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.
Hiroshima Nagasaki Russian Roulette
Christy Moore Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No-one had ever seen such a terrible[ sight before
The world looked on with eyes wide to see where it
Might lead
The politics of power, they passed around their seed
It was a time to remember, we never can forget
They were playin' Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Russian
Roulette
They arose like the saviours of our modern human race
With radiation haloes, that hung about their face
With the key to the sure-cure, the treatment of our
Ills
A hot-shot of cobalt, and a pocket-full of pills
Speaking always of the enemy, who lurked across the
Sea
While they crept in among us like a carrier disease
Deep down inside the bunkers of the concrete and the
Lead
Einstein's disciples working steadily ahead
Making heavy metal power-plants to fire the city
Lights
All you can hear in the underground is the humming
Through the night
And the walls of tight security, circle all around
Where they spill out their poison and bury it in the
Ground
Holed up in the harbours hidden secretly away
War-heads and submarines await to make their play
The military masterminds improve on their design
The soldiers get all doped up and stumble through the
Lines
While the spills into the rivers get carried out by the
Tide
They call this security but we're not satisfied
Our statesmen and leaders and politicians pay
Quick to heed the hand that feeds, they're careful what
They say
They call out experts to assure us, to wave their magic
Wands
This is the power of the future, And the future marches
On
And they call in their favours, all their political
Gains
While the spills fill the rivers and settle in the
Plains
I know the minds behind them, they are riddled full of
Holes
Not to be trusted with their hands at the controls
Their eyesight it is twisted by the glory of their
Careers
The heaped praise and flattery is music to their ears
To listen to them talk about how it hasn't happened
Yet's
Like playing Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Russian Roulette
The lyrics of Christy Moore's song "Hiroshima Nagasaki Russian Roulette" reflect on the devastation of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and the potential for nuclear weapons to destroy humanity. The first verse refers to the dropping of the bomb in '45 to end World War II, and the world being shocked by the sight of the explosion. The politics of power and the quest for dominance are seen as driving forces behind the creation and use of nuclear weapons. Moore sees this as a dangerous game of Russian roulette, where the risk is the end of civilisation.
In the second verse, Moore describes the nuclear scientists who gave humanity the atomic bomb, and the resulting effect of radiation sickness, that resembles a halo around their faces. Moore is critical of the scientists working underground, who are building weapons of mass destruction in secret, and the politicians who allow it to happen, despite the known dangers. The military masterminds, whose designs for weapons and warheads have become more advanced, are slowly poisoning the earth.
The final verse talks of the politicians and leaders who take advantage of their positions to gain political power and secure their futures, while disregarding the environmental destruction and risks brought on by nuclear weapons development. Moore sees this as a game of Russian roulette and believes that the people in power ultimately have a morally bankrupt approach to dealing with nuclear weapons and their fallout.
Line by Line Meaning
They dropped the bomb in '45 to end the world war
The bomb was dropped to end the war, but its destructive power was unimaginable.
No-one had ever seen such a terrible sight before
The world had never seen such a horrific sight before.
The world looked on with eyes wide to see where it might lead
The world watched in shock, wondering where this would lead to.
The politics of power, they passed around their seed
Politicians traded power among themselves.
It was a time to remember, we never can forget
The event was unforgettable.
They were playin' Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Russian Roulette
The world was playing a dangerous game with nuclear weapons.
They arose like the saviours of our modern human race
The people who created nuclear weapons were seen as saviors.
With radiation haloes, that hung about their face
The creators of nuclear weapons were surrounded by radiation.
With the key to the sure-cure, the treatment of our Ills
Nuclear weapons were seen as a cure for the world's problems.
A hot-shot of cobalt, and a pocket-full of pills
Nuclear weapons were created and tested for their destructive power.
Speaking always of the enemy, who lurked across the Sea
The creators of nuclear weapons constantly reminded the world of their enemies.
While they crept in among us like a carrier disease
The creators of nuclear weapons infiltrated society like a disease.
Deep down inside the bunkers of the concrete and the Lead
Scientists worked on nuclear weapons in underground bunkers.
Einstein's disciples working steadily ahead
Scientists were inspired by Einstein's work on nuclear energy.
Making heavy metal power-plants to fire the city Lights
Power plants were created to supply energy for cities.
All you can hear in the underground is the humming Through the night
The underground bunkers were always humming with activity.
And the walls of tight security, circle all around
The underground bunkers were heavily guarded.
Where they spill out their poison and bury it in the Ground
Nuclear waste was disposed of in secret and hazardous ways.
Holed up in the harbours hidden secretly away
Nuclear weapons were kept hidden in military bases.
War-heads and submarines await to make their play
Nuclear weapons were kept on submarines, ready to be launched.
The military masterminds improve on their design
The military constantly worked to improve nuclear weapons.
The soldiers get all doped up and stumble through the Lines
Soldiers who handled nuclear weapons were often impaired.
While the spills into the rivers get carried out by the Tide
Nuclear waste was dumped in rivers and oceans.
They call this security but we're not satisfied
The government called this security, but it did not make people feel safe.
Our statesmen and leaders and politicians pay
Politicians were influenced by those who funded them.
Quick to heed the hand that feeds, they're careful what They say
Politicians were careful not to speak out against nuclear weapons.
They call out experts to assure us, to wave their magic Wands
Experts were called upon to assure people that nuclear weapons were safe.
This is the power of the future, And the future marches On
Politicians saw nuclear power as the future.
And they call in their favours, all their political Gains
Politicians called in favors from those who funded them.
While the spills fill the rivers and settle in the Plains
Nuclear waste continued to pollute the environment.
I know the minds behind them, they are riddled full of Holes
The people who created nuclear weapons were not trustworthy.
Not to be trusted with their hands at the controls
The creators of nuclear weapons should not be in control of them.
Their eyesight it is twisted by the glory of their Careers
The creators of nuclear weapons were motivated by the fame and success that came with their careers.
The heaped praise and flattery is music to their ears
The creators of nuclear weapons were flattered by the praise they received.
To listen to them talk about how it hasn't happened yet's
Creators of nuclear weapons refused to acknowledge the potential consequences.
Like playing Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Russian Roulette
Creating and using nuclear weapons is like playing a game of Russian Roulette with the future of humanity.
Lyrics © JIM PAGE D/B/A WHID-ISLE MUSIC
Written by: JIM PAGE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@edmundcoyle364
Great. Ever more relevant nowadays.
@fromcreationtochrist9349
"They call this security"
"I call it suicide"
Absolutley love this. Good man christy, allways tells it like it is.
@jordanwilliamson9208
Very much part of my playlist. Somewhat apt given im stateside now.
@lovesings2us
What a rare courage and amazing musicality! At this time, according to careful scientists, the US is closer to the brink of nuclear war and it's destruction of the planet, than we've ever been. Unfortunately most people don't realize the gravity of out current plight. We urgently need more brave people to sing out and to speak up while we still can.
@welshwarrior9279
Nothing new under the sun...
History repeats..
Love you..love you all..💞
@TheZeusIsHere1
Ride on Christy, ride on!
@paddyopatrick2941
Absolutely class Christy Moore
@mauriziogiudici3458
Thank you Christy for all your songs. Great man
@milfordturntablism2741
Thank you Christy, sent with love from Wales <3
@TheoriginalAnnabel
Amazing song - cheers Christy