life as a bank clerk was interrupted by a bank strike, and he moved to England. There he became involved in the folk music scene at the time, and spent a few years playing pubs and clubs around the country.
His return to Ireland was marked by the album 'Prosperous', which proved to be a milestone in the rapprochement of Irish music to the popular mainstream. This album benefited from a collaboration of the leading talents of contemporary folk music, musicians such as Andy Irvine, Donal Lunny and Liam O'Flynn, and this one-off was to lead to the formation of Planxty, a band who were soon to be at the leading edge of the revival of Irish traditional music.
Over the following years the musical status of Planxty became legendary both in Ireland, Britain and throughout Europe. However in 1974 the band split up to pursue solo projects. It was during this period that Christy continued to explore new ground as a solo artist recording a number of solo albums including 'The Iron Behind the Velvet' (TARACD2002) which featured Andy Irvine and 'Live in Dublin' (TARACD2005) with Donal Lunny.
The original Planxty lineup of Christy, Andy, Liam and Donal then reformed in 1979. They recorded two further albums with Tara Records 'After the Break' (TARACD3001) and 'The Woman I Loved So Well' (TARACD3005). There were several additions and changes to their lineup most notably the addition of Matt Molloy, flautist from The Bothy Band, who later joined The Chieftains, and Bill Whelan.
In 1981 Planxty performed a Bill Whelan arrangement called 'Timedance' as the intermission piece for the Eurovision song contest, held that year in Ireland. Later it was released as a single and is now included on Bill's CD of 'The Seville Suite' (TARACD3030) released by Tara in 1992.
In the eighties Christy again teamed up with Donal Lunny to form Moving Hearts, another ambitious and innovative Irish band which sought to mix jazz into the folk-rock fusion. Ever the wanderer, Christy was soon breaking out on his own again, and it was in the eighties that he began to establish himself as one of Ireland's leading solo artists with a string of acclaimed albums and high profile tours.
In the mid-nineties Christy decided to take a break from the music for a few years. In the year 2000 Christy return to live performances with a series of Dublin concerts. Over the last few years he has released a number of solo projects including a television series, a live album and a 6 CD boxset.
A Letter to Syracuse
Christy Moore Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I told them that we were doing fine, very much to their surprise
For how were they to know that here the ground was soaked in red
Or that we could fill the valley with our dead.
I started out and told them that by Christmas we'd begin
To pack our bags and head on home to bring the new year in
While all around me boys who help me sow last season's crop
I told my mother not to write cause we're always moving on
I told my brother not to join cause he'd only fight me gun
But if we keep on much further retreating all the way
Oh we'd all be going home just any day.
I wrote me a letter to Syracuse, it was a letter full of lies
I told them that we were doing fine, very much to their surprise
For how were they to know that here the ground was soaked in red
Or that we could fill the valley with our dead.
In Christy Moore's song A Letter to Syracuse, the singer talks about writing a letter full of lies to those back home in Syracuse, presumably during a war (possibly the American Civil War based on the timing of when Syracuse was founded and the language used in the song). The singer tells them that they are doing fine and will be home soon, but in reality, the ground is soaked in blood and they are losing many men. The chorus repeats the idea of the lies being told and the shock those back home would feel if they knew the truth.
The first verse talks specifically about the death toll and the singer's belief that they could "fill the valley with our dead." The second verse touches on how the singer has urged their family not to talk about the war or get involved, perhaps out of fear for their safety. The final verse returns to the idea of the lies being told and the reality of the situation.
Line by Line Meaning
I wrote me a letter to Syracuse, it was a letter full of lies
The persona wrote a deceitful letter to Syracuse.
I told them that we were doing fine, very much to their surprise
The persona conveyed a message of wellness to the recipients of the letter, though it was far from the truth.
For how were they to know that here the ground was soaked in red
The letter's recipient was unaware that blood saturated the earth in the persona's locale.
Or that we could fill the valley with our dead.
The death toll was enormous and had a detrimental effect on the community.
I started out and told them that by Christmas we'd begin
At the beginning of the letter, the artist stated that they would be returning home at Christmas.
To pack our bags and head on home to bring the new year in
The persona planned to return home and celebrate the new year with their family and friends.
While all around me boys who help me sow last season's crop
The individuals around the singer assisted in planting crops the previous year.
By charging at the cannons till they drop
These same people put themselves in danger, fighting at the front lines until exhaustion or death.
I told my mother not to write cause we're always moving on
The persona requested that his mother not write to him due to their constant displacement.
I told my brother not to join cause he'd only fight me gun
The artist suggested that his brother not enlist to fight because he would be fighting against him.
But if we keep on much further retreating all the way
If the singer and his company continue their retreat, they may eventually make it back home.
Oh we'd all be going home just any day.
The persona expressed his desire to return home soon, though it is not certain if they will ever make it back.
Contributed by Mackenzie R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Paddy.mac1981
love it thanks for the upload sir.......from south armagh
@gerardmurray6052
Class song
@johnnygooey
magic memories
@seannamadra5675
Too right!
@cullanmccullough3302
Nice one paddy west belfast tal
@dhss333
This is not Christy singing.
@kevinchristie5714
+Aidan Convery tis
@doonhamer8101
+Aidan Convery This IS Christy Moore. The Prosperous album was the genesis of the legendary Planxty line-up of the Seventies. Everything followed from that. Buying it was one of the cleverest things I ever did in a record shop.
@malachy1847
+John O'Fee Don't think so no youthful Kildare accent.... I must dust off the C.D to check..... tis on the Prosperous Album all right... but the fiddle harmonica and guitar, wouldn't be on same, plus in the Prosperous same relates to Prosperous Country Kildare, where it was recorded think in a Basement of his sister's house if i can remember right, and it sounded like same.....so the acoustics were indeed strangely strange.....
@RockyRoader
It is - have a listen to the track on Spotify - identical.
SLight american accent affectation for some reason, but it's Christy alright.