On the Bridge
Christy Moore Lyrics


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There's thirty people on the bridge and they're standing in the rain
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
And the empty words fell from my lips, "Your troubles are not mine"

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

Overall Meaning

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.
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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

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