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.
Paddy On The Road
Christy Moore Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With Fitzpatrick, Murphy, Ashe and Wimpey's gang
I've been often on the road on my way to draw the dole
When there's nothing left to do for Sir John Laing
I used to think that God made the mixer pick and hod
So that Paddy might know hell above the ground
I've had gangers big and tough tell me tear it all out rough
When you're building up and tearing England down
In a tunnel underground a young Limerick man was found
He was built into the new Victoria Line
When the pouring gang had past sticking through the concrete cast
Was the face of little Charlie Joe Devine
And the ganger man McGurk big Paddy ate the work
When the gas main burst and he flew off the ground
Oh they swear he said "Don't slack, I'll not be here until I'm back"
Keep on building up and tearing England down
I remember Carrier Jack with his hod upon his back
How he swore he'd one day set the world on fire
But his face they've never seen since his shovel it cut clean
Through the middle of a big high tension wire
I saw auld Bald McGann from the big flyover fall
Into a concrete mixer spinning round
Although his life was spent he got a fine head of cement
As he was building up and tearing England down
I was on the hydro dam the day that Pat McCann
Got the better of his stammer in a week
He fell from the shuttering jam and that poor auld stuttering man
He was never ever more inclined to speak
No more like Robin Hood will he roam through Cricklewood
Or dance around the pubs of Camden Town
But let no man complain Paddy does not die in vain
When he's building up and tearing England down
So come all you navvies bold who think that English gold
Is just waiting to be taken from each sod
Or that the likes of you and me could ever get an OBE
Or an knighthood for good service to the hod
They've the concrete master race to keep you in your place
The ganger man to kick you to the ground
If you ever try to take part of what the bosses make
When they're building up and tearing England down
The song "Paddy On The Road" by Christy Moore tells the story of Irish labourers, nicknamed "navvies" who came to England to work on construction sites. The lyrics depict the hard life of these men, who had to work in harsh conditions and often face danger, in order to make a living. The opening lines of the song reveal the different construction companies that the singer had worked for, such as McAlpine, Costain, Fitzpatrick, Murphy, Ashe, and Wimpey. These companies were responsible for building many of the major projects in post-war Britain, including motorways, bridges, and tall buildings.
The second stanza of the song tells the story of a tragic accident that occurred on a construction site, where a young Limerick man named Charlie Joe Devine was buried alive while working on the Victoria Line. The body was only discovered when the concrete had dried and his face could be seen. The third stanza describes the fate of Carrier Jack who died after his shovel hit a high tension wire, Bald McGann who fell into a concrete mixer, and Pat McCann who fell from a hydro dam. Despite their tragic endings, the song stresses that these men were heroes who spent their lives building up and tearing England down.
Line by Line Meaning
I've won a heroes name with McAlpine and Costain
I have gained recognition for my work with construction companies such as McAlpine and Costain.
With Fitzpatrick, Murphy, Ashe and Wimpey's gang
I have also worked with other gangs or groups associated with Wimpey, Fitzpatrick, Murphy, and Ashe.
I've been often on the road on my way to draw the dole
I have frequently been unemployed and seeking government benefits.
When there's nothing left to do for Sir John Laing
If there are no job opportunities available with companies like Sir John Laing.
I used to think that God made the mixer pick and hod
I used to believe that construction was a divine calling or destiny for Irish workers using tools like the mixer, pick, and hod.
So that Paddy might know hell above the ground
Working in construction was a difficult and challenging job, often making Irish workers feel like they were in a living hell on the ground.
I've had gangers big and tough tell me tear it all out rough
I've faced intimidating supervisors who demanded rough and tough work, tearing down and rebuilding structures.
When you're building up and tearing England down
This work involved both constructing and demolishing structures in England, as an Irish worker.
In a tunnel underground a young Limerick man was found
An Irish worker from Limerick was discovered buried in the new Victoria Line tunnel.
He was built into the new Victoria Line
His body became part of the structure and foundation of this new railway line.
