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 Don't Go
Christy Moore Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where you always get so disappointed
Johnny don't go to Carragaline
I'm not coming with you this time
You only go there to get let down
Johnny don't go Johnny don't go
Johnny don't go stay in town
Johnny don't go calling that woman
She's the one left you behind
If you go and call that woman
I'm not coming with you this time
If you go up to Mallow
You better beware of the big Blackwater
If you went as far as Mallow
You might never again come down
Johnny don't go to the banks of the Shannon
Johnny don't go to the banks of the Nile
Johnny don't go to the tower of London
Hang around for another little while
Johnny don't go to the Crystal Palace
Johnny don't go to the hole in the wall
Johnny don't go to the big television
Hey Johnny don't go at all
Where would you be going
Where would you be going
Where would you be going
Where would you be going
Johnny don't go Johnny don't go
Johnny don't go stay in town
The lyrics to Christy Moore's Johnny Don't Go speak to a friend who is contemplating leaving town to seek adventure and perhaps change his fortunes. But the singer warns him off the various destinations he mentions, which he suggests offer little in the way of excitement and may even bring disappointment or danger. Stay in town, the singer repeats. But he doesn't just counsel his friend to stay put; he seems to caution against making any bold moves or chasing after alluring but ultimately disappointing prospects.
The chorus of the song—Johnny don't go—serves as a refrain that echoes the singer's central message, but its repetition also gives the song a haunting quality, as if reflecting the friend's inner debate and the singer's attempt to break through it.
While the meaning of some of the places mentioned in the lyrics may be unclear to those unfamiliar with Ireland's geography, the mood Christy Moore captures in the song is universal. The uncertainty and wariness of chasing after big dreams or embarking on new journeys can be daunting, and the urge to stay put and play it safe can be strong. In this song, the singer urges caution but also highlights the ultimate choice one must make for oneself.
Line by Line Meaning
Johnny don't go to Ballincollig
Don't go to Ballincollig, it always disappoints you
Where you always get so disappointed
You are always disappointed when you go there
Johnny don't go to Carragaline
Don't go to Carragaline, I'm not coming with you this time
I'm not coming with you this time
I won't accompany you this time
You only go there to get let down
You only go there to be disappointed
Johnny don't go Johnny don't go
Don't go Johnny, don't go
Johnny don't go stay in town
Stay in town Johnny, don't go
Johnny don't go calling that woman
Don't call that woman, she left you behind
She's the one left you behind
She was the one who abandoned you
If you go and call that woman
If you call that woman
I'm not coming with you this time
I won't accompany you this time
If you go up to Mallow
If you go to Mallow
You better beware of the big Blackwater
Be careful of the big Blackwater
If you went as far as Mallow
If you went to Mallow
You might never again come down
You might never come back down
Johnny don't go to the banks of the Shannon
Don't go to the banks of the Shannon
Johnny don't go to the banks of the Nile
Don't go to the banks of the Nile
Johnny don't go to the tower of London
Don't go to the tower of London
Hang around for another little while
Stay around for a little longer
Johnny don't go to the Crystal Palace
Don't go to the Crystal Palace
Johnny don't go to the hole in the wall
Don't go to the hole in the wall
Johnny don't go to the big television
Don't go to the big television
Hey Johnny don't go at all
Hey Johnny, don't go at all
Where would you be going
Where do you think you are going?
Where would you be going
Where are you planning to go?
Where would you be going
Where do you want to go?
Where would you be going
Where do you feel like going?
Johnny don't go Johnny don't go
Don't go Johnny, don't go
Johnny don't go stay in town
Stay in town Johnny, don't go
Contributed by Liam C. 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