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.
Patrick's Arrival
Christy Moore Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(William Maginn)
You've heard of St. Denis of France.
He never had much for to brag on.
You've heard of St. George and his lance
Who killed d'old heathenish dragon.
The Saints of the Welshmen and Scot
And might just as well go to pot
When compared to the patron of vipers:
St. Patrick of Ireland, my dear.
He sailed to the Emerald Isle
On a lump of pavin' stone mounted.
He beat the steamboat by a mile
Which mighty good sailing was counted.
Says he, "The salt water, I think,
Has made me unmerciful thirsty;
So bring me a flagon to drink
To wash down the mullygrups, burst ye,
Of drink that is fit for a Saint."
He preached then with wonderful force
The ignorant natives a teaching,
With wine washed down each discourse,
For, says he, "I detest your dry preaching."
The people in wonderment struck
At a pastor so pious and civil,
Exclaimed, "We're for you, my old buck,
And we'll heave our blind Gods to the divil,
Who dwells in hot water below."
This finished, our worshipful man
Went to visit an elegant fellow
Whose practise each cool afternoon
Was to get most delightful mellow.
That day with a barrel of beer,
He was drinking away with abandon.
Say's Patrick, "It's grand to be here.
I drank nothing to speak of since landing,
So give me a pull from your pot."
He lifted the pewter in sport.
Believe me, I tell you, it's no fable.
A gallon he drank from the quart
And left it back full on the table.
"A miracle!" everyone cried
And all took a pull on the Stingo.
They were mighty good hands at that trade
And they drank 'til they fell yet, by Jingo.
The pot it still frothed o'er the brim.
Next day said the host, "It's a fast,
And I've nothing to eat but cold mutton.
On Fridays who'd make such repast
Except an unmerciful glutton?"
Said Pat, "Stop this nonsense, I beg.
What you tell me is nothing but gammon."
When the host brought down the lamb's leg,
Pat ordered to turn it to salmon,
And the leg most politely complied.
You've heard, I suppose, long ago,
How the snakes, in a manner most antic,
He marched to the county Mayo
And ordered them all into the Atlantic.
Hence never use water to drink
The people of Ireland determine
With mighty good reason, I think,
For Patrick has filled it with vermin,
And snakes and such other things.
He was a fine man as you'd meet
From Fairhead to Kilcrumper,
Though under the sod he is laid,
Let's all drink his health in a bumper.
I wish he was here that my glass
He might by art magic replenish,
But since he is not, why alas!
My old song must come to a finish
Because all the drink is gone.
In "Patrick's Arrival," William Maginn tells the story of St. Patrick's arrival in Ireland and how he converted the pagan natives to Christianity with his charismatic personality and miracles. Maginn, through the voice of the singer, presents St. Patrick as a witty and likable character who enjoys drinking and interacting with the locals. He uses his miraculous powers to convert the people and get them to abandon their previous gods. St. Patrick's ability to turn a lamb's leg into salmon and make the snakes disappear from Ireland are presented as examples of his powers.
The lyrics of "Patrick's Arrival" are witty and humorous, depicting St. Patrick as a down-to-earth character who is not afraid to enjoy life while performing his duties as a saint. Maginn's use of vernacular language and colloquialisms add to the charm of the song, as does the use of Irish dialect in some of the phrases. The song is a tribute to St. Patrick and his influence on Ireland, but it is also a humorous take on the legend surrounding him.
Overall, "Patrick's Arrival" is a light-hearted song that celebrates the Irish heritage and the character of St. Patrick, while also poking fun at some of the legends and myths that surround his story.
Line by Line Meaning
You've heard of St. Denis of France.
St. Denis is known, but not remarkable.
He never had much for to brag on.
St. Denis didn't have anything noteworthy to speak of.
You've heard of St. George and his lance
St. George is known for slaying a dragon with a lance.
Who killed d'old heathenish dragon.
St. George killed an old, pagan dragon.
The Saints of the Welshmen and Scot
The Welsh and Scottish saints had little acclaim.
Are a couple of pitiful pipers
They are unimpressive compared to St. Patrick.
And might just as well go to pot
The Welsh and Scottish saints might not have existed for what they're worth.
When compared to the patron of vipers:
St. Patrick is superior to the other saints.
St. Patrick of Ireland, my dear.
Introducing St. Patrick, patron saint of Ireland.
He sailed to the Emerald Isle
St. Patrick arrived on Ireland's shores by boat.
On a lump of pavin' stone mounted.
He traveled on a rock or boulder-like substance.