When the pouring gang had past sticking through the concrete cast
After the concrete had been poured and sealed, his face remained visible through the hardened material.
Was the face of little Charlie Joe Devine
The face inside the tunnel belonged to a young worker named Charlie Joe Devine.
And the ganger man McGurk big Paddy ate the work
The supervisor, McGurk, gave the demanding tasks to the Irish worker named Big Paddy.
When the gas main burst and he flew off the ground
Big Paddy was injured and knocked off the ground when a gas main suddenly exploded.
Oh they swear he said "Don't slack, I'll not be here until I'm back"
Big Paddy encouraged his co-workers to keep working hard and not to slow down, despite his injury.
Keep on building up and tearing England down
The song's refrain repeats the idea of construction work as both building up and tearing down structures in England.
I remember Carrier Jack with his hod upon his back
I recall a worker named Carrier Jack who carried a hod on his back while working.
How he swore he'd one day set the world on fire
Carrier Jack had grand ambitions to achieve success or greatness in his work and in life.
But his face they've never seen since his shovel it cut clean
Unfortunately, Carrier Jack's face was never seen again after he accidentally severed it with his shovel.
Through the middle of a big high tension wire
His accident involved cutting through a wire that carried high voltage electricity.
I saw auld Bald McGann from the big flyover fall
I witnessed an older worker named Bald McGann fall from a tall flyover structure.
Into a concrete mixer spinning round
Bald McGann fell into a machine used to mix, transport, and pour concrete.
Although his life was spent he got a fine head of cement
Despite Bald McGann's sacrifice and death, he became part of the newly constructed building with a head made of cement.
As he was building up and tearing England down
Even in death, Bald McGann's efforts contributed to the process of both constructing and demolishing structures in England.
I was on the hydro dam the day that Pat McCann
I recall being on a hydro dam construction site when a worker named Pat McCann had a breakthrough.
Got the better of his stammer in a week
Despite his speech impediment, Pat McCann gained confidence and fluency in his speech within one week of hard work.
He fell from the shuttering jam and that poor auld stuttering man
Sadly, Pat McCann fell from a high platform for pouring concrete, and was an older worker with a stammer.
He was never ever more inclined to speak
Despite his breakthrough in speech fluency, Pat McCann was never able to speak again after his fall.
No more like Robin Hood will he roam through Cricklewood
Pat McCann was no longer able to go out and socialize like he used to, reminiscing about a past time when he felt like a legendary figure like Robin Hood.
Or dance around the pubs of Camden Town
Pat McCann's social life and physical abilities were forever diminished after his construction accident.
But let no man complain Paddy does not die in vain
This line suggests that even when Irish workers die or are injured on the job in England, their sacrifices are not in vain or meaningless.
When he's building up and tearing England down
The song's refrain repeats the idea of construction work as both building up and tearing down structures in England.
So come all you navvies bold who think that English gold
The song's final verse addresses fellow Irish construction workers in England, warning them of the difficulties and obstacles they will face.
Is just waiting to be taken from each sod
The money and opportunities available in England are not as easy to obtain as they may seem.
Or that the likes of you and me could ever get an OBE
Irish workers in England are unlikely to receive awards or recognition for their hard work, such as an Order of the British Empire medal.
Or an knighthood for good service to the hod
Workers' efforts and dedication to the construction profession are not traditionally rewarded with knighthoods or other forms of recognition.
They've the concrete master race to keep you in your place
The term 'concrete master race' refers to English supervisors or management who maintain power dynamics on construction sites, keeping Irish workers subordinate and subservient.
The ganger man to kick you to the ground
The 'ganger man' is a supervisor or foreman who is in charge of controlling and disciplining workers, often using physical force or punishment.
If you ever try to take part of what the bosses make
Irish workers are advised not to protest or demand higher wages or better working conditions, as this would threaten the bosses' profits and power.
When they're building up and tearing England down
The song's refrain repeats the idea of construction work as both building up and tearing down structures in England.
Contributed by Isabelle P. 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