Christy Moore, a native of Co. Kildare, Ireland, found fame as a member of … Read Full Bio ↴Christy Moore, a native of Co. Kildare, Ireland, found fame as a member of the legendary tradition folk band Planxty. Since then he has carved out his own career as a consummate solo performer. In the 1980s Christy teamed up with Donal Lunny to form the innovative Moving Hearts.

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.

Last Kiss
Christy Moore Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Two island swans mated for life,
And his faithful heart would not consider any other wife.
For three years peaceful joy midst the rushes of the pond,
Proud and gentle was the loving of the last two island swans.

Their love was like a circle, no beginning and no end,
With his lady by his side a treasure and best friend.
And the pond was all so peaceful with the rising of the sun,

Young and free like the island breeze their life was just begun.

'Til a dread day in November when the searing cold did start,
Stalked the hunter with his bow, he put an arrow through her heart.
Husband come to my side let your feathers warm my pain,
For I feel I will not spend another day with you again.

And the cold winds blow,
He was brave but he's laid low.
By her body in the isle of mist,
I saw him give her one last cold kiss,
One last cold kiss.

Of swans the people talk of only one in this days tide,
They brought him twenty ladies he would take no other bride.
They say he will not move from the place where she did fall,
Once so proud he's beaten now, he will not speak at all.

And the cold winds blow,
He was brave but he's laid low.
By her body in the isle of mist,

I saw him give her one last cold kiss,
One last cold kiss.

Overall Meaning

The song "One Last Cold Kiss" by Christy Moore is a story about the love and devotion between two swans, who mated for life and lived happily together for three years until tragedy struck. The first stanza sets the scene in a peaceful pond where the two island swans, proud and gentle in their love, live harmoniously. Their love is described as a circle with no beginning and no end. However, on a cold November day, a hunter shoots the female swan, leaving her mate alone to face the unbearable pain of loss. The male swan comes to her side and gives her one last cold kiss before he too succumbs to the cold and dies by her body, a touching ending to their beautiful story.

The lyrics of this song highlight themes of love, devotion, loss, bravery, and grief. The swans' love for each other is depicted as pure and strong, and their commitment to each other is unwavering. The male swan's brave act of coming to his mate's side despite his own pain and demise is a symbol of selfless love. The last stanza shows us the immense impact the loss of a loved one can have on the survivors, as the male swan refuses to move from the place where his mate fell and does not take another mate. This hauntingly beautiful story reminds us that true love knows no boundaries and stands the test of time.

Line by Line Meaning

Two island swans mated for life,
Two swans on an island found lifelong love.

And his faithful heart would not consider any other wife.
The male swan was devoted and would never love another.

For three years peaceful joy midst the rushes of the pond,
They had three beautiful years together in blissful harmony.

Proud and gentle was the loving of the last two island swans.
Their love was strong and tender, and they were proud of it.

Their love was like a circle, no beginning and no end,
Their love knew no bounds, and it was endless.

With his lady by his side a treasure and best friend.
His partner was his most prized possession and dearest friend.

And the pond was all so peaceful with the rising of the sun,
The surroundings were peaceful, and their life was idyllic.

Young and free like the island breeze their life was just begun.
Their life was full of youthfulness and freedom, and it was just the beginning.

'Til a dread day in November when the searing cold did start,
In November, a tragic event occurred that brought on a bitter cold.

Stalked the hunter with his bow, he put an arrow through her heart.
A hunter killed the female swan with an arrow.

Husband come to my side let your feathers warm my pain,
Before she passed away, the female swan called for her husband to comfort her.

For I feel I will not spend another day with you again.
She knew that she was going to die and this was the last time they will be together.

And the cold winds blow,
The weather turned cold after the tragedy.

He was brave but he's laid low.
The male swan was brave but brought down by grief.

By her body in the isle of mist,
He stayed by her body as she lay in the mist.

I saw him give her one last cold kiss,
He gave her one final farewell kiss.

One last cold kiss.
It was his last act of love for his mate.

Of swans the people talk of only one in this days tide,
The people spoke only of the surviving male swan.

They brought him twenty ladies he would take no other bride.
Other female swans were brought in to mate with him, but he refused them.

They say he will not move from the place where she did fall,
The male swan remains in the spot where she passed away.

Once so proud he's beaten now, he will not speak at all.
He was once proud, but now he is defeated and cannot even make a sound.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: FELIX PAPPALARDI, GAIL COLLINS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@lewiswilson4520

2y↑2

Two island swans mated for life,
And his faithful heart would not consider any other
Wife.
For three years peaceful joy midst the rushes of the
Pond,
Proud and gentle was the loving of the last two island
Swans.
Their love was like a circle, no beginning and no end,
With his lady by his side a treasure and best friend.
And the pond was all so peaceful with the rising of the
Sun,
Young and free like the island breeze their life was
Just begun.
'Til a dread day in November when the searing cold did
Start,
Stalked the hunter with his bow, he put an arrow
Through her heart.
Husband come to my side let your feathers warm my pain,
For I feel I will not spend another day with you again.
And the cold winds blow,
He was brave but he's laid low.
By her body in the isle of mist,
I saw him give her one last cold kiss,
One last cold kiss.
Of swans the people talk of only one in this days tide,
They brought him twenty ladies he would take no other
Bride.
They say he will not move from the place where she did
Fall,
Once so proud he's beaten now, he will not speak at
All.
And the cold winds blow,
He was brave but he's laid low.
By her body in the isle of mist,
I saw him give her one last cold kiss,
One last cold kiss.

All comments from YouTube:

@insertlaughter

24w↑1

I learned this song when I was a girl.. maybe 9 or 10 years old. I used to be able to sing it without tears. Didn't understand the gravity of it. It's something I circle back to every few years.
Have heard many covers of this, christis is the best. By far the best.

@AlexMakhno

3y↑13

Thank you Christy for wrapping me with your music and your heart in the bad moments of life.
Greetings from Spain ; )

@markmunger9978

51w↑2

Mountain was the band that made me listen to lyrics. Gail Collins was a genius. A troubled genius, no doubt, but a genius nonetheless. RIP Felix and Leslie: this version is as good as it gets.