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.
John O'Dreams
Christy Moore Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Seek out your blanket and your(C) feathered(G) bed,
Home comes the(D) rover,his journey's(G) over
Yield up the night time to old(C) John O(G)'Dreams
(2)
Across the hill the sun has gone astray
Tomorrows cares are many dreams away
Yield up the night time to oldJohn O'Dreams
(3)
Both man and master in the night are one
All things are equal when the day is done
The prince and the ploughman,the slave the free man
All find their comfort in old John O'Dreams
All find their comfort in old John O'Dreams
(4)
When sleep it comes the dreams come running clear
The hawks of morning cannot reach you here
Sleep is a river,flow on for ever
And for your boatman choose old John O'Dreams
Yes for your boatman choose old John O'Dreams
The song "John O'Dreams" by Christy Moore is a hauntingly beautiful lullaby that talks about surrendering oneself to the comfort of sleep and dreams. The opening lines of the song speak about the end of the day and people returning home. It suggests that one should seek out their blanket and feathered bed and surrender the night to "old John O'Dreams," who is possibly a metaphor for the dream world. The second verse talks about the sun setting and how the stars are flying and the candle is dying out. The third verse suggests that when night comes, all men and masters are equal, and everyone finds comfort in old John O'Dreams. In the final verse, sleep is compared to a river that flows on forever, and John O'Dreams is suggested as the boatman who can navigate one's dreams and take them away from the worries of the world.
The song is essentially about surrendering oneself to the dream world, which can be seen as a refuge from the harsh realities of life. The lyrics suggest that dreams are a place where we can be free from the constraints of the world, and everyone can find comfort in them, regardless of their social standing. The song's slow, melancholic tune adds to the dreamy, lullaby-like quality of the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
When midnight comes and people homeward tread,
As the clock strikes twelve and people head back home,
Seek out your blanket and your feathered bed,
Find your warm and comfortable bedding to sleep in,
Home comes the rover, his journey's over
The traveler finally reaches his destination, ending his journey,
Yield up the night time to old John O'Dreams
Give in to the peacefulness of the night and let John O'Dreams guide you through your dreams.
Across the hill the sun has gone astray
The sun has set below the horizon behind the hill,
Tomorrows cares are many dreams away
The worries of the future belong in your dreams,
The stars are flying, your candle's dying
The stars are moving quickly, and your candle is burning out slowly,
Yield up the night time to old John O'Dreams
Embrace the tranquility of the night and let John O'Dreams lead the way.
Both man and master in the night are one
At night, everyone is equal regardless of their status or position,
All things are equal when the day is done
After a long day, everything seems to be leveled out,
The prince and the ploughman, the slave the free man
Everyone from royalty to farmers to slaves can find comfort in John O'Dreams,
All find their comfort in old John O'Dreams
Everyone can find solace and comfort in the dreams guided by John O'Dreams,
When sleep it comes the dreams come running clear
As sleep takes over, dreams become vivid and real,
The hawks of morning cannot reach you here
The troubles of the day cannot invade your dreams,
Sleep is a river, flow on forever
Sleep is a continuous flow like that of a river,
And for your boatman choose old John O'Dreams
Allow John O'Dreams to be your guide through the river of dreams.
Contributed by Colton I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@johnarmon7818
I love this song, and ya just cant get much better with Christy Moore singing it!! Fantastic!!
@murryjcohen
Jean Redpath and The Clancy Family do real good jobs.
@OhtobeinIreland
Jimzee, I can’t agree with you more! I don’t want to die before I get to hear Christy live! Let’s get this awful Covid under control and please God, my dream will come true!
@richardperkins5046
Niamh Parsons
@stephenbonin3049
Try listening to Darcy Brodericks version, 😊 you will change your mind.
@stephenbonin3049
https://youtu.be/nQKNAxYLiNA?si=rLX7F38n_-j7EDAB
@paulcreighton300
A local friend of the family sung this at my Uncles graveside. This song holds a place in my heart. Very touching.
@qyrila16
My sister picked this song for my father's funeral (John) 3 wks ago.A beautiful song.I will cherish it forever.
@Woodyjims-shack
Still remember seeing this on RTE back in the 70's
Beautiful as ever👍
@douglashadden2172
I'm afraid that's not possible. This was broadcast by the Scottish STV channel in 1985. The whole programme and others from the series have been posted by STV themselves elsewhere on Youtube. Search for "The Corries and Other Folk".