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.
Black Is The Colour
Christy Moore Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Her lips are like some roses fair,
She's the sweetest smile, And the gentlest hands,
I love the ground, Whereon she stands.
I love my love and well she knows,
I love the ground, whereon she goes,
I wish the day, it soon would come,
When she & I could be as one.
Black is the colour of my true love's hair,
Her lips are like some roses fair,
She's the sweetest smile, And the gentlest hands,
I love the ground, Whereon she stands.
I go to the Clyde and I mourn and weep,
For satisfied, I ne'er can be,
I write her a letter, just a few short lines,
And suffer death, a thousand times.
Black is the colour of my true love's hair,
Her lips are like some roses fair,
She's the sweetest smile, And the gentlest hands,
I love the ground, Whereon she stands.
The song "Black is the Colour" is a traditional folk song which has been covered by numerous artists such as Christy Moore, Nina Simone, and Joan Baez. The song captures the emotions of a man who is deeply in love with a woman whose hair is black in colour. The man describes her lips as being as fair as roses while also mentioning her gentle hands and sweet smile. He feels complete around her and loves the ground she walks on.
However, the man is unable to be with his true love and weeps by the Clyde river. He writes her a letter expressing his love but knows that he can never be with her, which causes him to suffer like death a thousand times. The lyrics are simple yet powerful, depicting the deep longing and unfulfilled desire of a man who cannot be with his true love.
Overall, "Black is the Colour" is a poignant and emotional song that has resonated with audiences for many years. It speaks of the pain of love and desire that cannot be fulfilled, and the longing for a partner who can never be yours.
Line by Line Meaning
Black is the colour of my true love's hair,
My true love has black hair, which I find beautiful and captivating.
Her lips are like some roses fair,
She has lips as red and lovely as a rose in bloom.
She's the sweetest smile, And the gentlest hands,
Her smile is kind and her touch is gentle, making her a wonderful and caring person.
I love the ground, Whereon she stands.
I hold so much love and admiration for her that even the ground she walks on is dear to me.
I love my love and well she knows,
I am open and honest about my love for her, and she is fully aware of how much I care for her.
I love the ground, whereon she goes,
Anywhere my love goes is sacred and important to me because she is there.
I wish the day, it soon would come,
I long for the day when we can be together and unite as one in love.
When she & I could be as one.
I dream of the day when we can be together and become one in our love for each other.
I go to the Clyde and I mourn and weep,
When I am away from my love, I am filled with sorrow and sadness.
For satisfied, I ne'er can be,
Nothing can truly satisfy me when I am apart from her, as she is the missing piece that completes me.
I write her a letter, just a few short lines,
To show my love for her even when we are apart, I take the time to write a heartfelt letter, albeit short.
And suffer death, a thousand times.
Being without my love feels like a fate worse than death and is something I would not wish to experience again.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CARA DILLON, SAM LAKEMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Valentina Licci
I heard this song for the first time few days ago here in Dublin in the International Pub by some musicians there. I did instantly deeply fell in love. Totally. In the middle of a pub I did stand still and I could feel tears coming. It was moving, deep, like a music I heard before long time ago somewhere. Oh the power of music. It did move a whole universe inside me in 2 minutes.
bbrack123
This gentleman has provoked a hunger in my soul for Irish history! I am a first generation American my parents are both Irish immigrants who spoke little of the oppression and racism they experienced growing up in the 40's and fifties i have been down a rabbit hole for a while exploring the the meanings behind the names and locations mentioned in Christy songs and the wolfe Tones theres some serious BUll*h*T that the Irish have endured historically Keep on Keepin on Christy The Wolfe Tones don't let us forget about Bob Sands or the Quitana Brigada your work is working! Im here and i hear !! Ourselves Alone!!!!
Russell Muir
It's a Scottish ballad about the hardship of life
Paul Obrien
Irish man here.. u haven't any idea. Our history would make the black lives matter realise blacks an Irish are extremely simular.
Dean Wade
1st generation 2nd, 3rd, 10th! It doesn’t matter. If your people identify as Irish and you feel Irish you’re Irish. The 40 shades of green will always be there to welcome you home. 🇮🇪 ☘️
Ken Russell
There be no Guinness at his gigs anymore.
Ken Russell
@Paul Obrien as Phil Lynott had on his t-shirt.
Patricia Delicia
I normally don’t like crowds singing along at gigs, but this is beautiful here hearing the audience so moved. ❤❤❤
Mark
An expat here in Cork, five years, a band covered this song at a local pub. I'm quite stoic but this made me shed a tear. I love you Ireland and her people. This Island is truly touched by the Almighty, praise be only to him. Appreciate the true experience of Love, for the Lord of the world's has blessed us with its sweetness and bitterness.
Mark M
There aren't many artists who can make a live performance sound this good.