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.
Nuke Powers
Christy Moore Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can cause such destruction on land, sea or sky.
Your Minister tells you I'll do you no harm,
If he locks me up in that house down in Carne.
Tooraloo, Tooralay,
I can cripple and maim,
Cause death and decay.
He'll have me well guarded, by night and by day,
With soldiers on land and with sailors at sea;
But no one can tame me; I'll be restless, I warn,
If he locks me up in that house down in Carne.
Tooraloo, Tooralay,
I can cripple and maim,
Cause death and decay.
Such a beautiful country I see all around,
Where people and flowers and fishes abound.
I'll change that whole scene in ten seconds, I warn,
If he locks me up in that house down in Carne.
Tooraloo, Tooralay,
I can cripple and maim,
Cause death and decay.
I'll poison your children, I'll strangle your dog,
I'll kill every creature on land, sea or bog.
I'll devastate Ireland from Killarney to Larne,
If he locks me up in that house down in Carne.
Tooraloo, Tooralay,
I can cripple and maim,
Cause death and decay.
Now, I have three comrades called wind, rain and sun,
Very powerful they are, and also great fun.
Treat them with respect and they'll do you no harm.
They'll work for you free every day down in Carne.
Tooraloo, Tooralay,
I can cripple and maim,
Cause death and decay.
Now to all you fine people, I make this strong plea.
Go tell your Minister to let me go free.
If you don't try to use me, I'll do you no harm,
So don't let him lock me in his house down in Carne.
Christy Moore's song "Nuke Powers" is a powerful anti-nuclear anthem that speaks of the dangers and risks associated with nuclear energy. The song is written from the perspective of nuclear power itself, with the lyrics featuring a haunting and threatening tone. The song starts with an introduction to Nuke Power, presented as a terrorizing force that can cause destruction on land, sea, or sky. The Minister is portrayed as trying to keep Nuke Power confined in a house down in Carne, while soldiers guard it by day and night.
Nuke Power states that it cannot be tamed and warns that if kept locked up, it will cause death and decay, cripple, and maim. In the second and third verses, Nuke Power describes the beauty of Ireland, the people, flowers, and fishes all around, promising to change the scene in ten seconds if ever confined to that house down in Carne. Nuke Power reveals its true nature, stating that it can poison children, strangle dogs, kill every creature on land, sea, or bog, and devastate Ireland from Killarney to Larne.
In the final verse, Nuke Power appeals to the people, asking them to tell the Minister to let it go free, promising not to harm them if left alone. The song's central theme revolves around the dangers of nuclear energy, the devastating power of nuclear weapons, and the importance of respecting and protecting our environment.
Line by Line Meaning
My name is Nuke Power, a terror am I,
I am a nuclear weapon, capable of causing great destruction and terror.
I can cause such destruction on land, sea or sky.
I have the power to cause destruction on any surface, whether it be land, sea or air.
Your Minister tells you I'll do you no harm,
Your government tells you that nuclear weapons are harmless and pose no threat to society.
If he locks me up in that house down in Carne.
If the government keeps me locked up and out of use, I will not be able to cause harm.
Tooraloo, Tooralay,
Refrain of the song.
I can cripple and maim,
I can cause injuries and disabilities on a massive scale.
Cause death and decay.
I have the power to bring about death and destruction.
He'll have me well guarded, by night and by day,
The government will guard me and protect me from those who wish to stop the proliferation of nuclear weapons.
With soldiers on land and with sailors at sea;
The military will protect me on the land and in the sea, where I may be transported.
But no one can tame me; I'll be restless, I warn,
Nuclear weapons are uncontrollable and unpredictable in their effects.
Such a beautiful country I see all around,
The singer sees a beautiful landscape around them, which is in danger due to the existence of nuclear weapons.
Where people and flowers and fishes abound.
The country is full of life and biodiversity, which is at risk due to the existence of nuclear weapons.
I'll change that whole scene in ten seconds, I warn,
The singer can destroy the entire landscape and all its inhabitants in a matter of seconds.
If he locks me up in that house down in Carne.
If the government continues to store nuclear weapons, they will be a constant threat to the surrounding environment and society as a whole.
I'll poison your children, I'll strangle your dog,
Nuclear weapons can cause radiation poisoning and long-term genetic damage to future generations of humans and animals.
I'll kill every creature on land, sea or bog.
Nuclear fallout can harm or kill all living creatures on the land, sea or any area affected.
I'll devastate Ireland from Killarney to Larne,
Nuclear war would cause widespread devastation and destruction in Ireland and beyond.
Now, I have three comrades called wind, rain and sun,
The singer personifies nature as three powerful allies who are equally important for human survival.
Very powerful they are, and also great fun.
Nature has the power to cause great change and enjoyment for humanity.
Treat them with respect and they'll do you no harm.
If humans treat nature with respect and care, it will continue to provide for and sustain them.
They'll work for you free every day down in Carne.
Nature provides for humanity without the need for payment or compensation in return.
Now to all you fine people, I make this strong plea.
The artist is making a plea to the public to take action and demand that nuclear weapons be abolished.
Go tell your Minister to let me go free.
The public should speak out against the storage and proliferation of nuclear weapons.
If you don't try to use me, I'll do you no harm,
If society rejects the use of nuclear weapons, they will not cause harm.
So don't let him lock me in his house down in Carne.
Demand that the government disarm and abolish nuclear weapons, rather than continuing to store and maintain them.
Contributed by Penelope J. 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