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 Foxy Devil
Christy Moore Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
[A] When I was young and [D] handy in my [A] prime
In taverns I would [D] sit and bide my [E] time
It's [A] there I met your [D] company
I'd sit and drink my [E] fill.
It's [A] there that you took [D] hold of me
I think you've got me [E] still.
[A] You're the foxy [D] devil when you [A] like
You set my mind at [D] ease and then you [E] strike
You [A] set me head a-[D]-reeling
You make me shout and [E] sing.
My [A] memory flees, I [D] get no ease
Till I have a little [E] drink.
[A] You're the crafty [D] rogue and that's for [A] sure
For your compan-[D]-y there is no [E] cure
I've [A] squandered all my [D] money
And the best days of my [E] life.
All [A] on your charms, in [D] spite of harm
In spite of peace and [E] strife.
[A] Whiskey in the [D] morning or at [A] night
Gives strength to sing and [D] dance, to love and [E] fight
And [A] so despite mis-[D]-fortune
I'll take you as you [E] are -
The [A] best of friends and [D] enemies
The best I've known by [E] far.
CHORUS
The Foxy Devil by Christy Moore is a song with lyrics that are full of emotions conveyed through storytelling. The song talks about a person who was young and handy in their prime, spending time in taverns, until they met the foxy devil. The foxy devil is a metaphor for the allure of drinking and the singer becomes addicted to it. The foxy devil sets their mind at ease before striking, causing the person to shout and sing but not find any peace until they have another drink. The singer then mentions that they have squandered all their money and best days of their life in spite of harm, peace, and strife caused by the foxy devil.
The chorus of the song evokes a sense of being trapped and helpless against the foxy devil's charms. The foxy devil is described as a crafty rogue without a cure, the best of friends and enemies the person has known so far. Despite the misfortunes caused by the foxy devil, the person continues to take them as they are, drinking whiskey in the morning and night that gives them strength to sing, dance, love, and fight.
The song captures the consequences of addiction and the love-hate relationship that people often develop with it. The lyrics are crafted in a simple yet powerful manner that touch the listener's heart with its honesty and emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
When I was young and handy in my prime
During a time when I was youthful and capable of many things
In taverns I would sit and bide my time
I often spent time in pubs waiting for something to happen
It's there I met your company
I met you for the first time at one of these taverns
I'd sit and drink my fill.
I consumed alcoholic beverages until I could not drink anymore
It's there that you took hold of me
You managed to gain my interest while we were there
I think you've got me still.
I believe that you still have a strong hold on me
You're the foxy devil when you like
In certain instances, you are very cunning and sly
You set my mind at ease and then you strike
You make me feel comfortable, only to deceive me later on
You set me head a-reeling
You make me feel dizzy and disoriented
You make me shout and sing.
You evoke strong emotions in me and I cannot help but vocalize them
My memory flees, I get no ease
I struggle to remember things and I cannot find peace
Till I have a little drink.
I must consume alcohol to find relief
You're the crafty rogue and that's for sure
You are a very sly and cunning individual without a doubt
For your company there is no cure
I find it impossible to resist your charm and companionship
I've squandered all my money
I have spent all of my finances foolishly
And the best days of my life.
I wasted the most valuable and enjoyable moments of my existence
All on your charms, in spite of harm
Despite the negative consequences, I am still drawn to your appeal
In spite of peace and strife.
In times of peace or conflict, I remain fixated on you
Whiskey in the morning or at night
Alcoholic beverages can be consumed at any time of day for me
Gives strength to sing and dance, to love and fight
Alcohol provides me with vigor to engage in physical and emotional activities
And so despite mis-fortune
Even though I have many setbacks
I'll take you as you are -
I accept you for who you are
The best of friends and enemies
You are like both my closest friend and most fierce adversary
The best I've known by far.
You surpass anyone else I have encountered so far
Contributed by Nolan 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