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.
Belfast Brigade
Christy Moore Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Came to shoot the people down
They thought the IRA was dead
In dear old Belfast town
Those cruel English soldiers
They were seriously dismayed
"no Surrender" was the war cry of the Belfast brigade
Glory, glory to this island,
Glory to the memory of the men
Who found their grave,
"No surrender" is the war cry of
The Belfast Brigade.
The soldiers came from Holywood,
Equipped with English guns,
There were men by the thousand,
Ammunition by the ton,
But when they got to Belfast,
They were seriously delayed,
By the fighting First Battalion
Of the Belfast Brigade.
We have no ammunition,
Or no armoured tanks to show,
But we're ready to defend ourselves,
No matter where we go,
We're out for our Republic,
And to hell with your Free State,
"No surrender" is the war cry
Of the Belfast Brigade.
Come all you gallant Irishmen,
And join the IRA
We'll strike a blow for freedom,
When it comes a certain day,
You know your country's history,
And the sacrifice it made,
Come join the First Battalion
Of the Belfast Brigade.
The lyrics to Christy Moore's song "Belfast Brigade" are a powerful testament to the strength and resilience of the Irish people in the face of brutal oppression. The Black and Tans, a notorious British paramilitary force, are referenced as they came to Belfast with the intention of suppressing the IRA. However, the Belfast Brigade, comprised of regular people who were committed to protecting their community, was a force to be reckoned with.
The lyrics also contain a sense of pride in Irish identity and a willingness to fight for a united Republic. Despite lacking the same resources and weaponry as the British soldiers, the Belfast Brigade vowed to defend themselves and their fellow citizens no matter what.
The refrain of "Glory to old Ireland" is a call to arms that speaks to the heart of Irish identity and the desire to be free from colonial rule. The idea of "no surrender" is a bold reminder that the Irish will not be broken, no matter the tactics used against them.
Overall, the song is a tribute to the courage and determination of the Irish people and an expression of hope that they will one day be free from oppression and reunited as one nation.
Line by Line Meaning
The black and tans from London
Referring to English soldiers who wore black and tan uniforms, came to Belfast to instigate violence.
Came to shoot the people down
The English soldiers arrived to use brutal force on the people of Belfast.
They thought the IRA was dead
The English soldiers believed that the Irish Republican Army (IRA) was no longer active or a threat in Belfast.
In dear old Belfast town
Belfast is a beloved city among those in the IRA and therefore the violence committed against the city is all the more painful.
Those cruel English soldiers
The author expresses his disdain for the English soldiers who killed many people during the conflict.
They were seriously dismayed
The English soldiers were shocked that the IRA was still operational and effective in their resistance.
"no Surrender" was the war cry of the Belfast brigade
The Belfast Brigade expressed their resolve to fight against the English soldiers until the end with their war cry of "no surrender".
Glory, glory to old Ireland,
The author praises the country of Ireland and its history of resistance against colonizers.
Glory, glory to this island,
The author wants to highlight the beauty and importance of Ireland despite the ongoing conflict.
Glory to the memory of the men
The author honors those who lost their lives fighting for their country's freedom.
Who found their grave,
The author acknowledges the deadly cost of the conflict on those who fought for freedom.
"No surrender" is the war cry of
The war cry of "no surrender" is significant to the Belfast Brigade's resolve to keep fighting for their freedom.
The Belfast Brigade.
The Belfast Brigade is the author's focus as a group of fighters in the IRA who he highly respects.
The soldiers came from Holywood,
The English soldiers came from the town of Holywood near Belfast.
Equipped with English guns,
The English soldiers brought weapons from England for their attack on Belfast.
There were men by the thousand,
The English forces were a massive group, outnumbering the IRA fighters in Belfast.
Ammunition by the ton,
The English forces were highly equipped with the right amount of ammunition for their deadly attack on the IRA in Belfast.
But when they got to Belfast,
The English forces successfully arrived to their destination in Belfast.
They were seriously delayed,
Despite their efforts, the English forces met resistance from the First Battalion of the Belfast Brigade, causing setbacks in their plans.
By the fighting First Battalion
The First Battalion of the Belfast Brigade was actively fighting against the English forces and giving them trouble.
Of the Belfast Brigade.
The author continues to honor the fighting power of the Belfast Brigade.
We have no ammunition,
The IRA was ill-equipped to fight against the English forces, lacking proper weapons and ammunition.
Or no armoured tanks to show,
The IRA was unable to fight with tanks or other armored equipment.
But we're ready to defend ourselves,
Despite their lack of proper weapons, the IRA was prepared to defend themselves during the conflict with the English forces.
No matter where we go,
The IRA believes strongly in their resistance and is willing to stand up for themselves and their beliefs wherever they are.
We're out for our Republic,
The ultimate goal of the IRA is to establish a republic across Ireland and be free from British rule.
And to hell with your Free State,
The IRA does not agree with the Free State as an alternative to British rule, preferring complete independence for Ireland.
Come all you gallant Irishmen,
The author is encouraging and addressing all Irishmen to join the IRA fight against the English forces.
And join the IRA
The IRA is the group that the author is fighting for and inviting others to join.
We'll strike a blow for freedom,
By joining the IRA, people will have the opportunity to fight for their freedom against colonizers.
When it comes a certain day,
There will come a day when the Irish people will no longer be oppressed and will achieve freedom from colonizers.
You know your country's history,
The author reminds the Irish people to remember their country's history of fighting for freedom and independence.
And the sacrifice it made,
The author recognizes and honors the sacrifices made by the Irish people in fighting for their country's freedom.
Come join the First Battalion
The author invites all who are passionate about fighting for Ireland's freedom to join the First Battalion of the Belfast Brigade.
Of the Belfast Brigade.
The author continues to praise the fighting power of the Belfast Brigade and encourages others to join them.
Contributed by Lauren N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Domitianvs
That is indeed Christy, albeit 40 years ago. This song is from his very limited (I think it was 500 co.) debut album "Paddy on the Road" from 1969. He was still litte more than a lad back then (24 years or so), so no wonder his voice has changed over the years.
@irishfield1
Amazing Christy ever ........amazing ever thank you
@Bepold
"We're out for our Republic and to Hell with their Free State, NO SURRENDER IS THE WAR CRY OF THE BELFAST BRIGADE" Provisional Sinn Féin would do well to listen to this song.
@irishblondie6750
🇮🇪☘✊
@jm9661
Very dated comment
@Seamus616
it makes me proud to be from Ulster, and most importantly Ireland
@waddayabuying5258
Absolute banger
@ElRojoDiablo1
Pity he's not singing these songs anymore........... Amazing what a record company can do to the man who sang about Section 31...........
@whichbit
very relevant song to the time
@timalloybhoy
Excellent!