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.
Ridin' The High Stool
Christy Moore Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On the price of rice in Siera Leone and the height of the beef mountain.
As to where did Jack Doyle meet Movita. How many wives did the Aga Khan.
Dismountin′ from my high horse, I couldn't find the handle of the bar room door!
Yeah sure I knew it all then up again' the counter,
I′d weigh you up in ten seconds flat.
Ya see I was a great judge of character, my instincts always tellin′ me exactly what kinda guy I got.
I was heading down the streets of Laredo singin' Red Sails in the Sunset,
Sure it was no wonder, we knew it all then.
Twas like drinkin′ porter off a sore leg sez Ber Murphy.
"Would ye ever ask me bollix", sez Kenny Barry.
I showed them the colour of me money when I got back from Katanga,
There's no business like show business sez Titch Maher in Flood′s bar.
After snaggin' turnips for the Holy Fathers,
But after it got dark, much later; down by the pinkeen. I cried buckets in the river,
When Mickser sang "Oh gentle Swallows"...oh gentle swallows
For knowin' it all is a lonely place to be. Yet still I found it very hard to say,
"Hey man, this load is too much for me, til I was completely terrified.
Whereupon a light ship came upon my way, and caught me in its beam.
Before I went under, yet again, for the very last time.
I was ridin′ the high stool, expandin′ and expoundin'.
Swimming in the wine lakes and climbing the beef mountains.
Ridin′ the high stool expandin' and expoundin′,
On the price of rice in Siera Leone and the height of the beef mountain.
Ridin' the high stool expandin′ and expoundin'...
Christy Moore's "Ridin' The High Stool" is a nostalgic song about the youthful, carefree days of an Irishman bellying up to a pub bar, speaking knowledgeably about a wide variety of subjects, and believing himself to be a great judge of character. However, despite his self-assuredness, he demonstrates a lack of understanding, perhaps even self-doubt or fear, when he cannot find the handle to the barroom door, and when later he finds himself unable to differentiate between his "arse and his well-bent elbow." The song then takes a dramatic turn as the singer begins to feel overwhelmed by the world's problems and the weight of his own life, crying at the river to the gentle song of "Oh gentle Swallows" and realizing that "knowin' it all" is ultimately a lonely place to be.
The song is beautifully written and evocative, capturing the feeling of being young and carefree and then gradually growing more and more disillusioned as adulthood sets in. The lyrics are full of Irish colloquialisms and cultural references, making the song a celebration of Irish pub culture as well as a more universal meditation on growing up and losing one's innocence.
Line by Line Meaning
I was riding the high stool, expandin′ and expoundin'
I was sitting on a bar stool, feeling important and intelligent, while talking about topics like the cost of rice in Sierra Leone and the surplus of beef in the meat industry.
On the price of rice in Siera Leone and the height of the beef mountain.
I was discussing the economic situation of a country far away, and the excess amount of meat produced by the industry.
As to where did Jack Doyle meet Movita. How many wives did the Aga Khan.
I was also pondering the personal lives of public figures, wondering about the details of their romantic relationships and marriages.
Dismountin′ from my high horse, I couldn't find the handle of the bar room door!
After feeling superior and knowledgeable, I realized I was too drunk to even find the door handle and leave the bar.
Yeah sure I knew it all then up again' the counter,
I felt very confident and sure of myself while standing at the bar, talking to others as if I knew everything about everything.
I′d weigh you up in ten seconds flat.
I would quickly judge someone's character and personality, without getting to know them more deeply or truly understanding them.
Ya see I was a great judge of character, my instincts always tellin′ me exactly what kinda guy I got.
I believed I had a talent for intuitively understanding and evaluating people, always thinking my initial impressions were completely correct.
'Til I turned to go that is, whereupon I couldn′t tell my arse from my well-bent elbow.
But as soon as I tried to leave, I became so intoxicated that I lost all sense of direction and balance, becoming completely disoriented.
I was heading down the streets of Laredo singin' Red Sails in the Sunset,
I was walking through the streets of Laredo, singing a song called Red Sails in the Sunset.
Sure it was no wonder, we knew it all then.
I thought it was obvious that we knew everything back then, as if being young and foolish meant being wise and all-knowing.
Twas like drinkin′ porter off a sore leg sez Ber Murphy.
Ber Murphy compared our way of thinking to drinking alcohol off of an infected wound, something that might seem like a good idea at the time but is actually quite foolish.
"Would ye ever ask me bollix", sez Kenny Barry.
Kenny Barry sarcastically commented that we were so confident in our own thinking that we would never even consider asking for someone else's opinion or advice.
I showed them the colour of me money when I got back from Katanga,
When I returned from my travels in Katanga, I proudly showed off the money I had earned or saved there.
There's no business like show business sez Titch Maher in Flood′s bar.
Titch Maher quoted a famous musical theatre song, implying that the way we were thinking and acting was like a performance or show, without any real substance or depth.
After snaggin' turnips for the Holy Fathers,
I had spent time doing menial and unimportant tasks for the church.
But after it got dark, much later; down by the pinkeen. I cried buckets in the river,
Later that night, I found myself sobbing uncontrollably by a small river, overwhelmed with emotions and feelings of loneliness and despair.
When Mickser sang "Oh gentle Swallows"...oh gentle swallows
The sound of Mickser singing a soft, mournful song added to my feelings of sadness and melancholy.
For knowin' it all is a lonely place to be.
I realized that thinking I knew everything was actually quite lonely, as it kept me from truly connecting with others or understanding their perspectives.
Yet still I found it very hard to say,
Even though I had recognized the negative consequences of my way of thinking, I still found it difficult to admit my mistakes or seek help.
"Hey man, this load is too much for me, til I was completely terrified.
I finally reached a point where I was completely overwhelmed and felt like I couldn't handle the pressure or expectations put upon me, leading me to feel scared and anxious.
Whereupon a light ship came upon my way, and caught me in its beam.
In that moment, I felt like a ship on a dark sea, seeking guidance or direction, and suddenly saw a light that gave me hope.
Before I went under, yet again, for the very last time.
As I was about to give up and let myself sink into a state of despair, I realized that this was my last chance to change, to rise up again and embrace a new way of thinking and living.
Ridin′ the high stool expandin' and expoundin′,
The phrase repeats, emphasizing the idea of feeling superior and knowledgeable while sitting on a bar stool and talking.
Writer(s): Christy Moore
Contributed by Leah 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