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.
Rambling Robin
Christy Moore Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To ramble the nation through soon I began
Oh the ramblin' thought that came into me mind
So they christened me Ramblin' Robin oh,
So they christened me Ramblin' Robin.
O'er hills and o'er mountains I used to go
I slept in the woods where there's frost and there's snow
So contented was Ramblin' Robin oh
So contented was Ramblin' Robin
The wind and the rain oh they blew mw quite cold
Me parents at home they were both growing old
Oh me father did weep and me mother did cry
For the loss of their Ramblin' Robin oh
For the loss of their Ramblin' Robin
When sixteen long years they were over and past
Me poor mother's sorrow was ended at last
And me father the nation did range through and through
Oh in search for his Ramblin' Robin oh
Oh in search for his Ramblin' Robin
When all me past follies they came to an end
To me own little village I did attend
Oh the neighbours they told me my parents were dead
Filled with grief for their Ramblin' Robin oh
Filled with grief for their Ramblin' Robin
Oh where shall I wander and where shall I go?
Me heart it is filled with sorrow and woe
Oh the nation I'll wander through and through
And an end put to Ramblin' Robin oh
And an end put to Ramblin' Robin.
The song Rambling Robin by Christy Moore is a poignant and nostalgic tale of a man who spends his life roaming the countryside. The lyrics describe how Rambling Robin began his journey in boyhood and continued travelling through the nation as he grew older, sleeping in the woods and enduring the harsh elements without fear or worry. But as he became older, his parents also aged and longed for him to return home. Eventually, his father set out to find him in search of closure, but by the time they were reunited, Robin's parents had passed away. Filled with grief and sorrow, Robin realizes that he must return home to his village and put an end to his wandering ways.
The song is a tribute to the traditional Irish way of life, where it was common for people to roam the countryside in search of work, adventure and a deeper connection with the land. It is also a poignant reminder of the importance of family, love and connection to one's roots, even for those who are wanderers at heart.
The melancholic and wistful tone of the song is enhanced by Moore's soulful and expressive voice, which captures the mood of the lyrics perfectly. The lyrics are simple but powerful, describing a life lived on the edge of society but filled with a deep sense of contentment and freedom. The song is a tribute to the indomitable spirit of the Irish people and their legendary love of the land.
Line by Line Meaning
When first from boyhood I came to a man
As I grew up, the desire to travel and explore began to take hold.
To ramble the nation through soon I began
I set off to explore the entire country, wandering from place to place.
Oh the ramblin' thought that came into me mind
The idea of wandering and exploring consumed my thoughts completely.
So they christened me Ramblin' Robin oh,
Because of my love for wandering, I gained a nickname - 'Ramblin' Robin.'
O'er hills and o'er mountains I used to go
I would trek through any terrain - hills, mountains, and more - in order to travel further.
I slept in the woods where there's frost and there's snow
I was so determined to travel that I would even sleep outdoors in terrible weather conditions.
No anxiety ever came into me mind
Despite the potential dangers of wandering and sleeping outside, I felt completely at ease with my lifestyle.
So contented was Ramblin' Robin oh
I was completely satisfied with my life of wandering and exploring.
The wind and the rain oh they blew me quite cold
Even though I loved wandering, the elements could be tough to endure and wear me down.
Me parents at home they were both growing old
As I explored, my parents were aging and growing more concerned about my safety.
Oh me father did weep and me mother did cry
My parents were filled with sadness and worry because of my lifestyle.
For the loss of their Ramblin' Robin oh
My parents felt like they had lost me to my love of wandering.
When sixteen long years they were over and past
After years of wandering, I eventually returned home to visit my parents.
Me poor mother's sorrow was ended at last
My mother was relieved to see me again and feel like I was safe.
And me father the nation did range through and through
My father continued to wander around and search for me while I was away.
Oh in search for his Ramblin' Robin oh
My father was always looking for me and hoping I was safe during my travels.
When all me past follies they came to an end
Eventually, I decided to stop my wandering and settle down in my hometown.
To me own little village I did attend
I returned to my hometown and settled there.
Oh the neighbours they told me my parents were dead
I was devastated to learn that my parents had passed away while I was wandering.
Filled with grief for their Ramblin' Robin oh
I felt immense sorrow for my parents and the years I had spent away from them traveling.
Oh where shall I wander and where shall I go?
Even though I had stopped wandering and settled down, I still felt lost and uncertain about what to do next.
Me heart it is filled with sorrow and woe
I was heartbroken and weighed down by grief after losing my parents.
Oh the nation I'll wander through and through
In order to find peace and clarity, I decided to temporarily return to wandering and explore more of the country.
And an end put to Ramblin' Robin oh
Eventually, I knew I needed to fully let go of my wandering lifestyle in order to move on and start a new chapter of my life.
Contributed by Peyton G. 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