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.
The City Of Chicago
Christy Moore Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
As the evening shadows fall
There are people dreaming
Of the hills of Donegal
1847 was the year it all began
Deadly pains of hunger drove a million from the land
They journeyed not for glory
Their motive wasn't greed
A voyage of survival across the stormy sea
To the City of Chicago
As the evening shadows fall
There are people dreaming
Of the hills of Donegal
Some of them knew fortune
Some of them knew fame
More of them knew hardship
And died upon the plain
They spread throughout the nation
They rode the railroad cars
Brought their songs ant music to ease their lonely hearts
To the City of Chicago
As the evening shadows fall
There are people dreaming
Of the hills of Donegal
The lyrics of Christy Moore's song The City of Chicago speak to the experience of Irish immigrants to America during the 19th century. The song describes a city that is full of people dreaming of the hills of Donegal as the evening shadows fall. This is a poignant image, as it suggests that despite the prosperity and opportunities of the big city, the immigrants still long for the simplicity and beauty of the land they left behind.
Moore then takes the listener back to 1847, the year that marked the beginning of the mass migration of Irish people to America. The famine caused by the potato blight had devastated Ireland, and many people were forced to leave the country in search of a better life. The lyrics describe the desperation of those who left, and the fact that their journey was not one of glory or greed, but rather a means of survival.
The song acknowledges that some of the immigrants did find fortune and fame in America, but it emphasizes that more of them knew hardship and died along the way. Despite these difficulties, the immigrants spread throughout the nation and carried their songs and music with them. The City of Chicago becomes a symbol of the promise and challenges that confronted Irish immigrants in America, while the longing for the hills of Donegal speaks to the enduring connection that they felt to their homeland.
Line by Line Meaning
In the City of Chicago
The song begins by describing the city of Chicago and its people.
As the evening shadows fall
The time of day is emphasized as evening when people are winding down from their day to day activities.
There are people dreaming
The song speaks of people who are dreaming of a different life, a better life.
Of the hills of Donegal
Donegal is mentioned as a place with a lot of natural beauty that the people long for.
1847 was the year it all began
This is an historic event when many people from Ireland migrated to the US.
Deadly pains of hunger drove a million from the land
The song mentions the great famine in Ireland as the driving force behind the migration.
They journeyed not for glory
The people did not migrate for fame or recognition.
Their motive wasn't greed
The song emphasizes that the people did not migrate for personal gain.
A voyage of survival across the stormy sea
The journey to the US was difficult and dangerous, and many people lost their lives in the process.
Some of them knew fortune
Some people were successful and prosperous after coming to the US.
Some of them knew fame
Some people gained notoriety and recognition in the US.
More of them knew hardship
Many people struggled and faced challenges after arriving in the US.
And died upon the plain
Some people did not survive their struggles and died.
They spread throughout the nation
The Irish immigrants spread across the entire country.
They rode the railroad cars
The Irish immigrants used the new railroad system to travel throughout the US.
Brought their songs and music to ease their lonely hearts
The immigrants brought their own cultural traditions, including music, to help them cope with the difficult transition to a new land.
To the City of Chicago
The song returns to the city of Chicago as a focal point for Irish immigrants in the US.
As the evening shadows fall
The time of day is mentioned again as evening when people are reflecting on their lives and experiences.
There are people dreaming
The desire for a better life is still present among Irish immigrants in Chicago.
Of the hills of Donegal
The natural beauty and cultural traditions of Donegal continue to be a source of longing for the Irish immigrants in Chicago.
Contributed by Liliana F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@chesterproudfoot9864
I've yet to step onto Irish soil, but will someday. I owe it to my ancestors who fled famine and conflict. This song is about far more than merely Chicago. Thanks, Christy for this.
@blackbob3358
ALL our ancestors had it tough; My Irish great g/parents ended up on Wearside, worked down pit, begat my mother, who met mi dad, who begat 11 of us in the county of Yorkshire. All alive and well today. We've all got history, but it seems some try to hide it, for "OBVIOUS" reasons in some cases. It dos'nt go away.
@wanderlust1travels
I was there last week and it truly changed me. The beauty of Ireland is like no other!
@jackiep6704
You ain't irish
@jackiep6704
@wanderlust1travelsย why do you say someone, obviously implying me, is bitter?
@jackiep6704
Are you bitter like a lemon ๐
@robertvanmuiden1629
Heard this song for the very first time at Duke of York, Belfast. It stole my heart forver
@sophiaferry333
Great song written by Christy Moores brother Barry Mooreโฆ
Met him in the Downtown pub in letterkenny many years ago.
He was so humbleโฆ.
Great song and very true.
Not only in Chicago are people dreaming of hills of Donegal but all over the world.
@andrewriddell2098
A great anthem to those that left the land for a better life across the ocean,their toil and sacrifice gave their descendants the American Dream
@nanot.1984
The American dream because you have to be asleep to believe it- Georgle Carlin