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.
Joxer
Christy Moore Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When the gadflies were swarming and dogs howling at the moon
With rosary beads and sandwiches for Stuttgart we began
Joxer packed his German phrasebook and jumpleads for the van.
Some of the lads had never been away from home before
'Twas the first time Whacker put his foot outside of Inchicore
Before we left for Europe we knew we'd need a plan
In Germany the autobahn, 'twas like the Long Mile Road
There was every make of car and van all carrying the full load
Ford Transits and Hiaces and an old Bedford from Tralee
With the engine overheating from longhauling duty free.
There was fans from Ballygermot, Ballybough and Ballymun
On the journey of a lifetime, and the crack was ninety-one
Joxer met a German's daughter on the banks of the river Rhine
And he told her she'd be welcome in Ballyfermot any time.
As soon as we found Stuttgart we got the wagons in a ring
Sean Og got out the banjo and Peter played the mandolin
There was fans there from everywhere attracted by the sound
At the first Fleadh Ceoil in Europe, and Joxer passed the flagon round.
But the session it ended when we'd finished all the stout
The air mattresses inflated and the sleeping bags rolled out
As one by one we fell asleep Joxer had a dream
He dreamt himself and Jack Charlton sat down to pick the team.
Joxer dreamt they both agreed on Packie Bonner straightaway
And that Moran, Whelan and McGrath were certainly to play
But tempers they began to rise and patience wearing thin
Jack wanted Cascarino but Joxer wanted Quinn.
The dream turned into a nightmare, Joxer stuck the head on Jack
Who wanted to bring Johnny Giles and Eamon Dunphy back
The cock crew in the morning, it crew both loud and shrill
Joxer woke up in his sleeping bag many miles from Arbour Hill.
The next morning none of the experts gave us the slightest chance
They said the English team would lead us on a merry dance
With their Union Jacks all them English fans for victory they were set
Until Ray Houghton got the ball and he stuck it in the net.
What happened next is history, brought tears to many eyes
That day will be the highlight of many people's lives
Joxer climbed right over the top and the last time he was seen
Was arm in arm with Jack Charlton singing, Revenge for Skibereen.
Now Whacker's back in Inchicore, he's living with his mam
And Jack Charlton has been proclaimed an honorary Irishman
Do you remember that German's daughter on the banks of the river Rhine
Well, didn't she show up in Ballyfermot last week and ...
The song "Joxer Goes to Stuttgart" by Christy Moore is a recount of Joxer's trip to Stuttgart, Germany with a group of lads in June 1988 to support the Irish team who were participating in Euro 88. The song lyrics describe Joxer's preparation for the trip and the journey to Germany. Moore describes Joxer as the driver of the van, who drives through the autobahn which was "like the Long Mile Road" and carries every make of car and van, all carrying full load. Joxer and his friends meet fans from Ballygermot, Ballybough, and Ballymun. They also attract fans from everywhere with their music and the session ends with everyone falling asleep.
In the second verse, Joxer has a dream where he sits down with Jack Charlton to pick the team that will play in the European Championship. Joxer thinks Niall Quinn should play, but Jack wants Tony Cascarino. Joxer argues with Jack and this results in Joxer hitting Jack in the head. The dream turns into a nightmare, and Joxer wakes up in his sleeping bag many miles away from Arbour Hill. The next day, no one gave the Irish team a chance except for Joxer and his friends. However, the team surprised everyone by beating England, and Joxer and Jack Charlton celebrated the victory by singing "Revenge for Skibereen."
Line by Line Meaning
It was in the year of '88 in the lovely month of June
The story took place in June of 1988
When the gadflies were swarming and dogs howling at the moon
It was a night when flies and dogs were everywhere
With rosary beads and sandwiches for Stuttgart we began
They brought food and religious items with them to Stuttgart
Joxer packed his German phrasebook and jumpleads for the van.
Joxer brought a German language book and jumper cables for the car
Some of the lads had never been away from home before
Some of the guys had never left their hometown before
'Twas the first time Whacker put his foot outside of Inchicore
Whacker had never left Inchicore before
Before we left for Europe we knew we'd need a plan
They knew they needed a plan before leaving for Europe
So we all agreed that Joxer was the man to drive the van.
They agreed that Joxer would drive the van
In Germany the autobahn, 'twas like the Long Mile Road
They found the autobahn in Germany to be similar to the Long Mile Road
There was every make of car and van all carrying the full load
There were many types of vehicles on the road, all fully loaded
Ford Transits and Hiaces and an old Bedford from Tralee
There were different types of vans including a Ford and an old Bedford from Tralee
With the engine overheating from longhauling duty free.
