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.
Changes
Christy Moore Lyrics
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Wander in my world, dream about the pictures I play, of changes.
Green leaves of summer turn red in the fall to brown and to yellow they fade.
Then they have to die and drop within the circle grand parade of changes.
Scenes of my young years are warm in my mind visions of shadows that shine,
'til one day I return and find they were the victims of the vines of changes.
The world is spinning madly adrift in the dark, it swings through a hollow of haze,
A race around the stars, a journey through the universe ablaze with changes.
Moments of magic will glow through the night all fears of the forest are gone.
When the morning breaks they're swept away like golden drops of dawn by changes.
Oceans will part to a strange melody, as fires will sometimes burn cold.
Like water in the wind we are puppets to the silver strings of changes.
Our tears will be trembling when we are somewhere else, one last cup of wine we will pour.
I'll kiss you one more time and leave you on the rolling river shore of changes.
The song "Changes" by Christy Moore conveys the concept of time and how everything around us changes, and how we need to adapt to these changes. The song is a reminder that nothing is static, and that we need to keep an open mind to embrace the inevitable changes in life. The song opens with inviting the listener to sit close by and share a memory of a time gone by, a memory that is now grey, indicating the passage of time. The singer then suggests that we should wander in his world and dream about the pictures he plays, implying that he wants the listener to come to terms with change, adapt to it, and learn from it.
The second verse describes the changing seasons- how the green leaves of summer turn red in the fall, and then fade to brown and yellow. The circle of life is reflected in these changes, with leaves dying and dropping to the ground. The third verse reflects on the memories of the past, which once shone but are now suffocated by the vines of change. The song suggests that we cannot hold on to our past but must confront the changes around us.
The next verse portrays the world spinning adrift in the dark, swinging through a hollow of haze, and a journey through the universe ablaze with changes. It talks about how we are subject to the silver strings of change, as we are puppets to the way life changes. The final verse has the singer acknowledging the inevitability of change and that we will have to leave loved ones behind, but we should cherish the last moments together as we pour one last cup of wine and kiss goodbye on the river shore of changes.
Line by Line Meaning
Sit by my side come as close as the air sharing a memory of grey,
Come sit close to me as we reminisce about a past memory that once seemed dull and lifeless.
Wander in my world, dream about the pictures I play, of changes.
Let's escape into the world of my imagination and fantasize about the transformations taking place.
Green leaves of summer turn red in the fall to brown and to yellow they fade.
As the seasons change, the vibrant summer leaves shed their colors, eventually wither away, and fade into oblivion.
Then they have to die and drop within the circle grand parade of changes.
Their inevitable end is to perish and be part of the cycle of transformations that keep happening around us.
Scenes of my young years are warm in my mind visions of shadows that shine,
My mind holds fond memories of my innocent younger days, illuminated by bright and lively shadows.
'til one day I return and find they were the victims of the vines of changes.
But upon returning to those memories, I realize they have been distorted by the unexpected transformations and changes in my life.
The world is spinning madly adrift in the dark, it swings through a hollow of haze,
The world seems to be spiraling out of control spinning wildly in the dark, lost in a fog of uncertainties.
A race around the stars, a journey through the universe ablaze with changes.
Life is like an endless race through the cosmic universe surrounded by the constant state of change.
Moments of magic will glow through the night all fears of the forest are gone.
At times, enchanting moments will emerge, dispelling all our fears just like the darkness fades away when dawn breaks.
When the morning breaks they're swept away like golden drops of dawn by changes.
These magical moments are fleeting and are swept away, much like the dewdrops glistening in the morning light.
Oceans will part to a strange melody, as fires will sometimes burn cold.
Sometimes, unexpected and strange things happen, much like oceans appear to part ways to a peculiar tune, and fires can burn out suddenly.
Like water in the wind we are puppets to the silver strings of changes.
We are like water being tossed around by the wind, controlled by the invisible but unstoppable forces of change.
Our tears will be trembling when we are somewhere else, one last cup of wine we will pour.
Our tears will flow while we are away, and we will seek solace in one final cup of wine.
I'll kiss you one more time and leave you on the rolling river shore of changes.
I'll give you one last kiss and bid you farewell as we part ways along the ever-changing banks of the river.
Contributed by Sophia M. 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