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.
Johnny Connors
Christy Moore Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My people have been traveling since time it first began
With my horse and covered wagon and my family by my side
Grazing the long acre, I traveled far and wide
I met Bridie Maughan my sweet wife on a fair day in Rathkeale
She was the finest traveling girl that ever wore a shawl
We worked the tin around Galway on up to Ballinasloe
We sold the old linoleum, swapped carpets for old pine
But as the years passed on, the traveling life got harder all the time
Where have all the halting places gone all them friendly doors
Where we'd haul spring water from the well and sell paper flowers
Now it's guards and jailers and JCB's to roll big boulders in
Temporary dwellings are prohibited
Innocent little traveling children lost out on them streets
Sons and Daughters on the wine and lying round me feet
As they try to dull the hurt and pain the rejection that's imposed
Travelers are not wanted here but there's no place left to go
My name is Johnny Connors I am a traveling man
I've taken everything that's been thrown at me
Now it's time to make a stand
The song "Johnny Connors" by Christy Moore is a ballad that tells the story of a traveling man named Johnny Connors who has been traveling with his family for generations. Johnny describes how his family has been traveling since time immemorial and how he has spent his life living in a covered wagon, traveling far and wide with his family and his horse. He met his wife Bridie Maughan on a fair day in Rathkeale where they fell in love and eventually got married.
Johnny also describes the hardships and challenges that come with traveling life. He and his family would sell things like old linoleum and carpets in places like Ballinasloe, which was the place to go for travelers looking to sell horses. However, over the years the traveling life has become increasingly difficult. Halting places that used to provide temporary dwellings for traveling families are now prohibited and guards and jailers are used to drive out travelers. This has led to millions of little traveling children being lost out on the streets and sons and daughters turning to wine and other vices to deal with the pain of rejection.
The song portrays the reality of life for traveling people and the challenges they face in society. It is a call to action for all humanity to treat travelers and people from all walks of life with kindness and compassion. It encourages people to defend their rights to exist and to stand up against the injustices that they face.
Line by Line Meaning
My name is Johnny Connors I am a traveling man
I am a member of a group of people who have been traveling since the beginning of time.
My people have been traveling since time it first began
My ancestors and I have been traveling for generations and have a rich history of moving from place to place.
With my horse and covered wagon and my family by my side
I travel with my family and use an old-fashioned covered wagon and horse for transportation.
Grazing the long acre, I traveled far and wide
I have covered many miles of open land with my horse and wagon, living off the land as I go.
I met Bridie Maughan my sweet wife on a fair day in Rathkeale
I met my lovely wife, who is also a traveler, at a fair day in Rathkeale.
She was the finest traveling girl that ever wore a shawl
My wife was the most beautiful traveler I had ever seen and wore a traditional shawl that represented her culture.
We worked the tin around Galway on up to Ballinasloe
We made a living in Galway and Ballinasloe by selling and trading tin goods.
For a traveler with a horse to sell it was the place to go
This area was known as a good place for travelers to sell their horses.
We sold the old linoleum, swapped carpets for old pine
We traded linoleum and carpets for old pine wood to use in our wagon.
But as the years passed on, the traveling life got harder all the time
Over time, the lifestyle of a traveler became more difficult and less accepted by the rest of society.
Where have all the halting places gone all them friendly doors
We used to have welcoming places to stop and rest on our journeys, but now there are fewer of these places available.
Where we'd haul spring water from the well and sell paper flowers
We used to collect water from a well and sell paper flowers to make a living on the road.
Now it's guards and jailers and JCB's to roll big boulders in
Now, instead of being welcomed, we face guards and jailers and heavy machinery rolling in to prevent us from resting in certain areas.
Temporary dwellings are prohibited
We are not allowed to set up temporary homes or campsites in many areas, making it difficult to find a place to stay on our journeys.
Innocent little traveling children lost out on them streets
Our children are often without a home or school, forced to live on the streets because of the prejudice against travelers.
Sons and Daughters on the wine and lying round me feet
My own children have turned to drinking and sometimes lie drunk around me because of the hardships of being a traveler.
As they try to dull the hurt and pain the rejection that's imposed
My children drink to ease the pain of being rejected by society and denied their basic human rights as travelers.
Travelers are not wanted here but there's no place left to go
We are unwanted by most of society, but have nowhere else to go as our lifestyle and identity as travelers is all that we know.
My name is Johnny Connors I am a traveling man
I am still a proud member of the traveling community, even though it has become more difficult to maintain our way of life.
I've taken everything that's been thrown at me
I have faced many struggles and obstacles as a traveler, but have persevered nonetheless.
Now it's time to make a stand
It is time to take action and stand up for the rights of travelers in the face of discrimination and prejudice.
Contributed by Julia V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
D C
Legend!💚✌☘🇮🇪
Danny McElhone
this song is very emotional and very good, gon christy
Martin Mcdonagh
tank you very much cristy up the travllers