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.
James Connolly
Christy Moore Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where oh where is that gallant man ?
He is gone to organise the union
That working men they may yet be free.
Oh who then who will lead the van ?
Oh who then who will lead the van ?
Who but our James Connolly
Who will carry high the burning flag ?
Who will carry high the burning flag ?
Who but our James Connolly
Could carry high the burning flag.
They carried him up to the jail
They carried him up to the jail
And they shot him down on a bright May morning
And quickly laid him in his grave.
Who mourns the death of this great man ?
Who mourns the death of this great man ?
Oh bury me down in yon green garden
With union men on every side.
So they buried him down in yon green garden
With union men on every side
They swore they would form a mighty union
That James Connolly's name might be filled with pride.
Where oh where is our James Connolly ?
Where oh where is that gallant man ?
He is gone to organise the Union
That working men they may yet be free.
The song "James Connolly" by Christy Moore pays tribute to an Irish revolutionary leader, James Connolly, who fought for the rights of the working class during the early 20th century. The lyrics evoke a sense of loss and yearning for Connolly's leadership and his unwavering commitment to the cause of freedom for working men. The opening lines "Where oh where is our James Connolly? / Where oh where is that gallant man?" express the longing for his presence and leadership in the struggle to organize the union.
The song describes Connolly's fate, as he was arrested and executed by the British authorities for his involvement in the Easter Rising of 1916. The lines "They carried him up to the jail / And they shot him down on a bright May morning / And quickly laid him in his grave" powerfully convey the brutality and injustice of his treatment. The song ends with a call to action, urging others to carry on Connolly's legacy and work towards a society where working men can be free.
Overall, "James Connolly" is a poignant tribute to a leader who stood up for the rights of the working class and paid the ultimate sacrifice for his beliefs.
Line by Line Meaning
Where oh where is our James Connolly ?
Where is James Connolly when we need him?
Where oh where is that gallant man ?
Where is that brave and heroic man?
He is gone to organise the union
He is gone to fight for the rights of the working class people and unionize them
That working men they may yet be free.
To help working-class people attain freedom and basic human rights which are being denied to them.
Oh who then who will lead the van ?
Who can lead the workers for their rights?
Who but our James Connolly
Our hero, James Connolly is the one who can inspire and lead the workers for their rights.
Who will carry high the burning flag ?
Who will be willing to make sacrifices to lead the workers' revolution?
Who but our James Connolly
No one but James Connolly can carry the burden of leading the workers' revolution
Could carry high the burning flag.
Only James Connolly can take the responsibility of leading the workers' revolution
They carried him up to the jail
They arrested James Connolly and sent him to jail
And they shot him down on a bright May morning
They executed James Connolly for his efforts towards the workers' rights on a beautiful May morning
And quickly laid him in his grave.
Soon after his execution, he was buried in a burial site quickly without any public recognition.
Who mourns the death of this great man ?
Who honors the death of a great man, who sacrificed himself for workers' rights?
Oh bury me down in yon green garden
If I die and my death gets value, bury me in a peaceful green garden with the union men around me.
With union men on every side.
I want to be buried among the unionized working-class people who I fought both in my lifetime and even after my death for their rights.
They swore they would form a mighty union
The workers' comrades vowed to continue fighting together for their common goals and create a powerful workers' union in honor of James Connolly
That James Connolly's name might be filled with pride.
They wanted to immortalize James Connolly's name by continuing the fight for the workers' rights and forming a union in his memory.
Where oh where is our James Connolly ?
Their hero, James Connolly, is not physically present, but he lives through their struggles and endeavors towards workers' rights.
Where oh where is that gallant man ?
Where is that brave and heroic man who fought for workers' rights?
He is gone to organise the Union
James Connolly is no more, but his spirit still drives the workers towards organizing a union and fighting for their rights.
That working men they may yet be free.
The efforts in organizing the Union will free the working men from their struggles for basic human rights and decent working conditions.
Contributed by Avery J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@markybhoy1986
God Bless Christy, & God bless the great James Connolly
@shanedo1888
A better world is coming! Long live the people of the world!
@PianoMeSasha
dont hold ur breath.
@evelinekettle1150
Christy respects our heritage and justice for all
@kyleforrest9079
Edinburghs greatest and most famous son.
@johnkennethwiseman5460
Billy Connolly brought me here talking about his times with the great Christy
@evelinekettle1150
A beautiful tribute from Christy.
@GreatPolishWingedHussars
A beautiful tribute in honor of James Connolly, the Irish leader of the anti-British resistance organization Irish Citizen Army.
@urbanguerrilla64
Brilliant song...
@DoctorT2010
Christy at his very, very best.