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.
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.
Little Musgrave
Christy Moore Lyrics
It fell upon a holy day as many are in the year
Musgrave to the church did go to see fine ladies there.
Some were dressed in velvet red and some in velvet pale,
Then in came Lord Barnard's wife the fairest among them all.
She cast an eye on Little Musgrave as bright as the summer's sun,
Said Musgrave unto himself this lady's heart I've won.
"I have loved you Fair Lady full long and many's the day."
"And I have loved you Little Musgrave and never a word did say.
I have a bower in Bucklesfordberry its my heart's delight
I'll take you back there with me and lie in your arms all night."
Standing by was a little foot page, from the Lady's coach he ran
"Although I am a lady's page I am Lord Barnard's man.
My Lord Barnard shall hear of this whether I sink or swim."
And every where the bridge was broken he'd enter the water and swim.
"My Lord Barnard! My Lord Barnard! You are a man of life,
But Musgrave is at Bucklesfordberry asleep with your wedded wife."
"If this be true my little foot page, this thing that you tell me,
All the gold in Bucklesfordberry I gladly will give to thee.
But if this be a lie my little foot page this thing that you tell me
From the highest tree in Bucklesfordberry hanged you will be.
Go saddle me the black!" he said, "Go saddle me the grey!
Sound you not your horns," he said, "lest our coming it betray!"
But there was a man in Lord Barnard's train who loved the Little Musgrave
He blew his horn both loud and shrill. Away Musgrave, away!
"I think I hear the morning cock, I think I hear the jay,
I think I hear Lord Barnard's men, I wish I was away."
"Lie still, lie still, my Little Musgrave, and hug me from the cold,
it's nothing but a shepherd lad a bringing his flock to fold.
Is not your hawk upon its perch? Your steed eats oats and hay.
You a woman in your arms, why would you go away?"
So they turned around and they kissed twice and then they fell asleep.
When they awoke Lord Barnard's men were standing at their feet.
"How do you like my bed?" he said, "and how do you like my sheets?
How do you like my fair Lady that lies in your arms asleep?"
"It's well I like your bed he said. Great it gives me pain.
I'd gladly give a hundred pounds to be on yonder plain!"
"Rise up rise up, Little Musgrave, rise up and then put on.
It'll not be said in this country I slayed a naked man."
So slowly, slowly he got up and slowly he put on,
Slowly he went down the stairs thinking he'd be slain.
"There are two swords by my side, dear they cost my purse,
You can take the best of them and I will take the worst."
And the first stroke Little Musgrave struck it hurt Lord Barnard sore
But the next stroke Lord Barnard struck Little Musgrave ne'er struck more.
Then up spoke the lady fair from the bed whereon she lay,
"Although you're dead Little Musgrave, still for you I'll pray."
"How do you like his cheeks?" he said, "How do you like his chin?
How do you like his dead body now there's no life within?"
"It's well I like those cheeks she cried and well I love that chin.
It's more I want that dead body than all your kith and kin!"
He's taken out his long, long sword to strike the mortal blow.
Through and through the Lady's heart the cold steel it did go.
"A grave! A grave!" Lord Barnard cried, "to put these lovers in!
With my lady on the upper hand, for she came from better kin.
For I've just killed the finest knight that ever rode a steed,
And I've just killed the finest woman that ever did a woman's deed!"
It fell upon a holy day as many are in the year
That Musgrave to the church did go to see fine ladies there.
Musgrave to the church did go to see fine ladies there.
Some were dressed in velvet red and some in velvet pale,
Then in came Lord Barnard's wife the fairest among them all.
She cast an eye on Little Musgrave as bright as the summer's sun,
Said Musgrave unto himself this lady's heart I've won.
"I have loved you Fair Lady full long and many's the day."
"And I have loved you Little Musgrave and never a word did say.
I have a bower in Bucklesfordberry its my heart's delight
I'll take you back there with me and lie in your arms all night."
"Although I am a lady's page I am Lord Barnard's man.
My Lord Barnard shall hear of this whether I sink or swim."
And every where the bridge was broken he'd enter the water and swim.
"My Lord Barnard! My Lord Barnard! You are a man of life,
But Musgrave is at Bucklesfordberry asleep with your wedded wife."
"If this be true my little foot page, this thing that you tell me,
All the gold in Bucklesfordberry I gladly will give to thee.
But if this be a lie my little foot page this thing that you tell me
From the highest tree in Bucklesfordberry hanged you will be.
Go saddle me the black!" he said, "Go saddle me the grey!
Sound you not your horns," he said, "lest our coming it betray!"
But there was a man in Lord Barnard's train who loved the Little Musgrave
He blew his horn both loud and shrill. Away Musgrave, away!
"I think I hear the morning cock, I think I hear the jay,
I think I hear Lord Barnard's men, I wish I was away."
"Lie still, lie still, my Little Musgrave, and hug me from the cold,
it's nothing but a shepherd lad a bringing his flock to fold.
Is not your hawk upon its perch? Your steed eats oats and hay.
You a woman in your arms, why would you go away?"
