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.
Natives
Christy Moore Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For all of our native tongues we're all natives here
Sons of their fathers' dream the same dream
The sound of forbidden words becomes a scream
Voices in anger, victims of history
Plundered and set aside, grow fat on swallowed pride
With promises of paradise and gifts of beads and knives
Saviours and conquerors, they make us wait
Like fishers of men they wave their truth like bait
But with the touch of a stranger's hand innocence turns to shame
The spirit that dwelt within now sleeps out in the rain
For all of our languages we can't communicate,
For all of our native tongues, we're all natives here
The scars of the past are slow to disappear
The cries of the dead are always in our ears
And only the very safe can talk about wrong and right
Of those who are forced to choose, some will choose to fight
Christy Moore's song "Natives" explores the theme of communication breakdowns between different groups of people with diverse language backgrounds. The first line states, "For all of our languages we can't communicate," highlighting the difficulty of bridging the gap between cultures. The second line, "For all of our native tongues we're all natives here," suggests that despite coming from different parts of the world, people are all united in the shared experience of being human. The third and fourth lines introduce a historical context for this issue by describing how the dreams of prior generations have failed to come to fruition, and how the use of forbidden words has led to screams of frustration.
The next lines delve into the impact of imperialism and colonization on native peoples. The phrase "plundered and set aside" refers to the exploitation of these groups for their resources and labor, with no regard for the damage done to their traditional ways of life. The mention of "promises of paradise and gifts of beads and knives" alludes to how Western empires used false promises and cheap trinkets to gain control over the land and people they desired. The comparison of missionaries and pioneers to "soldiers in disguise" highlights how these "saviors and conquerors" have often done more harm than good, imposing their own beliefs and values on others rather than respecting their autonomy. The line "Like fishers of men they wave their truth like bait" suggests that these outsiders use their own worldview as a hook to lure in those they seek to assimilate.
The final lines of the song emphasize the ongoing repercussions of these historical events. The scars of past injustices are slow to heal, and the cries of those lost continue to echo. The reference to the "very safe" talking about right and wrong alludes to the privilege of those who have not been directly impacted by these events, and the choice between passivity and active resistance. The final line, "Of those who are forced to choose, some will choose to fight," suggests that for those who have suffered the most, the only option left is to stand up for themselves and fight against their oppressors.
Line by Line Meaning
For all of our languages we can't communicate
Despite the variety of languages we speak, we still struggle to convey our thoughts and ideas accurately.
For all of our native tongues we're all natives here
No matter what our mother tongue is, we are all inhabitants of the same planet and society.
Sons of their fathers' dream the same dream
We inherit the aspirations and dreams of our ancestors, and we have the same desires and ambitions as them.
The sound of forbidden words becomes a scream
When we are deprived of our freedom of expression, our suppressed voices become louder and more desperate.
Voices in anger, victims of history
The angry protests and complaints of people are the result of centuries of oppression, injustice, and subjugation.
Plundered and set aside, grow fat on swallowed pride
Those who exploit and subjugate others amass wealth and power by degrading and humiliating their victims.
With promises of paradise and gifts of beads and knives
Colonizers and religious missionaries lure native people with false promises of wealth, bliss, and material goods.
Missionaries and pioneers are soldiers in disguise
The colonizers and religious preachers disguise themselves as messengers of peace and enlightenment, but they are actually conquerors and oppressors.
Saviours and conquerors, they make us wait
The colonizers and religious preachers promise salvation and freedom, but they actually delay and obstruct the emancipation of the natives.
Like fishers of men they wave their truth like bait
The colonizers and religious preachers use truths and beliefs as bait to lure and manipulate the naive and defenseless natives.
But with the touch of a stranger's hand innocence turns to shame
The intrusion and exploitation by foreigners and invaders destroy the trust, dignity, and purity of the native people.
The spirit that dwelt within now sleeps out in the rain
The inner vitality, pride, and culture of native people are weakened, neglected, and forgotten due to colonialism and oppression.
The scars of the past are slow to disappear
The traumas and wounds inflicted on the native people by colonization and oppression continue to linger and affect their lives and culture.
The cries of the dead are always in our ears
The memories and experiences of the victims of colonization and genocide resonate in the psyche and conscience of native people and humanity.
And only the very safe can talk about wrong and right
Only those who are privileged, secure, and distant from oppression can judge and moralize the struggles and sufferings of the oppressed.
Of those who are forced to choose, some will choose to fight
Many of the oppressed and marginalized people will rise up and resist their oppressors and try to reclaim their freedom and dignity, even if it means risking their lives.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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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