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.
Hey! Ronnie Reagan
Christy Moore Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When John Kennedy paid us a visit.
Now the world's rearranged - not improved, only changed -
But our heart's in the same place - or is it?
CHORUS
Hey Ronnie Reagan, I'm black and I'm pagan,
I'm a non-fundamentalist environmentalist,
Please don't bother me.
You're so cool, playing poker with death as the joker,
You've nerve, but you don't reassure us.
With those paranoid vistas of mad Sandanistas,
Are you really defending Honduras?
You'll be wearing the green down at Ballyporeen,
The town of the little potato.
Put your arms around Garret and dangle your carrot,
But you'll never get me to join NATO .
CHORUS
Do you share my impression the world's in recession,
There's rather too much unemployment?
Still with Pershing and Cruise we'll have nothing to lose,
But millions in missile deployment.
We can dig shelter holes when we've bartered our souls,
For security then we can shovel.
While the myth of our dreams turns to nightmares, it seems,
From the White House straight back to the hovel.
CHORUS
Since the Irish dimension has won your attention,
I ask myself just what's your game.
Do your eyes share the tears of our last fifteen years,
Or is that just a vote-catcher's gleam?
Your dollars may beckon, but I think we should reckon,
The cost of accepting your gold.
If we join your alliance, what price our defiance,
What's left if our freedom is sold?
CHORUS
The song "Hey! Ronnie Reagan" by Christy Moore is a politically charged song addressing President Ronald Reagan's policies and actions. The lyrics are reflective of the time period in which they were written, with many references to global politics and the impact on Ireland. The first verse sets the tone, with mention of JFK's visit to Ireland 21 years prior, and how the world has changed since then. Moore questions if our hearts are still in the same place, or if they have changed along with the world.
The chorus of the song is an address to Ronald Reagan, with Moore stating that he is "black and pagan, gay and left and free." He makes it clear that he is not interested in being bothered by Reagan's policies or ideas. The song goes on to criticize Reagan's actions in Nicaragua, questioning his defense of Honduras and referencing the Sandinistas. Moore also mentions the small town of Ballyporeen, where Reagan's ancestors hail from, and jokes about him wearing green there. The final verse questions Reagan's intentions with Ireland and whether or not he truly cares for the nation or if his interest is purely political.
Overall, the song is a commentary on global politics and the impact they have on Ireland specifically. Moore's lyrics are a call to resist Reagan's policies and to question his motives. The chorus in particular is a defiant statement of identity, refusing to be categorized or bothered by Reagan's efforts.
Line by Line Meaning
I remember the show twenty-one years ago, When John Kennedy paid us a visit.
I can recall when John Kennedy visited long ago, twenty-one years in fact.
Now the world's rearranged - not improved, only changed - But our heart's in the same place - or is it?
The world today appears different, but not necessarily better. Our priorities may have changed as well, but have we really stayed true to our original values?
Hey Ronnie Reagan, I'm black and I'm pagan, I'm gay and I'm left and I'm free. I'm a non-fundamentalist environmentalist, Please don't bother me.
Hey Ronald Reagan, I identify as a black person, a pagan, also gay and on the left of the political spectrum. I strongly believe in environmentalism but not in a radicalised way. I'd rather stick to my convictions and not be bothered by your politics.
You're so cool, playing poker with death as the joker, You've nerve, but you don't reassure us. With those paranoid vistas of mad Sandanistas, Are you really defending Honduras?
You seem pretty chilled for someone who's playing a high stakes game with our lives at risk. Your macho approach doesn't exactly make us feel safe. Speaking of paranoia, do you really think you're protecting Honduras from crazy Sandanistas?
You'll be wearing the green down at Ballyporeen, The town of the little potato. Put your arms around Garret and dangle your carrot, But you'll never get me to join NATO.
I heard you're going to be hanging out in Ballyporeen, the home of a humble potato. You may be trying to cosy up to Garret, but I'm not falling for your charms. I'm not interested in joining NATO.
Do you share my impression the world's in recession, There's rather too much unemployment? Still with Pershing and Cruise we'll have nothing to lose, But millions in missile deployment.
Do you also feel like the world is in a recession and there are too many people who are unemployed? Even so, it seems like spending millions to deploy Pershing and Cruise missiles doesn't really solve our problems.
We can dig shelter holes when we've bartered our souls, For security then we can shovel. While the myth of our dreams turns to nightmares, it seems, From the White House straight back to the hovel.
We might end up having to dig our own shelter, having already given up our principles in exchange for security. Our dreams may have turned into nightmares, all the way from the White House back to our humble abodes.
Since the Irish dimension has won your attention, I ask myself just what's your game. Do your eyes share the tears of our last fifteen years, Or is that just a vote-catcher's gleam?
Now that you're focusing on the Irish dimension of politics, I'm wondering what your true motives are. Do you really understand the struggles we've faced in the past 15 years, or are you just trying to gain some support in the upcoming election?
Your dollars may beckon, but I think we should reckon, The cost of accepting your gold. If we join your alliance, what price our defiance, What's left if our freedom is sold?
Sure, your dollars may seem tempting, but we have to really think about what the costs of accepting them would be. If we joined your alliance, what would happen to our defiance and our freedom if we end up selling out?
Hey Ronnie Reagan, I'm black and I'm pagan, I'm gay and I'm left and I'm free. I'm a non-fundamentalist environmentalist, Please don't bother me.
Just in case it needs to be repeated, dear Ronald Reagan, I'll state it again. I identify as black, pagan, gay and leftist, and I really care about the environment. I'd rather you just leave me alone.
Writer(s): john maguire
Contributed by Harper V. 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