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.
Among The Wicklow Hills
Christy Moore Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I see the birds' neck in the frame
A figure walks into the sunset
Someone goes past suspended from the sky
Takes more imagination
When everything's remote control
For me it's just a case of
Tell everybody
I'm going away for ten years
I'm going to wander
Among the Wicklow hills
The travelling children in their Sunday clothes
Lost on the corner of the Street
Fat gypsy lady smacks the windowpane
A farm dog gets out on the motorway
Takes more imagination
When everything's remote control
For me it's just a case of
What's on the far side of the road
Tell everybody
I'm going away for ten years
I'm going to wander
Among the Wicklow hills
The opening lines of Christy Moore's song "Among The Wicklow Hills" paint a vivid picture of a tranquil autumn evening, with the warm hues of copper splashed across the sky. In this backdrop, the singer observes the birds' neck in the frame, possibly referencing the image of birds silhouetted against the sunset. It's in this relaxing setting that someone walks into the sunset while someone else goes past suspended from the sky. The latter is a mysterious and intriguing image that seems to suggest the presence of an unknown force, almost like a suspension of disbelief that allows us to imagine something beyond our immediate reality.
The song's chorus is an invitation to explore the unknown and wander off the beaten path. In a world where everything's available at the touch of a button, it takes more imagination to look beyond the obvious and explore what's on the far side of the road. The singer urges us to break free from the mundane and the familiar, to tell everybody that we're going away for ten years and wander among the Wicklow hills. The Wicklow Mountains are a range in the southeast of Ireland, known for their stunning landscapes, rich history, and abundant wildlife. To wander among them is to step into a world of endless possibilities, where the wind whispers secrets and the mountains hold untold stories.
Line by Line Meaning
The autumn evenings filled with copper shades
The sun setting in autumn creates a beautiful, warm glow in the sky.
I see the birds' neck in the frame
I can see the intricate details of the birds in the foreground against the stunning backdrop of the sunset.
A figure walks into the sunset
Someone is walking towards the horizon where the sun has set.
Someone goes past suspended from the sky
A person or object appears to be floating in the sky, creating a surreal and breathtaking sight.
Takes more imagination
When everything's remote control
It's easy to become detached and unimpressed with the world around us, but it requires more creativity and wonder to appreciate the beauty in real life.
For me it's just a case of
What's on the far side of the road
I am intrigued by what lies beyond what I can see, and I am eager to explore every corner of the world.
Tell everybody
I'm going away for ten years
I am leaving for an extended period of time to embark on a journey of discovery and adventure.
I'm going to wander
Among the Wicklow hills
I plan to explore and traverse the beautiful and rugged terrain of the Wicklow Hills region in Ireland.
The travelling children in their Sunday clothes
Lost on the corner of the Street
Young children dressed up for a religious occasion are wandering aimlessly and lost on a street corner.
Fat gypsy lady smacks the windowpane
A farm dog gets out on the motorway
A large, boisterous gypsy woman hits a window while a farm dog escapes onto a busy highway, causing chaos in the surrounding area.
Contributed by Taylor Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Oisin feehilly
on By Barna
Hellow Lady, Can I borrow your teddy
Samuel Joseph Donnelly
on Whacker Humphries
Ask "whacker" about the Provo they marched on and set up for votes in council elections- set up by a brasser from the Barn named Lilly Healy- 18 fucking years in blocks/cages/ torture centres and back stabbed by wannabes from Dublin! Between Active service ( killing etc whacker in case you didn't know!!
Chloe Mcl
on Hey Paddy
Is that the words Brendan O'Carroll sing