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.
Giuseppe
Christy Moore Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I think about Giuseppe Conlon
Who left his home in Belfast
And travelled over to his son
As he said goodbye to Sarah
And took the boat to Heysham
Little did Giuseppe know
He'd never see that place again.
Giuseppe was an ailing man
And every breath he drew
Into his tired lungs
He used to maintain his innocence
Behind those walls
Behind those bars
For everyday remaining in his life
Maintaining his innocence
Giuseppe Conlon, Giuseppe.
In Christy Moore's song Giuseppe, he tells the story of Giuseppe Conlon, a man from Belfast who travelled to London to visit his son. Unfortunately, Giuseppe was falsely accused and imprisoned for an IRA bombing that occurred in a Guildford pub in 1974. This event became known as the Guildford Four case and Giuseppe was one of the four innocent men who were convicted and sentenced to life in prison. He maintained his innocence until the end of his life, and despite appeals, he was never released from prison.
Moore's lyrics are full of poignant imagery and emotion, as he describes Giuseppe's journey and imprisonment. The lines "Little did Giuseppe know, He'd never see that place again" are particularly striking, as they highlight the enduring tragedy of Giuseppe's wrongful imprisonment. The portrayal of his struggle to maintain his innocence is equally heart-wrenching, as he uses every breath to fight against the forces that have unjustly robbed him of his freedom.
Overall, Moore's song does an excellent job of highlighting the injustice and oppression faced by Giuseppe and other victims of wrongful imprisonment. His lyrics are a powerful reminder of the importance of justice and the need to fight against such atrocities.
Line by Line Meaning
Every time I go to London
Each time I visit London
I think about Giuseppe Conlon
I remember Giuseppe Conlon
Who left his home in Belfast
Who departed from his residence in Belfast
And travelled over to his son
And journeyed to meet his son
As he said goodbye to Sarah
While bidding farewell to Sarah
And took the boat to Heysham
And boarded the vessel heading to Heysham
Little did Giuseppe know
Giuseppe was unaware
He'd never see that place again.
That he would not return to that location again
Giuseppe was an ailing man
Giuseppe was a sick man
And every breath he drew
With each and every inhalation
Into his tired lungs
Into his exhausted respiratory system
He used to maintain his innocence
He was dedicated to proving his innocence
Behind those walls
Confined within those walls
Behind those bars
Locked behind those bars
For everyday remaining in his life
Until every day he had left to live
Maintaining his innocence
Proving his innocence was his priority
Giuseppe Conlon, Giuseppe.
This was Giuseppe Conlon's struggle
Contributed by Zachary H. 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