The engine had trouble from carrying too many duty-free items
There was fans from Ballygermot, Ballybough and Ballymun
Fans from different towns were on the trip
On the journey of a lifetime, and the crack was ninety-one
It was a once in a lifetime journey, and they had a great time
Joxer met a German's daughter on the banks of the river Rhine
Joxer met a woman on the river Rhine
And he told her she'd be welcome in Ballyfermot any time.
He invited the woman to visit his hometown of Ballyfermot
As soon as we found Stuttgart we got the wagons in a ring
They parked the cars in a circle as soon as they got to Stuttgart
Sean Og got out the banjo and Peter played the mandolin
They started playing music with the banjo and mandolin
There was fans there from everywhere attracted by the sound
People came from all over to listen to the music
At the first Fleadh Ceoil in Europe, and Joxer passed the flagon round.
It was the first music festival in Europe, and Joxer shared his drink
But the session it ended when we'd finished all the stout
The music ended when they finished all their drinks
The air mattresses inflated and the sleeping bags rolled out
They inflated air mattresses and got their sleeping bags ready
As one by one we fell asleep Joxer had a dream
Joxer had a dream as they all fell asleep
He dreamt himself and Jack Charlton sat down to pick the team.
Joxer dreamt that he and Jack Charlton picked the team together
Joxer dreamt they both agreed on Packie Bonner straightaway
In his dream, they quickly agreed on Packie Bonner
And that Moran, Whelan and McGrath were certainly to play
They decided that Moran, Whelan, and McGrath would definitely play
But tempers they began to rise and patience wearing thin
They started to argue and lose patience with each other
Jack wanted Cascarino but Joxer wanted Quinn.
Jack wanted Cascarino, but Joxer preferred Quinn
The dream turned into a nightmare, Joxer stuck the head on Jack
The dream became a nightmare when Joxer got angry and hit Jack
Who wanted to bring Johnny Giles and Eamon Dunphy back
Jack wanted Giles and Dunphy to come back
The cock crew in the morning, it crew both loud and shrill
A rooster crowed loudly in the morning
Joxer woke up in his sleeping bag many miles from Arbour Hill.
Joxer woke up many miles away in his sleeping bag
The next morning none of the experts gave us the slightest chance
The experts didn't think they had any chance of winning
They said the English team would lead us on a merry dance
They thought the English team would easily beat them
With their Union Jacks all them English fans for victory they were set
English fans were confident they would win, with their Union Jacks waving
Until Ray Houghton got the ball and he stuck it in the net.
Ray Houghton scored a goal, and things changed for them
What happened next is history, brought tears to many eyes
Their victory became history, and many people were emotional
That day will be the highlight of many people's lives
The day they won would always be a highlight for many people
Joxer climbed right over the top and the last time he was seen
Joxer was last seen climbing over something
Was arm in arm with Jack Charlton singing, Revenge for Skibereen.
Joxer and Jack were singing together with arms linked
Now Whacker's back in Inchicore, he's living with his mam
Whacker is back in his hometown, living with his mother
And Jack Charlton has been proclaimed an honorary Irishman
Jack Charlton was given an honorary title as an Irishman
Do you remember that German's daughter on the banks of the river Rhine
Do you remember the woman Joxer met on the Rhine River?
Well, didn't she show up in Ballyfermot last week and ...
She showed up in Ballyfermot recently...
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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@danielkiely5164
As a young lad, all I want is a tournament and memories like this
@jarlathfalls
Great times. We're a far cry from it unfortunately.
@JaraYT
2nd guitar is so on point its insane, Declan Sinnott.
@TheZeusIsHere1
Ride on Christy, Ride on!
@reginaldburnbridge2217
What do you think of Christy now, selling out the Irish/Celtic people. Traitor.
@andrewhamshare2511
I WOZ THERE.
Albeit on the losing side that day, it was a memorable occasion.
When i first came across "Joxster" I loved it and love it more every time I hear it.
Cheers Christy.
@reginaldburnbridge2217
What do you think of Christy now, selling out the Irish/Celtic people. Traitor.
@darbyogill5771
Yup Christy 💪💪💪🇮🇪❤️
@yaco2165
Good man Christie.👏👏👏👏👏
@reginaldburnbridge2217
What do you think of Christy now, selling out the Irish/Celtic people. Traitor.