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.
Ballindine
Christy Moore Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where the river meanders on down
To my left lay the Comeragh Mountains
To the right of me sweet Sliabh na mBan
Where the fishermen cast on the waters
And the apples are pressed into wine
Where the herd returns slowly to pasture
Through the fields that surround Ballydine
I marvelled at nature′s abundance
In Tipperary so rich and so rare
I drank from the well of spring water
Breathing in deep the fresh air
When I came to John Hanrahan's homestead
In the fields around Ballycurkeen
I lay down in a meadow of wild flower
And dreamt a mysterious dream
I dreamt of a curious eviction
Unlike the evictions of old
No sign of a redcoat nor bailiff
′Twas more pernicious and cold
On the air cam a colourless vapour
The fields they felt silent and still
As I lay in that meadow of wildflower
Dreaming on Hanrahan's hill
When I awoke I was frightenened
I knew 'twas time to head home
I made my way back to Cluan Meala
On the road passing Merck Sharpe and Dohme
The lyrics to Christy Moore's song Ballindine describe the songwriter's wandering thoughts as he travels through the beautiful countryside of Tipperary, Ireland. The song sets the scene by describing the stunning natural surroundings of the area, with the Comeragh Mountains on one side and the sweet Sliabh na mBan on the other; a river winding its way through it all while fishermen cast their lines and apples are pressed into wine. The lyrics convey a sense of wonder and admiration for the abundance of nature found in such a rich and rare place.
However, the song takes a darker turn as it recounts the songwriter's mysterious dream of a curious eviction, unlike any of the evictions of old. There is no sign of a redcoat or bailiff, but instead a pernicious and cold colorless vapor that makes the fields feel silent and still. The dream leaves the songwriter frightened, and it is time for him to head back home.
The song seems to suggest that even the most stunning and natural landscapes can host dark and unnatural events. It speaks of the potential for these evictions, seemingly an outgrowth of modernization and capitalism, to disrupt and destroy the beauty of the natural world.
Line by Line Meaning
As I wandered abroad by Kilsheelan
As I roamed outside of my shelter at Kilsheelan
Where the river meanders on down
Where the river flows gently and idly
To my left lay the Comeragh Mountains
The Comeragh Mountains lay to the left of me
To the right of me sweet Sliabh na mBan
Sliabh na mBan, a sweet sight, lay on my right
Where the fishermen cast on the waters
Where fishermen throw their lines into the water
And the apples are pressed into wine
And where apples are squeezed and fermented to make wine
Where the herd returns slowly to pasture
Where the cows take their time returning to graze the meadow
Through the fields that surround Ballydine
Amidst the fields encircling Ballydine
I marvelled at nature′s abundance
I was astounded by the richness of nature
In Tipperary so rich and so rare
In the wealthy and unusual region of Tipperary
I drank from the well of spring water
I quenched my thirst with fresh spring water
Breathing in deep the fresh air
Inhaling deeply the crisp and refreshing air
When I came to John Hanrahan's homestead
When I reached John Hanrahan's property
In the fields around Ballycurkeen
In the fields surrounding Ballycurkeen
I lay down in a meadow of wild flower
I reclined in a field full of unmanaged flowers
And dreamt a mysterious dream
And I had an enigmatic dream
I dreamt of a curious eviction
I dreamed of a peculiar forced removal
Unlike the evictions of old
Unlike the expulsions of the past
No sign of a redcoat nor bailiff
I saw no indication of a soldier or an officer
′Twas more pernicious and cold
It was more malicious and chilling
On the air cam a colourless vapour
A colorless mist appeared in the air
The fields they felt silent and still
The fields were silent and completely motionless
As I lay in that meadow of wildflower
While I rested in that bed of untended flowers
Dreaming on Hanrahan's hill
Dreaming in the midst of Hanrahan's estate
When I awoke I was frightened
After waking up, I was alarmed
I knew 'twas time to head home
I realized that it was time to go back home
I made my way back to Cluan Meala
I returned to Cluan Meala on my feet
On the road passing Merck Sharpe and Dohme
While traversing the path that passes Merck Sharpe and Dohme
Writer(s): Christy Moore
Contributed by Carter G. 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