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.
Only Our Rivers Run Free
Christy Moore Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When Blossoms still bloom from each tree
When leaves are still green in December
It's then that our land will be free
I wander her hills and her valleys
And still through my sorrow I see
A land that has never known freedom
And only her rivers run free
I drink to the death of her manhood
Those men who'd rather have died
Than to live in the cold chains of bondage
To bring back their rights were denied
Oh where are you now when we need you
What burns where the flame used to be
Are ye gone like the snows of last winter
And will only our rivers run free?
How sweet is life but we're crying
How mellow the wine but it's dry
How fragrant the rose but it's dying
How gentle the breeze but it sighs
What good is in youth when it's aging
What joy is in eyes that can't see
When there's sorrow in sunshine and flowers
And still only our rivers run free
The song "Only our Rivers Run Free" by Christy Moore revolves around the idea of freedom and its absence in his country. The opening lines describe the bleak picture of a land that never sees freedom, where apples still grow in November, blossoms still bloom trees, and leaves remain green even as December sets in. These lines set up an atmosphere of hopelessness where seasons arrive out of season, where nature follows laws other than it's own. Christy then describes how he roams through the hills and valleys of his land, but his sorrow never lets him see freedom. It's a land that has been chained and bound for long, and only the rivers continue to flow freely, conveying the idea of how elusive freedom is to his people.
Christy then drinks a toast to the manhood that died, rather than live in bondage, and fought for their rights to be granted. He wonders where they are now, whether they have disappeared like the snows of the last winter, and whether their legacy will keep his people fighting for freedom. Finally, he describes how life is bittersweet - fragrant roses still die, gentle breeze still sighs, even as the wine becomes dry amid the crying of a people bereft of freedom. He asks the question, what good is youth when it's aging, what joy is in eyes that can't see? The song concludes with the refrain, reminding us that only the rivers run free in his land, hinting at the endless wait for freedom in the face of desolation and loss.
Line by Line Meaning
When apples still grow in November
If apples can still grow in winter, it signifies that there is no harshness left in the environment and our land is set free.
When Blossoms still bloom from each tree
If flowers can still bloom in winter, it means nature is alive, and our land is liberated.
When leaves are still green in December
If leaves remain green in a month that usually sees all the trees left bare, it portrays a sense of life, and our land is unshackled.
It's then that our land will be free
Our country is still not free, but when we witness the above occurrences, it will be emancipated.
I wander her hills and her valleys
Despite my hardships, I am still devoted to my country and explore her mountains and valleys.
And still through my sorrow I see
Although I am surrounded by sorrow, I can still perceive the beauty in my nation.
A land that has never known freedom
Our country has never truly experienced the essence of freedom.
And only her rivers run free
The only thing that flows freely in my country is its rivers.
I drink to the death of her manhood
I raise a glass to remember those men who have died fighting for their rights to be free.
Those men who'd rather have died
These men valued their freedom more than their own lives.
Than to live in the cold chains of bondage
The alternative to freedom is being held captive in the chains of slavery and oppression.
To bring back their rights were denied
These valiant men fought to win back the fundamental rights that were taken away from the people.
Oh where are you now when we need you
In times of need, we call upon our forefathers who fought for our rights.
What burns where the flame used to be
We question how dedicated our people still are to restoring their freedoms, as the passion to fight seems to have dwindled.
Are ye gone like the snows of last winter
Have our hopes melted away like the snow from the previous winter?
And will only our rivers run free?
In today's circumstances, will the only thing left to be free in our country be its rivers?
How sweet is life but we're crying
Even though life can be pleasant, we are still in agony over our country's lack of freedom.
How mellow the wine but it's dry
Although the wine is of good quality, it is not being enjoyed due to our country's state.
How fragrant the rose but it's dying
The roses may smell lovely, but they are still withering away.
How gentle the breeze but it sighs
The wind may feel gentle, but it still carries the sadness of the people.
What good is in youth when it's aging
The youthful vigor of the people is diminishing as they grow older, and their chances of seeing a free country are decreasing.
What joy is in eyes that can't see
We ask what happiness can there be when we cannot see a future of freedom for our country.
When there's sorrow in sunshine and flowers
Even amid bright and fragrant things like sunshine and flowers, our people are still filled with grief.
And still only our rivers run free
In this state of sorrow and agitation, the only freedom we have left is that of our rivers.
Contributed by Mackenzie R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Star_light633
When apples still grow in November
When blossoms still bloom from each tree
When leaves are still green in December
It's then that our land will be free
I wander her hills and her valleys
And still through my sorrows I see
A land that has never known freedom
And only her rivers run free
I drink to the death of her manhood
Those men who'd rather have died
Than to live in the cold chains of bondage
To bring back their rights where denied
Oh, where are you now when we need you?
What burns where the flame used to be?
Are you gone like the snows of last winter?
And will only our rivers run free
How sweet is the life but we're crying
How mellow the wine but it's dry
How fragrant the rose but it's dying
How gentle the breeze but it sighs
What good is in youth when it's aging?
What joy is in eyes that can't see?
When there's sorrow in sunshine and flowers
And still only our rivers run free
@Erykrockmusic
Beautiful im from Poland and i live in Eire for the last 17 years and these songs are truly universal, you always have to rebel oppression and now is the time to rebel...
@colintook3357
The Barrow lands always seem to produce a special audience.
@johnboyle3297
The soul of Eire still yearns for freedom
@nk11090
The most purist of patriotic songs.
@gudlisner501
Mickey McConnell. The fan that also gave us the very funny Aldi Song. A very much under appreciated writer and performer.
@patrickcooney5423
Spent many a night in the Barrowland in my youth , but I missed a great night here . Great stuff from Christy !!
@maggieball40
Saw Christie live in Dublin a few years back...Magic and his voice still gives me goose bumps. great night.
🏵
@robbiebanks9182
Many a tear i.ve shed to christy.s tunes of joy an sorrow .christy your songs are perfection .
@breigedougan6612
Love this song so much only our rivers run free well done Chrissy Moore brilliant ❤
@robertjohnston1339
We as a Celtic people will never give up. Our wee special isle of truth and suffering will be free soon.