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.
Scariff Martyrs
Christy Moore Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Such a deed no living man has ever heard before
The deeds of Cromwell in his time I'm sure no worse could do
Than them Black and Tans that murdered those four youths in Killaloe
Three of the four were on the run and searched for all around
Until with this brave Egan in Williamstown was found
They questioned him and tortured him but to his comrades he proved true
On the twelfth day of November the day that they were found
Sold and traced through Galway to that house near Williamstown
They never got a fighting chance but were captured while asleep
And the way that they ill-treated them would cause your blood to creep
The hackled them both hands and feet with twines they could not break
And brought them down to Killaloe by steamer on the lake
Without clergy judge or jury on the bridge they shot them down
And their blood flowed with the Shannon convenient to the town
After three days of perseverance their bodies they let go
And ten pm the funeral passed through Ogonnolloe
They were kept in Scariff chapel for two nights and a day
Now in that place of rest they lie, kind people for them pray
If you were at the funeral it was an awful sight
To see four hundred clergymen and they all dressed up in white
Such a sight as these four martyrs in one grave was never seen
They died to save the flag of love the orange white and green
Now that they are dead and gone I hope in peace they'll rest
Like all young Irish martyrs, forever among the blessed
The day will come when all will know who sold their lives away
Of young McMahon and Rogers, brave Egan and Kildea
In Scariff Martyrs, Christy Moore narrates the tragic story of four young Irish men who were brutally murdered by the Black and Tans, a notorious group of British soldiers who were sent to Ireland to quell the Irish War of Independence. The song refers to the events that took place on November 12, when the four men were captured while they were asleep, tortured, and shot without trial or jury on the bridge in Killaloe. Two of them, McMahon and Rogers, had already been wanted by the British authorities and had been on the run for a while. The other two, Egan and Kildea, had no connection to any conflict but were targeted merely for being in the company of the other two.
The song's chorus pays tribute to the four martyrs and inspires hope that they will rest in peace. The lyrics also describe the dreadful mistreatment that the four men endured and the sorrowful funeral procession that followed their deaths. Finally, Moore highlights the bravery of one of the victims, Egan, who remained loyal to his comrades and refused to reveal their whereabouts even under torture. Scariff Martyrs is a powerful tribute to the four men who lost their lives to defend their country's independence and sovereignty.
Line by Line Meaning
The dreadful news through Ireland has spread from shore to shore
Everyone in Ireland has heard the terrible news about the killings.
Such a deed no living man has ever heard before
This is the worst crime people have ever heard of.
The deeds of Cromwell in his time I'm sure no worse could do
The violence committed by the Black and Tans is worse than what Cromwell did in the past.
Than them Black and Tans that murdered those four youths in Killaloe
The Black and Tans are responsible for the murder of four young men in Killaloe.
Three of the four were on the run and searched for all around
Three of the four young men were in hiding and being searched for.
Until with this brave Egan in Williamstown was found
One of the young men, Egan, was found hiding in Williamstown.
They questioned him and tortured him but to his comrades he proved true
The Black and Tans tortured Egan but he did not reveal the whereabouts of his comrades.
And because he would not tell their whereabouts he was shot in Killaloe
Egan was killed because he refused to betray his friends.
On the twelfth day of November the day that they were found
The young men were discovered on November 12th.
Sold and traced through Galway to that house near Williamstown
The Black and Tans tracked the young men from Galway to a house near Williamstown.
They never got a fighting chance but were captured while asleep
The young men were captured while they were sleeping and had no chance to fight back.
And the way that they ill-treated them would cause your blood to creep
The way the Black and Tans treated the young men was horrific and disturbing.
The hackled them both hands and feet with twines they could not break
The Black and Tans tied the young men up tightly so they could not escape.
And brought them down to Killaloe by steamer on the lake
The Black and Tans took the young men to Killaloe by boat.
Without clergy judge or jury on the bridge they shot them down
The young men were killed on the bridge without a trial or any legal proceedings.
And their blood flowed with the Shannon convenient to the town
Their blood flowed into the Shannon River near the town.
After three days of perseverance their bodies they let go
The authorities eventually released the bodies of the young men after three days.
And ten pm the funeral passed through Ogonnolloe
The funeral procession passed through Ogonnolloe at 10pm.
They were kept in Scariff chapel for two nights and a day
The bodies of the young men were held in Scariff chapel for two days.
Now in that place of rest they lie, kind people for them pray
The young men are buried in Scariff chapel and people are asked to pray for them.
If you were at the funeral it was an awful sight
The funeral was a tragic and heartbreaking event.
To see four hundred clergymen and they all dressed up in white
There were 400 clergymen at the funeral, all dressed in white.
Such a sight as these four martyrs in one grave was never seen
It was unprecedented for four young men who died for their cause to be buried together.
They died to save the flag of love the orange white and green
The young men believed in the Irish flag and died defending it.
Now that they are dead and gone I hope in peace they'll rest
It is hoped that the young men will rest in peace now that they are gone.
Like all young Irish martyrs, forever among the blessed
The young men are considered martyrs and are believed to be among the most virtuous.
The day will come when all will know who sold their lives away
The truth about those responsible for the young men's deaths will come out one day.
Of young McMahon and Rogers, brave Egan and Kildea
These lines serve as a final tribute to the young men who lost their lives.
Contributed by Lauren 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