So they turned around and they kissed twice and then they fell asleep.
When they awoke Lord Barnard's men were standing at their feet.
"How do you like my bed?" he said, "and how do you like my sheets?
How do you like my fair Lady that lies in your arms asleep?"
"It's well I like your bed he said. Great it gives me pain.
I'd gladly give a hundred pounds to be on yonder plain!"
"Rise up rise up, Little Musgrave, rise up and then put on.
It'll not be said in this country I slayed a naked man."
So slowly, slowly he got up and slowly he put on,
Slowly he went down the stairs thinking he'd be slain.
"There are two swords by my side, dear they cost my purse,
You can take the best of them and I will take the worst."
And the first stroke Little Musgrave struck it hurt Lord Barnard sore
But the next stroke Lord Barnard struck Little Musgrave ne'er struck more.
Then up spoke the lady fair from the bed whereon she lay,
"Although you're dead Little Musgrave, still for you I'll pray."
"How do you like his cheeks?" he said, "How do you like his chin?
How do you like his dead body now there's no life within?"
"It's well I like those cheeks she cried and well I love that chin.
It's more I want that dead body than all your kith and kin!"
He's taken out his long, long sword to strike the mortal blow.
Through and through the Lady's heart the cold steel it did go.
"A grave! A grave!" Lord Barnard cried, "to put these lovers in!
With my lady on the upper hand, for she came from better kin.
For I've just killed the finest knight that ever rode a steed,
And I've just killed the finest woman that ever did a woman's deed!"
It fell upon a holy day as many are in the year
That Musgrave to the church did go to see fine ladies there.
Contributed by Nora P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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bahflip
PLANXTY LITTLE MUSGRAVE LYRICS
It fell (D) upon a holy (Em) day,
As many (D) in the year,
Musgrave (D) to the church (Em) did go,
To see (D) fine ladies (A) there (D)
And some (D) were dressed in velvet (Em) red
And some (D) in velvet pale
Then (D) came Lord Barnard's (EM) wife
The fairest (D) 'mongst (A) them all (D)
She cast (D) an eye on the Little Musgrave
As bright (D) as summer's sun
Said (D) Musgrave unto himself
This lady's (D) heart (G) I've won (D)
"I have loved you, fair lady, full long and many's the day."
"And I have loved you, Little Musgrave, and never a word did say."
"I've a bower in Bucklesfordbury, it's my heart's delight.
I'll take you back there with me if you'll lie in me arms tonight."
But standing by was a little footpage, from the lady's coach he ran,
"Although I am a lady's page, I am Lord Barnard's man."
"And milord Barnard will hear of this, oh whether I sink or swim."
Everywhere the bridge was broke he'd enter the water and swim.
"Oh milord Barnard, milord Barnard, you are a man of life,
But Musgrave, he's at Bucklesfordbury, asleep with your wedded wife."
"If this be true, me little footpage, this thing that you tell me,
All the gold in Bucklesfordbury I gladly will give to thee."
"But if this be a lie, me little footpage, this thing that you tell me,
From the highest tree in Bucklesfordbury hanged you will be."
"Go saddle me the black," he said, "go saddle me the gray."
"And sound ye not your horns," he said, "lest our coming be betrayed."
But there was a man in Lord Barnard's thrain, who loved the Little Musgrave,
He blew his horn both loud and shrill, "Away, Musgrave, away."
"I think I hear the morning c***, I think I hear the jay,
I think I hear Lord Barnard's men, I wish I was away."
"Lie still, lie still, me Little Musgrave, hug me from the cold,
It's nothing but a shepherd lad, a-bringing his flock to fold."
"Is not your hawk upon it's perch, your steed eats oats and hay,
And you a lady in your arms, and yet you'd go away."
He's turned her around and he's kissed her twice, and then they fell asleep,
When they awoke Lord Barnard's men were standing at their feet.
"How do ye like me bed," he said, "and how do you like me sheets?"
"How do you like me fair lady, that lies in your arms asleep?"
"It's well I like your bed," he said, "and great it gives me pain,
I'd gladly give a hundred pound to be on yonder plain."
"Rise up, rise up, Little Musgrave, rise up and then put on.
It'll not be said in this country I slayed a naked man."
So slowly, so slowly he got up, so slowly he put on.
Slowly down the stairs, thinking to be slain.
"There are two swords down by my side, and dear they cost me purse.
You can have the best of them, and I will take the worst."
And the first stroke that Little Musgrave stroke, it hurt Lord Barnard sore,
But the next stroke Lord Barnard stroke, Little Musgrave ne'er stroke more.
And then up spoke the lady fair, from the bed whereon she lay,
"Although you're dead, me Little Musgrave, still for you I'll pray."
"How do you like his cheeks," he said, "How do you like his chin?"
"How do you like his dead body, now there's no life within?"
"It's more I like his cheeks," she cried, "and more I want his chin,
It's more I love that dead body, than all your kith and kin."
He's taken out his long long sword, to strike the mortal blow,
Through and through the lady's heart, the cold steel it did go.
