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.
Pretty Boy Floyd
Christy Moore Lyrics
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Come gather round me people and a story I will tell,
About Pretty Boy Floyd the outlaw, Oklahoma knew him well.
In the town of Shawnee all on a Saturday afternoon,
With his wife beside him in the truck as into the town he rode.
There a deputy approached him in a manner very rude,
Using vulgar language that his wife she overheard.
In the fight that followed he laid the deputy down.
He took to the woods and mountains of the Canadian river shore,
Pretty Boy found a welcome at many a poor farmer's door.
He took to the woods and mountains and led a life of shame,
Every crime in Oklahoma was added to his name.
There is many starving farmer the same old story told,
How Pretty Boy paid their mortgage and saved their little homes.
More speak about a strange man who came to beg a meal,
And underneath his napkin left a thousand dollar bill.
In the town of Shawnee all on a Christmas day,
There came a car filled with groceries and a message that did say.
"You say I am an outlaw, you say I am a thief,
Here's a Christmas dinner for the children on relief."
As round the world I travel I've met all kinds of men,
Some rob you with a six gun, some with a fountain pen.
But as round the world I travel and round the world I roam,
I've yet to see an outlaw drive a family from their home.
The song "Pretty Boy Floyd" by Christy Moore is a recounting of the life of Charles Arthur "Pretty Boy" Floyd, an American notorious criminal who robbed banks and committed other crimes during the Great Depression. The song is a ballad that tells a story of an outlaw who was well-known in Oklahoma during his time. The song opens with the singer urging the listeners to gather round and listen to the story of Pretty Boy Floyd. He tells of Pretty Boy Floyd's travels with his wife by his side, remarking on their arrival at the town of Shawnee on a Saturday afternoon. There, a deputy approached them very rudely, using vulgar language, which was overheard by Floyd's wife. Floyd became angry and grabbed a log chain, while the deputy grabbed his gun, and in the end, Floyd laid the deputy down.
The song goes on to describe Pretty Boy's life, his run-ins with the law, and his reputation as a thief, with every crime in Oklahoma being attributed to him. However, the song also portrays him as a Robin Hood-like figure, who was loved by many poor farmers, as he paid off their mortgages, saved their homes and left thousand-dollar bills. The song also tells of a Christmas day in Shawnee when a car filled with groceries arrived, along with a message that read, "You say I'm an outlaw, you say I'm a thief, here's a Christmas dinner for the children on relief." The final lines of the song express the singer's reflection that while he has encountered many men who rob others, he has yet to see an outlaw who drives a family from their home.
Overall, "Pretty Boy Floyd" is an ode to a legendary American outlaw, and the lyrics reinforce the idea of Floyd as a man who looked out for the poor and downtrodden. The ballad-like structure of the song adds to its narrative power, making it a compelling story from beginning to end.
Line by Line Meaning
Come gather round me people and a story I will tell,
Gather around me and I will tell you a story.
About Pretty Boy Floyd the outlaw, Oklahoma knew him well.
The story is about the infamous outlaw Pretty Boy Floyd, who was well-known in Oklahoma.
In the town of Shawnee all on a Saturday afternoon,
The events took place on a Saturday afternoon in the town of Shawnee.
With his wife beside him in the truck as into the town he rode.
He entered the town in a truck with his wife beside him.
There a deputy approached him in a manner very rude,
A deputy approached him in a rude manner.
Using vulgar language that his wife she overheard.
The deputy used vulgar language that his wife heard.
Pretty Boy grabbed a log chain and the deputy grabbed his gun,
In response, Pretty Boy grabbed a log chain and the deputy drew his gun.
In the fight that followed he laid the deputy down.
During the ensuing fight, Pretty Boy killed the deputy.
He took to the woods and mountains of the Canadian river shore,
Pretty Boy fled to the woods and mountains along the Canadian river shore.
Pretty Boy found a welcome at many a poor farmer's door.
Many poor farmers welcomed Pretty Boy into their homes.
He took to the woods and mountains and led a life of shame,
Pretty Boy continued to live a life of crime in the woods and mountains.
Every crime in Oklahoma was added to his name.
He committed numerous crimes in Oklahoma.
There is many starving farmer the same old story told,
Many starving farmers have the same story to tell.
How Pretty Boy paid their mortgage and saved their little homes.
Pretty Boy paid off their mortgages and saved their homes.
More speak about a strange man who came to beg a meal,
Others speak of a strange man who came begging for food.
And underneath his napkin left a thousand dollar bill.
The man left a thousand dollar bill under his napkin as a gift.
In the town of Shawnee all on a Christmas day,
On Christmas Day, something happened in Shawnee.
There came a car filled with groceries and a message that did say.
A car arrived, filled with groceries and a message.
"You say I am an outlaw, you say I am a thief,
The message reads: "You call me an outlaw, you call me a thief,
Here's a Christmas dinner for the children on relief."
But here is a Christmas dinner for the children in need."
As round the world I travel I've met all kinds of men,
As I travel around the world, I meet all kinds of people.
Some rob you with a six gun, some with a fountain pen.
Some use violence to rob you, while others use more subtle means.
But as round the world I travel and round the world I roam,
Despite traveling the world, I have never encountered an outlaw who drives families from their homes.
I've yet to see an outlaw drive a family from their home.
Outlaws do not typically force families from their homes.
Contributed by Julian V. 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