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.
Nancy Spain
Christy Moore Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Not one does twinkle like your pale blue eyes
Like golden corn at harvest time your hair
Sailing in my boat the wind
Gently blows and fills my sail
Your sweet-scented breath is everywhere
Daylight peeping through the curtain
And the sun in the sky is like your laugh
Come back to me my Nancy
Linger for just a little while
Since you left these shores I've known no peace
Nor joy
No matter where I wander I'm still haunted
By your name
The portrait of your beauty stays the same
Standing by the ocean wondering where you've
Gone, if you'll return again
Where is the ring I gave to Nancy Spain
On the day in Spring when snow starts to melt
And streams to flow
With the birds I'll sing this song
Then in the while I'll wander
Down by bluebell stream where wild flowers grow
And I'll hope that lovely Nancy will return
No matter where I wander I'm still haunted
By your name
The portrait of your beauty stays the same
Standing by the ocean wondering where you've
Gone, if you'll return again
Where is the ring I gave to Nancy Spain
The song Nancy Spain by Christy Moore is a hauntingly beautiful tribute to a lost love. The lyrics are filled with vivid imagery and heartfelt emotions that speak to the pain of missing someone deeply. The first stanza sets the tone by describing the beauty of Nancy's eyes and golden hair. The singer is sailing and the wind fills his sail, and he can feel the sweet scent of Nancy's breath everywhere. The second stanza speaks to the longing and sadness the singer feels since Nancy left. He is haunted by her presence and cannot find peace or joy no matter where he goes. The third stanza holds a glimmer of hope that Nancy will return, as the singer sings about the day in spring when snow starts to melt and the streams flow. He will wander down by the bluebell stream where wild flowers grow, hoping Nancy will return to him.
The song is a touching tribute to lost love that speaks to the universal human experience of longing and heartbreak. The singer is haunted by Nancy, and the vivid descriptions of her beauty and scent make it clear that he is deeply in love with her. The imagery of sailing and the ocean hints at the idea of journeys and the passage of time, and the singer's hope that Nancy will return gives the song a bittersweet quality. Ultimately, the lyrics convey a sense of grief and longing that will resonate with anyone who has ever loved and lost.
Line by Line Meaning
Of all the stars that ever shone
Out of all the brilliant stars in the sky
Not one does twinkle like your pale blue eyes
Your pale blue eyes shine brighter than any star
Like golden corn at harvest time your hair
The beauty of your hair is like ripe golden corn during harvest time
Sailing in my boat the wind
As I sail on my boat, the wind blows
Gently blows and fills my sail
The wind that blows is gentle but enough to fill my sail
Your sweet-scented breath is everywhere
The sweet fragrance of your breath is all around me
Daylight peeping through the curtain
The first light of day is trying to peek through the curtain
Of the passing night time is your smile
Your smile reminds me of the night that just passed
And the sun in the sky is like your laugh
The bright sun in the sky reminds me of your laughter
Come back to me my Nancy
Please return to me, my love, Nancy
Linger for just a little while
Stay with me for a short time
Since you left these shores I've known no peace
Ever since you left, there has been no peace in my life
Nor joy
And I haven't experienced any happiness
No matter where I wander I'm still haunted
No matter where I go, your memory still haunts me
By your name
Everywhere I turn, I keep hearing your name
The portrait of your beauty stays the same
The picture of your beauty remains unchanged
Standing by the ocean wondering where you've
As I stand by the ocean, I ponder where you might have gone
Gone, if you'll return again
Did you leave for good, or will you come back?
Where is the ring I gave to Nancy Spain
I wonder where the ring that I gave you went, Nancy Spain
On the day in Spring when snow starts to melt
When the snow starts to melt in spring
And streams to flow
And the streams start to flow
With the birds I'll sing this song
I will sing this song with the birds
Then in the while I'll wander
And I will wander
Down by bluebell stream where wild flowers grow
To the bluebell stream where wildflowers grow
And I'll hope that lovely Nancy will return
And I'll hope that you, lovely Nancy, will come back to me
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mufc10love
Of all the stars that ever shone
Not one does twinkle like your pale blue eyes
Like golden corn at harvest time your hair
Sailing in my boat the wind
Gently blows and fills my sail
Your sweet-scented breath is everywhere
Daylight peeping through the curtain
Of the passing night time is your smile
And the sun in the sky is like your laugh
Come back to me my Nancy
Linger for just a little while
Since you left these shores I've known no peace
Nor joy
No matter where I wander I'm still haunted
By your name
The portrait of your beauty stays the same
Standing by the ocean wondering where you've
Gone, if you'll return again
Where is the ring I gave to Nancy Spain?
On the day in Spring when snow starts to melt
And streams to flow
With the birds I'll sing this song
Then in the while I'll wander
Down by bluebell stream where wild flowers grow
And I'll hope that lovely Nancy will return
No matter where I wander I'm still haunted
By your name
The portrait of your beauty stays the same
Standing by the ocean wondering where you've
Gone, if you'll return again
Where is the ring I gave to Nancy Spain?
@ianmcdonagh199
Of all the stars that ever shone
Not one does twinkle like your pale blue eyes
Like golden corn at harvest time your hair
Sailing in my boat the wind
Gently blows and fills my sail
Your sweet-scented breath is everywhere
Daylight peeping through the curtain
Of the passing night time is your smile
And the sun in the sky is like your laugh
Come back to me my Nancy
Linger for just a little while
Since you left these shores I've known no peace
Nor joy
No matter where I wander I'm still haunted
By your name
The portrait of your beauty stays the same
Standing by the ocean wondering where you've
Gone, if you'll return again
Where is the ring I gave to Nancy Spain
On the day in Spring when snow starts to melt
And streams to flow
With the birds I'll sing this song
Then in the while I'll wander
Down by bluebell stream where wild flowers grow
And I'll hope that lovely Nancy will return
No matter where I wander I'm still haunted
By your name
The portrait of your beauty stays the same
Standing by the ocean wondering where you've
Gone, if you'll return again
Where is the ring I gave to Nancy Spain
@nbenefiel
I lived in Dublin during most of the 70’s. I got to see everyone, the Chieftains, Planxty, the Bothy Band, De Danaan. It was a great time despite the troubles.
@bonnieblueplayz3043
My dad sang this to me every night x
@wolfganghager3220
thanx from France for the the most beautiful music...adore it !!!!!
@rockandrollpaddy
Mary Black
@annettewarwell7210
Love christy Moore. This is the most beautiful song I have heard ❤️Annette Warwell
@davidbosquette6604
Probably one of the most beautiful performances ever
@richardawaters
Couldn't agree more..beautiful song.
@AgentYami_009
Gorgeous. I thank my father for this lovely tune.
@steveroberts8719
I agree. I was very fortunate to see him perform at the Wadsworth Theater-not far from UCLA. He was so darned good and had the audience singing some of the songs. A memory to treasure forever. An Irish treasure.
@bonnieblueplayz3043
U r so lucky i would kill to go there