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.
North & South
Christy Moore Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And feel your hand across the water
Walk with you along an unapproved road
Not looking over my shoulder
I want to see
I want to hear
To understand your fears
But we're north and south of the river
I've been doing it wrong
All of my life
This holy town has turned me over
A young man running from what he didn't understand
As the wind from the lough just blew colder and colder
There was a badness that had its way
But love was not lost
It just got mislaid
North and south of the river
Can we stop playing these old tattoos?
Darling I don't have the answer
I want to meet you where you are
I don't need you to surrender
There is no feeling so alone
As when the one you're hurting is your own
North and south of the river
Some high ground is not worth taking
Some connections are not worth making
There's an old church bell no longer ringing
And some old songs not worth singing
North and south of the river
North and south of the river
In "North & South," Christy Moore paints a picture of two people who are divided by a river, representing the cultural and political divisions in Ireland. The lyrics express a desire to bridge the gap between the two sides and a frustration with the conflict that has torn them apart. Moore's voice yearns to "reach out over the lough" to the other side, to connect with them on a deep level, to walk with them on "an unapproved road" without fear or hesitation.
The second verse chronicles the singer's experience of growing up in a divided community, where he felt like an outsider, running from that which he didn't yet comprehend. But he also recognizes that love has not been lost and hopes to find it again between the two sides of the river. The song suggests that it's time to move beyond old battles and "stop playing these old tattoos" (referring to traditional Irish tattoos that symbolize feuds between families or factions).
The final verse is a poignant reflection on what it feels like when the person you're hurting is a loved one, a member of your own community. The singer recognizes that some connections are not worth making and that some battles are not worth fighting, but the dream of reconciliation and unity remains.
Line by Line Meaning
I want to reach out over the lough
I yearn to extend my arm across the lake
And feel your hand across the water
And sense your touch through the ripples
Walk with you along an unapproved road
Wander alongside you on a path less traveled
Not looking over my shoulder
Without any apprehension
I want to see
I want to perceive
I want to hear
I want to listen
To understand your fears
To empathize with your apprehensions
But we're north and south of the river
However, we reside on opposing banks of the river
I've been doing it wrong
I've been executing it inaccurately
All of my life
Throughout my entire life
This holy town has turned me over
This sacred town has overturned me
A young man running from what he didn't understand
A youngster evading what he couldn't comprehend
As the wind from the lough just blew colder and colder
While the air from the lake grew increasingly colder
There was a badness that had its way
There was a malevolence that gained supremacy
But love was not lost
But love was not forfeited
It just got mislaid
It was only misplaced
North and south of the river
On opposing sides of the river
Can we stop playing these old tattoos?
May we stop reiterating these old wounds?
Darling I don't have the answer
Beloved, I don't possess the solution
I want to meet you where you are
I aspire to encounter you where you stand
I don't need you to surrender
I don't require you to yield
There is no feeling so alone
There isn't a feeling more solitary
As when the one you're hurting is your own
Than hurting the one who belongs to you
Some high ground is not worth taking
Not all elevated terrain is worth acquiring
Some connections are not worth making
Some links aren't worth forging
There's an old church bell no longer ringing
An ancient church bell no longer tolls
And some old songs not worth singing
And some old melodies aren't worth singing
North and south of the river
On opposing sides of the river
Contributed by Colton K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@richardsmith8094
I love Declan's playing in these recordings with Christy. Absolute model of tasteful, expressive, colourful accompaniment.
@jamie2205
Absolutely underated
@Chris-rs6ic
“There is no feeling so alone, as when the one you’re hurting is your own” That line always hits so hard.
@mickshrimpton1701
no truer words have ever been spoken.
@tommymorgan73
Wonderful music! Christy and Declan are Irish treasures!
@paddyopatrick2941
Christy Moore is nothing but class 💯%
@megandowney6715
Absolutely
@finneire2081
DECLAN IS EVEN BETTER
@rosekelly4653
What a fantastic combination these 2 guys are. Fantastic!
@steray7590
Absolutely one of the greats no doubt 👌 🙌 👏 👍 💯