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.
January Man
Christy Moore Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Of leather
The February man still shakes the snow from off his
Clothes and blows his hands
The man of March he sees the Spring and wonders what
The year will bring
And hopes for better weather.
Come in to share the summer
The man of May stands very still to watch the children
Dance away the day
In June the man inside the man is young and wants to
Lend a hand
And smiles at each new comer.
In July the man in cotton short he sits and thinks and
Being idle
The August man in thousands take the road to find the
Sun and watch the sea
September man is standing near to saddle up another
Year
And Autumn is his bridle
The man of new October takes the rain and early frost
Is on his shoulder
The poor November man sees fire and mist and wind and
Rain and winter ere
December man looks through the snow to let eleven
Brothers know
They're all a little older
The January man he comes around again in coat and boots
Of leather
To take another turn and walk along the icy roads he
Knows so well
The January man is here the start of each and every
Year
Along the road forever
The song "January Man" by Christy Moore is a poignant reflection on the passing of time and the changing of seasons. The lyrics describe twelve different months and the corresponding emotions and experiences that come with each one. The titular character of the January man is a symbol of the cyclical nature of time and the inevitability of change. The song begins with January, with the man wearing a woolen coat and boots, walking along icy roads. It moves through the months, describing each man's experiences and emotions.
As the song moves through the months, the emotions and experiences of each man change. The February man still shakes snow off his clothes and blows his hands, while the man of March sees the arrival of spring and hopes for better weather. In June, the man inside the man is young and wants to lend a hand, while in July, the man sits idle, thinking. The lyrics describe the passing of time through subtle shifts in the imagery and tone of the song.
Overall, "January Man" is a powerful meditation on the passage of time and the inevitability of change. The song invites us to reflect on the cyclical nature of life and the beauty of the changing seasons.
Line by Line Meaning
The January man he goes around in woolen coat and boots
Of leather
The start of each year, January, brings a man who wears a warm woollen coat and leather boots. He roams around anticipating the coming year.
The February man still shakes the snow from off his
Clothes and blows his hands
February arrives, and the man dresses warmly to stay safe from the snow. He shivers and blows his frozen hands to keep them warm.
The man of March he sees the Spring and wonders what
The year will bring
And hopes for better weather.
The arrival of March brings a man who anticipates the coming of spring. He wonders what the year ahead of him will hold and hopes for favourable weather.
Through April rain the man goes down to watch the birds
Come in to share the summer
During April showers, a man watches birds return to share the summer season with him.
The man of May stands very still to watch the children
Dance away the day
In May, a man stands still and savours the lively dance of children, who enjoy their day unhindered.
In June the man inside the man is young and wants to
Lend a hand
And smiles at each new comer.
In June, the man feels young and helpful. He gives a supportive hand to others and relishes welcoming newcomers with a warm smile.
In July the man in cotton short he sits and thinks and
Being idle
In July, a man sits back in his cotton shorts to think and relax, idle for a while.
The August man in thousands take the road to find the
Sun and watch the sea
Thousands of men travel in August to find the sun and experience the beauty of the sea.
September man is standing near to saddle up another
Year
And Autumn is his bridle
In September, a man awaits to saddle up another year, like a horse. Autumn is the bridle that guides him.
The man of new October takes the rain and early frost
Is on his shoulder
The man of October endures the rain, and the early frost rests on his shoulders with determination.
The poor November man sees fire and mist and wind and
Rain and winter ere
November is hard; the man must withstand all types of weather, including rain, wind, and mist. The act of preparing for winter begins.
December man looks through the snow to let eleven
Brothers know
They're all a little older
In December, a man peers through snow to remind his brothers of the passage of time; they're all a little older.
The January man he comes around again in coat and boots
Of leather
To take another turn and walk along the icy roads he
Knows so well
January comes around again, bringing with it a man in a coat and leather boots who's familiar with icy roads. He takes another turn to walk through the new year.
The January man is here the start of each and every
Year
Along the road forever
The January man is a constant entity present at the start of each new year. He journeys along the road forever, looking forward to what the future holds.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: DAVE GOULDER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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