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.
Smoke And Strong Whiskey
Christy Moore Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Kids wear white garters, and smell like their mothers
Whose husbands and fathers alike
Drink black beer in the same public houses
Smelling of smoke and strong whiskey.
Mammies and daddies, skipping ropes
Lectures from priests, living in hope
They've paid for by spiritual teachings.
A busy year this, streets running red
How many sent to their nuptial bed
How many sent home to a winter of graves
How many wait in for the slaughter.
It's Easter again, and we cannot forget
Our brothers and sisters and all that was said
So practise your pipes, stand proud in the wet.
For the eyes of the world are upon you.
CHORUS
Oh, oh, the holy ground
Céad mile failte, there's saints and there's scholars to see
Oh, oh, the holy ground
Faraway hills ain't as green as they once used to be
Seveteen years, Kelly is a man
Who stands on the street with a gun in his hand
He's protecting the pipers that play in the band
While the enemy waits with an army.
God in his mercy has given us men
To lead us to peace but they can't bring an end
To the profits that pay off the lease on the land
We're still sending them over the water
Dia le hÉireann, suckle the empire.
Dia le hÉireann, suffer the loss.
Of the green and the blue while the media feeds
On the blood and the pain and the hatred.
Father walks home on a colourless night
The organisation has blinded his sight
His wife and his kids are sleeping tonight
In the arms of sweet Jesus and Mary.
CHORUS x 2
The lyrics of Christy Moore’s song “Smoke and Strong Whiskey” delve into the daily lives of the people of Ireland, who cope with their struggles and the effects of the country’s war. The opening lines describe the innocence of the younger generation who resemble their parents and the habits they have fallen into due to their harsh living environments, including the constant consumption of black beer and strong whiskey whose scent engulfs the local pubs. Moore goes on to describe the difficulties of life in Ireland, with families living in hope despite being unable to afford basic necessities like proper clothing. He then switches the focus to the ongoing struggle of the country, with the streets stained with blood and a considerable number of people sent to face death. The song reaches its climax as it mentions Easter, a period when the world's eyes are on Ireland.
Moore alludes to the powerful influence of the media and the empire's propaganda, which highlights the pain and agony of war. He talks about how the country has lost its greenery and calmness, now consumed by hatred and violence. The lyrics speculate that it is unlikely peace will come through the current leaders as they are unreliable and are more likely to benefit financially. The song ultimately ends with forgiveness as a father walks home alone, blinded by the organization and unable to see the harsh realities of his situation. His family awaits him in the arms of sweet Jesus and Mary, showing that even in the depths of despair, forgiveness is necessary.
Line by Line Meaning
Kids wear white garters, and smell like their mothers
Children wear white garters and have the same scent as their mothers.
Whose husbands and fathers alike
Drink black beer in the same public houses
Smelling of smoke and strong whiskey.
Their husbands and fathers drink black beer at the same public houses, with the strong smell of smoke and whiskey.
Mammies and daddies, skipping ropes
Lectures from priests, living in hope
That they've not mistaken the brand of their coats
They've paid for by spiritual teachings.
Parents watch their kids playing and listen to sermons, hoping they are living according to their spiritual teachings and have bought the right brand of coat.
A busy year this, streets running red
How many sent to their nuptial bed
How many sent home to a winter of graves
How many wait in for the slaughter.
It has been a hectic year, with many people getting married and many dying, with some waiting for their inevitable death.
It's Easter again, and we cannot forget
Our brothers and sisters and all that was said
So practise your pipes, stand proud in the wet.
For the eyes of the world are upon you.
On Easter, remember what was said and show pride by practicing your pipes, since everyone is watching.
Oh, oh, the holy ground
Céad mile failte, there's saints and there's scholars to see
Oh, oh, the holy ground
Faraway hills ain't as green as they once used to be
The holy ground is full of saints and scholars to see, while faraway hills are not as lush as they used to be.
Seveteen years, Kelly is a man
Who stands on the street with a gun in his hand
He's protecting the pipers that play in the band
While the enemy waits with an army.
Kelly, who is only 17, stands on the street with a gun, protecting the pipers in the band while the enemy waits with an army.
God in his mercy has given us men
To lead us to peace but they can't bring an end
To the profits that pay off the lease on the land
We're still sending them over the water
God has given us leaders to bring peace, but they can't stop the profits that pay for the land lease, causing us to continue sending people overseas.
Dia le hÉireann, suckle the empire.
Dia le hÉireann, suffer the loss.
Of the green and the blue while the media feeds
On the blood and the pain and the hatred.
God bless Ireland, as it sucks the empire's resources and suffers losses of greenery and nature, while the media profits from the pain and hatred of conflicts.
Father walks home on a colourless night
The organisation has blinded his sight
His wife and his kids are sleeping tonight
In the arms of sweet Jesus and Mary.
A father walks home on a dreary night with his sight negatively affected by an unknown organization. His wife and kids are sleeping peacefully under the watchful eye of God.
Contributed by Cole O. 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