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.
On the Bridge
Christy Moore Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They caught my eye as I passed them by, they tried to explain
Why they were standing there, I did not want to hear
When trouble gets too close to home, my anger turns to fear
With my eyes turned to the ground I moved along
I covered up my ears and I held my tongue
The rain poured down relentlessly upon the picket line
Though the rain it made the colours run the message it was plain
Women are being strip searched in Armagh jail
We kneel in adoration before effigies of stone
Our eyes turned to heaven blind to what's going on
Six women hold a naked woman pinned down on the floor
Without trial or jury, like a prisoner of war
Though the rain it made the colours run the message it was plain
Women are being strip searched in Armagh and Brixton Jail
The lyrics of Christy Moore's song On the Bridge describe the artist's confrontation with a group of people standing on a bridge, protesting against an issue that is close to their hearts in the pouring rain. The artist, however, avoids engaging with them or hearing their explanation about what they are protesting against due to his inner conflict between anger and fear when trouble hits close to home. Instead, he covers his ears and moves along with his eyes turned to the ground. As the rain continues to pour down on the protest, the artist remarks on how the message being conveyed by the protestors is plain, that women are being subjected to strip searches in Armagh and Brixton jails. The vivid imagery of a group of women holding another naked woman down on the floor without any trial or jury, like a prisoner of war, highlights the inhumane treatment of women in jails.
The song's main theme revolves around the apathy of those in power towards the marginalized sections of society, and the struggle of those who fight for their rights. The rain is incessant throughout the song, symbolizing the unyielding fight for justice by the oppressed. The artist's refusal to engage with the protestors as he walks by represents the government's refusal to acknowledge the plight of the oppressed, which only serves to worsen the situation.
Overall, Christy Moore's On the Bridge addresses the issue of social apathy on a broader level in the context of the government's handling of marginalized communities. The song highlights that it is easy for people to turn a blind eye to issues that do not affect them directly, and how this attitude only serves to perpetuate the injustice that the marginalized sections of society face every day.
Line by Line Meaning
There's thirty people on the bridge and they're standing in the rain
There are thirty people standing in the rain on a bridge
They caught my eye as I passed them by, they tried to explain
As I walked by, they tried to explain themselves to me and I noticed them
Why they were standing there, I did not want to hear
I didn't want to hear their reason for standing there
When trouble gets too close to home, my anger turns to fear
I get scared when trouble is close to me
With my eyes turned to the ground I moved along
I looked down and kept walking
I covered up my ears and I held my tongue
I blocked my ears and didn't speak
The rain poured down relentlessly upon the picket line
The rain fell heavily on the protesters' picket line
And the empty words fell from my lips, "Your troubles are not mine"
I said meaningless words to them, telling them their troubles were not my concern
Though the rain it made the colours run the message it was plain
Despite the rain washing away the colors, the message was still clear
Women are being strip searched in Armagh jail
At Armagh jail, women are being subjected to strip searches
We kneel in adoration before effigies of stone
We worship stone images on our knees
Our eyes turned to heaven blind to what's going on
We don't see what's happening around us, too caught up in our beliefs
Six women hold a naked woman pinned down on the floor
Six women hold a nude woman down on the ground
Without trial or jury, like a prisoner of war
She is treated like a prisoner of war, with no trial or jury
Women are being strip searched in Armagh and Brixton Jail
Women at both Armagh and Brixton jail are being subjected to strip searches
Contributed by Madelyn A. 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