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.
Lovely Young One
Christy Moore Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When you took your leave last night
You offered Me no teardrops no kisses no goodbyes
No simple explanation you walked out the door
Leaving Tir na nOg for Tir na nOiche
Oh my lovely young one
I'm left standing at your wake
Of your final footsteps as you walked out the door
Leaving Tir na nOg for Tir na nOiche
Oh my lovely young one
Oh my lovely young one
Gone from Tir na nOg to Tir na nOiche
Christy Moore's song, "Lovely Young One", portrays a love story that takes an unexpected turn. The lyrics suggest a sense of melancholy and confusion as the singer talks about his lover, who left him without any explanation, leaving him heartbroken and searching for answers. The first verse talks about the night the lover took her leave, without shedding any tears or exchanging goodbyes or kisses. The second verse continues the story by describing the scene of the lover's wake, where the singer is unable to find any trace of her last footsteps as she walked out the door. The final verse shows the singer's sadness as he sings "gone from Tir na nOg to Tir na nOiche", using the Irish mythology reference of Tir na nOg, the land of eternal youth and beauty, to highlight the sadness of losing a young and lovely lover.
The song portrays the human experience of grappling with the idea of a lost love, the pain of not knowing why someone left, and the feeling of being stuck in the past. The use of the Irish mythology tale adds to the melancholic nature of the song, emphasizing the idea that losing a "lovely young one" feels like losing a piece of youth and beauty. Christy Moore's delivery of the song adds to this somber feeling through his powerful vocals and use of the guitar.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh my lovely young one
Addressing the departure of a dear one with tenderness.
When you took your leave last night
Describing the timing of the separation.
You offered Me no teardrops no kisses no goodbyes
Expressing the abruptness of the person's departure without any usual farewell rituals.
No simple explanation you walked out the door
Emphasizing that the person left without clarifying the reasons behind the decision.
Leaving Tir na nOg for Tir na nOiche
Highlighting the metaphorical transition from a paradise-like place to a realm of darkness and chaos.
I'm left standing at your wake
Describing the feeling of being left behind after the person's departure.
My eyes are searching but I can find no trace
Expressing the confusion and desperation of not being able to find any clues or answers in the aftermath of the separation.
Of your final footsteps as you walked out the door
Depicting the last moment of the person's presence before leaving.
Gone from Tir na nOg to Tir na nOiche
Reiterating the theme of the person abandoning a beautiful place for a dark and dismal one.
Contributed by Joseph B. 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