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.
Jack Doyle
Christy Moore Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I could steal what womans heart there was away
Sing and dance into the dawning
Blaze a trail until the morning
Long before I was the man you see today
And I was born beneath the star that promised all
I could have lived my life between cork cobh and youghal
From the highest point she shook me
By the bottle live by the bottle i shall fall
But there in the mirror on the wall
I see the dream is fading
From the contender to the fall
The ring, the rose, the matador, raving
And when I die I'll die a drunk down on the street
You can count me out to ten in clear defeat
Rap the stary plough around me
Let the pipers air resound me
There I'll rest until the lord of love I meet
But there in the mirror on the wall
I see the dream is fading
From the contender to the brawl
The ring, the rose, the matador, raving
In Christy Moore's song Jack Doyle, the lyrics describe the life of a famous Irish boxer who was known not only for his prowess in the ring but also for his charismatic personality and partying lifestyle. The song paints a picture of a young Jack Doyle who could "steal what woman's heart there was away" with his singing and dancing until the early hours of the morning. However, as he got older, the "wheel of fortune" took a turn and he fell into alcoholism and despair, eventually dying as a drunk on the street.
The lyrics convey a sense of regret and sadness, with the singer acknowledging the fading of Jack Doyle's dream and the fall from grace of a once-great champion. The imagery of the "ring, the rose, the matador, raving" suggests the fleeting nature of fame and success and the destructive allure of excess.
Overall, the song Jack Doyle is a poignant reflection on the high price of fame and the consequences of living a life consumed by passion and excess.
Line by Line Meaning
When i was young and I was in my day
In my youth and prime, I had the ability to steal any woman's heart through my singing and dancing until the early hours of the morning. This was long before I became the man I am today.
Sing and dance into the dawning
Blaze a trail until the morning
I used to charm and entertain people with my singing and dancing skills all night long, without any concern for exhaustion, marking my trail until the morning.
Long before I was the man you see today
The person I am today is the culmination of the experiences and changes that occurred over the years after those early, carefree days of youthful success.
And I was born beneath the star that promised all
My life began with great promise, and I had the potential to achieve anything I desired, from riches to fame.
I could have lived my life between cork cobh and youghal
I could have led a comfortable and contented life in my hometowns and never left them.
But the wheel of fortune took me
Fate had other plans for me that were beyond my control.
From the highest point she shook me
My life took a downward turn from its peak at the hands of fate or the harsh realities of life.
By the bottle live by the bottle i shall fall
In response to these challenges, I turned to alcohol to help me cope, which only served to worsen my situation and lead to my eventual downfall.
But there in the mirror on the wall
I see the dream is fading
Despite my previous success, my dreams have faded away, and I must face the reality of my past and present life.
From the contender to the fall
The ring, the rose, the matador, raving
I went from being a contender, a symbol of strength and ambition, to a fallen one, a mere shadow of my former self, feeling lost and alone.
And when I die I'll die a drunk down on the street
You can count me out to ten in clear defeat
I know that when I pass away, it will likely be as a drunk lying on the street, having surrendered to my addiction and lost the battle to life's hardships.
Rap the stary plough around me
Let the pipers air resound me
There I'll rest until the lord of love I meet
When I am gone, lay down the flag of my homeland and have the pipers play music around my resting place, where I will remain until I am reunited with the one who loves me most.
Contributed by Evelyn T. 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