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.
Morrissey and the Russian Sailor
Christy Moore Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I hope you'll pay attention and listen unto me
I'll sing about a battle that took place the other day
Between a Russian sailor and gallant Morrissey
It was in Tierra Del Fuego in South America
The Russian challenged Morrissey these words to him did say
I hear you are a fighting man you wear the belt I see
Up spoke Johnny Morrissey with heart both brave and true
I am a valiant Irishman that never was subdued
I can whack the Yankee, the Saxon, Bull or Bear
In honour of old Paddy's land the laurels I'll maintain
They shook hands and walked around the ring commencing then to fight
It filled each Irish heart with joy to behold the sight
The Russian he floored Morrissey up to the eleventh round
With Yankee, Saxon and Russian cheers the valley did resound
A minute and a half he lay before he could arise
The word it went around the field he's dead rang out the cries
But Morrissey recovered and rising from the ground
From that up to the eighteenth the Russian he put down
The Irish offered ten to one that day upon the grass
No sooner said that taken and they covered all the cash
They parried away without delay up to the twentieth round
When Morrissey received a blow which brought him to the ground
Up to the thirty-second round 'twas fall and fall about
Which caused them Yankee tyrants to keep a sharp look out
The Russian called his seconds to pour a glass of wine
Begod sez Johnny Morrissey this battle will be mine
The thirty-seventh ended all when the Russian smelt a fart
When Morrissey with a dreadful blow struck the Russian on the heart
They sent for a physician to open up a vein
The doctor said 'Tis useless, he will never fight again'
Our hero conquered Thompson, the Yankee clipper too
The Benica boy and Shepherd he also did subdue
Let us fill a flowing glass and here's a health galore
To noble Johnny Morrissey who came from Templemore
The song "Morrissey and the Russian Sailor" by Christy Moore recounts a historical event in South America between a Russian sailor and an Irish boxer named Johnny Morrissey. The song begins with a call to all true-born Irishmen to listen to a tale about a battle that took place the other day between the two fighters. The Russian sailor challenged Morrissey to a fight, and Morrissey, a proud and valiant Irishman, accepted the challenge. The two fighters engaged in a brutal fight that lasted several rounds, with the Russian gaining the upper hand in the early rounds. However, Morrissey recovered and fought back, ultimately winning the match with a blow to the Russian's heart.
The song portrays Morrissey as a figure of Irish national pride, capable of overcoming all obstacles and defeating opponents from various nations. The lyrics celebrate Morrissey's victory over the Russian sailor as an achievement in the name of "old Paddy's land." The song's narrative highlights the cultural value placed on physical strength and bravery in Irish national identity.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh come all you true born Irishmen, wherever you may be
Christy Moore is welcoming all Irishmen to listen to his song, no matter where they are located.
I hope you'll pay attention and listen unto me
Christy Moore is hoping his audience will pay close attention to the song he is about to sing.
I'll sing about a battle that took place the other day
Christy Moore is going to sing about the recent battle that took place between Morrissey and the Russian sailor.
Between a Russian sailor and gallant Morrissey
The battle was between the Russian sailor and a courageous man named Morrissey.
It was in Tierra Del Fuego in South America
This battle occurred in Tierra Del Fuego which is located in South America.
The Russian challenged Morrissey these words to him did say
The Russian sailor challenged Morrissey to a fight by saying the following words to him.
I hear you are a fighting man you wear the belt I see
The Russian had heard that Morrissey was a fighter, which was evident by the belt he was wearing.
Indeed I wish you would consent to have a fight with me
The Russian was requesting Morrissey to agree to a fight with him.
Up spoke Johnny Morrissey with heart both brave and true
Morrissey bravely agreed to the fight.
I am a valiant Irishman that never was subdued
Morrissey is a brave Irishman who has never been defeated in battle.
I can whack the Yankee, the Saxon, Bull or Bear
Morrissey has defeated people from different nationalities- Americans (Yankee), English (Saxon), people from different parts of the UK (Bull) and Americans (Bear).
In honour of old Paddy's land the laurels I'll maintain
Morrissey will continue to maintain the honor of his homeland, Ireland.
They shook hands and walked around the ring commencing then to fight
After shaking hands, Morrissey and the Russian sailor began to fight.
It filled each Irish heart with joy to behold the sight
The Irish people watching the fight were filled with joy and excitement.
The Russian he floored Morrissey up to the eleventh round
For the first eleven rounds, the Russian was able to defeat Morrissey.
With Yankee, Saxon and Russian cheers the valley did resound
As the Russian was winning, cheers were heard from the audience from America, England, and Russia.
A minute and a half he lay before he could arise
Morrissey was down for a minute and a half before he could get back up.
The word it went around the field he's dead rang out the cries
People started shouting that Morrissey was dead.
But Morrissey recovered and rising from the ground
Morrissey surprisingly recovered from the defeat and rose from the ground.
From that up to the eighteenth the Russian he put down
From the eleventh to the eighteenth round, Morrissey was able to defeat the Russian sailor.
The Irish offered ten to one that day upon the grass
The Irish people started betting with 10-1 odds that Morrissey will win on the grass that day.
No sooner said that taken and they covered all the cash
The bets were taken immediately by the Irish people and they had covered all the money.
They parried away without delay up to the twentieth round
Morrissey and the Russian continue to fight until the twentieth round, without any delay.
When Morrissey received a blow which brought him to the ground
Morrissey was hit with a blow which knocked him down to the ground.
Up to the thirty-second round 'twas fall and fall about
The two fighters kept falling down and getting back up to fight leading up to the thirty-second round.
Which caused them Yankee tyrants to keep a sharp look out
The Americans enjoyed the fight so much that they had to be told to keep quiet.
The Russian called his seconds to pour a glass of wine
The Russian asked his assistants to pour a glass of wine for him to drink.
Begod sez Johnny Morrissey this battle will be mine
Morrissey declared that he will win the battle with the help of God.
The thirty-seventh ended all when the Russian smelt a fart
The battle ended in the thirty-seventh round when the Russian smelled a fart.
When Morrissey with a dreadful blow struck the Russian on the heart
Morrissey delivered a deadly blow to the Russian's heart.
They sent for a physician to open up a vein
A doctor was called to open up the Russian's vein.
The doctor said 'Tis useless, he will never fight again'
The doctor declared that the Russian will never fight again.
Our hero conquered Thompson, the Yankee clipper too
Morrissey also defeated Thompson, the American clipper.
The Benica boy and Shepherd he also did subdue
Morrissey also subdued the Benica boy and Shepherd.
Let us fill a flowing glass and here's a health galore
Christy Moore is suggesting that they all raise a glass to Morrissey.
To noble Johnny Morrissey who came from Templemore
Christy Moore is showing his respect to Morrissey and revealing that he is from Templemore.
Contributed by Cole T. 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