He beat the steamboat by a mile
St. Patrick arrived before the steamboat did.
Which mighty good sailing was counted.
His arrival was considered an impressive feat.
Says he, 'The salt water, I think,
St. Patrick speaks of his thirst after his journey.
Has made me unmerciful thirsty;
The salt water has made him very thirsty.
So bring me a flagon to drink
He requests a container of liquid refreshment.
To wash down the mullygrups, burst ye,
To quench his thirst and overcome his troubled stomach.
Of drink that is fit for a Saint.'
He requests a drink befitting a saint's status.
He preached then with wonderful force
St. Patrick proclaimed his teachings with powerful conviction.
The ignorant natives a teaching,
He taught the unknowing people.
With wine washed down each discourse,
He had wine while speaking.
For, says he, 'I detest your dry preaching.'
"I don't like to hear sermons without wine," he said.
The people in wonderment struck
The people were amazed and impressed.
At a pastor so pious and civil,
They were impressed with their pious and courteous pastor.
Exclaimed, 'We're for you, my old buck,
"We're on your side," they shouted.
And we'll heave our blind Gods to the divil,
They'll renounce their current false gods.
Who dwells in hot water below.'
They're referring to the devil and hell below.
This finished, our worshipful man
After this admirable performance,
Went to visit an elegant fellow
He visited a fancy and sophisticated man.
Whose practise each cool afternoon
The man would drink every afternoon.
Was to get most delightful mellow.
He enjoyed getting drunk.
That day with a barrel of beer,
The man had a whole barrel of beer on this day.
He was drinking away with abandon.
He was drinking without restraint.
Say's Patrick, 'It's grand to be here.
St. Patrick felt himself comfortable in such company.
I drank nothing to speak of since landing,
The Saint has had no refreshment since his arrival.
So give me a pull from your pot.'
He requests a drink from the man's container.
He lifted the pewter in sport.
He playfully lifted a container of metal (pewter).
Believe me, I tell you, it's no fable.
This tale is true, according to St. Patrick.
A gallon he drank from the quart
St. Patrick drank an incredibly large amount.
And left it back full on the table.
He left it full as if he hadn't even drunk from it.
'A miracle!' everyone cried
Everyone was stunned by this miraculous feat.
And all took a pull on the Stingo.
Everyone wished to try some of the potent drink
They were mighty good hands at that trade
They were expert drinkers.
And they drank 'til they fell yet, by Jingo.
They drank until they passed out.
The pot it still frothed o'er the brim.
There was still foam overflowing from the container the next day.
Next day said the host, 'It's a fast,
The following day was a day of fasting.
And I've nothing to eat but cold mutton.
The only food available was cold mutton.
On Fridays who'd make such repast
It is inappropriate to eat such meat on Fridays.
Except an unmerciful glutton?'
Only an excessively greedy person would do so.
Said Pat, 'Stop this nonsense, I beg.
St. Patrick asks him to stop the foolishness.
What you tell me is nothing but gammon.'
He doesn't believe him.
When the host brought down the lamb's leg,
The host brought a lamb's leg as food.
Pat ordered to turn it to salmon,
St. Patrick magically turned the leg into salmon.
And the leg most politely complied.
The lamb's leg was transformed into salmon smoothly.
You've heard, I suppose, long ago,
An old story is being retold.
How the snakes, in a manner most antic,
Snakes, in a funny way,
He marched to the county Mayo
St. Patrick drove the snakes from Mayo.
And ordered them all into the Atlantic.
He sent them all to the Atlantic Ocean.
Hence never use water to drink
The Irish people never drank water after the snakes were driven into it.
The people of Ireland determine
The people of Ireland made this decision.
With mighty good reason, I think,
St. Patrick thought it was a wise decision.
For Patrick has filled it with vermin,
St. Patrick had driven other pests into the water.
And snakes and such other things.
Including snakes and other similar creatures.
He was a fine man as you'd meet
St. Patrick was a remarkable man.
From Fairhead to Kilcrumper,
From one end of the land to the other.
Though under the sod he is laid,
He is now buried beneath the ground.
Let's all drink his health in a bumper.
A final toast is raised to his honor.
I wish he was here that my glass
The author expresses a desire to drink with St. Patrick.
He might by art magic replenish,
St. Patrick's magical powers might fill his glass.
But since he is not, why alas!
Unfortunately St. Patrick is not here.
My old song must come to a finish
The song must end.
Because all the drink is gone.
The drink has been consumed.
Contributed by Muhammad Y. 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