"A grave, a grave," Lord Barnard cried, "to put these lovers in,
with me lady on the upper hand. She came from better kin."
"For I've just killed the finest knight that ever rode a steed."
"And I've just killed the finest lady that ever did a woman's deed."
It fell upon a holy day, as many's in the year,
Musgrave to the church did go, to see fine ladies there.
--https://www.gugalyrics.com/lyrics-1801312/planxty-little-musgrave.html--
Dill Bing
It fell upon a holy day,
As many in the year,
Musgrave to the church did go,
To see fine ladies there
And some were dressed in velvet red
And some in velvet pale
Then came Lord Barnard's wife
The fairest 'mongst them all
She cast an eye on the Little Musgrave
As bright as summer's sun
Said Musgrave unto himself
This lady's heart I've won
I have loved you, fair lady, full long and many's the day.
And I have loved you, Little Musgrave, and never a word did say.
I've a bower in Bucklesfordbury, it's my heart's delight.
I'll take you back there with me if you'll lie in me arms tonight.
But standing by was a little footpage, from the lady's coach he ran,
Although I am a lady's page, I am Lord Barnard's man.
And milord Barnard will hear of this, oh whether I sink or swim.
Everywhere the bridge was broke he'd enter the water and swim.
Oh milord Barnard, milord Barnard, you are a man of life,
But Musgrave, he's at Bucklesfordbury, asleep with your wedded wife.
If this be true, me little footpage, this thing that you tell me,
All the gold in Bucklesfordbury I gladly will give to thee.
But if this be a lie, me little footpage, this thing that you tell me,
From the highest tree in Bucklesfordbury hanged you will be.
Go saddle me the black, " he said, "go saddle me the gray.
And sound ye not your horns, " he said, "lest our coming be betrayed.
But there was a man in Lord Barnard's thrain, who loved the Little Musgrave,
He blew his horn both loud and shrill, Away, Musgrave, away.
I think I hear the morning cock, I think I hear the jay,
I think I hear Lord Barnard's men, I wish I was away.
Lie still, lie still, me Little Musgrave, hug me from the cold,
It's nothing but a shepherd lad, a-bringing his flock to fold.
Is not your hawk upon it's perch, your steed eats oats and hay,
And you a lady in your arms, and yet you'd go away.
He's turned her around and he's kissed her twice, and then they fell asleep,
When they awoke Lord Barnard's men were standing at their feet.
How do ye like me bed, " he said, "and how do you like me sheets?
How do you like me fair lady, that lies in your arms asleep?
It's well I like your bed, he said, and great it gives me pain,
I'd gladly give a hundred pound to be on yonder plain.
Rise up, rise up, Little Musgrave, rise up and then put on.
It'll not be said in this country I slayed a naked man.
So slowly, so slowly he got up, so slowly he put on.
Slowly down the stairs, thinking to be slain.
There are two swords down by my side, and dear they cost me purse.
You can have the best of them, and I will take the worst.
And the first stroke that Little Musgrave stroke, it hurt Lord Barnard sore,
But the next stroke Lord Barnard stroke, Little Musgrave ne'er stroke more.
And then up spoke the lady fair, from the bed whereon she lay,
Although you're dead, me Little Musgrave, still for you I'll pray.
How do you like his cheeks, he said, How do you like his chin?
How do you like his dead body, now there's no life within?
It's more I like his cheeks, she cried, and more I want his chin,
It's more I love that dead body, than all your kith and kin.
He's taken out his long long sword, to strike the mortal blow,
Through and through the lady's heart, the cold steel it did go.
A grave, a grave, " Lord Barnard cried, to put these lovers in,
With me lady on the upper hand. She came from better kin.
For I've just killed the finest knight that ever rode a steed.
And I've just killed the finest lady that ever did a woman's deed.
It fell upon a holy day, as many's in the year,
Musgrave to the church did go, to see fine ladies there.
Trapat0
Was fortunate to get a ticket to this very gig. Myself and my brother in law. Time certainly stood still for that show and I was mesmerized throughout. I appreciated it then but after a number of years I can tell you I actually wasn't aware of the full magic I was witnessing.
Little musgrave transfixed the whole audience.
Michael Cronin
You lucky bastard. I would give dearly to see this group.
Tony Downey
Wow , unreal I remember the first time I heard this on utube mabey 10 years ago , I still come back for a listen once a week . What a gig you will never forget it!
Brian Madigan
I always come back to this song. 10 minutes of sheer reflection & class. Music at its utter best. Christy is beyond brilliant.
Standurground10
The best typing error I've ever made. Planks turned to Planxty, and now the introduction to the most heartfelt music I've ever had the pleasure of hearing. Wishing I hadn't wasted so much time with Lil Wayne, Katy Perry, etc.. Christy Moore is amazing.
Derek Rossiter
Thank you
Steve Britt
Welcome home.
silverbull AG47
They call it divine intervention☘
Mick McGettrick
Fair play to you.... Well said..
T.G. Lynch
@Josh Hill hello Josh , have a listen to Christy sing a song called 'Natives,, '