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 Knock Song
Christy Moore Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
"Get up", says she, "and get a job", says I, "I'll do my best"
I pulled on me Wellingtons to march to Kiltimagh
But I took a wrong turn in Charlestown and ended up in Knock
Oh once this quiet crossroads was a place of gentle prayer
Where Catholics got indulgent once or twice a year.
You could buy a pair of rosary beads or get your candles blessed
Then came the priest from Partry, Father Horan was his name
And since he's been appointed Knock has never been the same.
"B'God" says Jem, "'tis eighty years since Mary was about"
'Tis time for another miracle." and he blew the candle out.
From Fatima to Bethlehem, from Lourdes to Kiltimagh,
There's never been a miracle like the airport up in Knock
To establish terra firma he drew up a ten year plan
And started running dances around 1961.
He built a fantabulous church, Go h-álainn, on the holy ground
And once he had a focal point he started to expand
Chip shops and Bed and Breakfasts sprung up over night.
Once a place for quiet retreats now a holy sight.
All sorts of fancy restaurants for every race and creed
Where black and white and yellow pilgrims all could get a feed
The stalls once under canvas became religious supermarts
With such a range o' godly goods, they had top twenty charts.
While the airport opposition was destroyed by James' trump card.
For centenary celebrations he got John Paul the twenty-third
From Fatima to Bethlehem, from Lourdes to Kiltimagh,
There's never been a miracle like the airport up in Knock
'We had the Blessed virgin here,' Bold Jamesie did declare,
'And Pope John Paul the twenty-third appeared just over there.'
'Now do you mean to tell me', he said in total shock,
'That I am not entitled to an airport here in Knock.'
TD's were lobbied and harassed with talk of promised votes
And people who'd been loyal for years now spoke of changing coats.
Eternal damnation was threatened on the flock
Who said it was abortive building airports up in Knock
Now everyone is happy the miracle is complete.
Father Horan's got his runway, it's eighteen thousand feet
All sorts of planes could land there, of that there's little doubt,
Handy for the George Bush to keep knock Gadaffi out.
Did NATO donate, me boys, did NATO donate the dough?
Did NATO donate, me Girls, did NATO donate the dough?
Did NATO donate the dough, the dough, did NATO donate the dough?
Eighteen thousand feet of runway is an awful long way to go.
The Knock Song by Christy Moore is a humorous take on the transformation of the town of Knock from a quiet crossroads of religious significance to a bustling hub of economic and religious activity. The singer of the song, who mistakenly ends up in Knock when he was headed to Kiltimagh for a job, describes the changes he sees in the town. Once a place for quiet retreats and religious indulgences, Knock is now a holy site with fancy restaurants, chip shops, and religious supermarts.
The singer attributes these changes to the arrival of Father Horan, who drew up a ten-year plan and built a fantastic church on the holy ground. The climax of the song comes with the description of the airport in Knock, which has become a miracle in its own right. The airport’s construction was the result of James’ lobbying efforts, and Father Horan’s runway is now 18,000 feet. The song ends with a cheeky reference to speculation about the funding for the airport’s construction, with the singer asking if NATO donated the dough.
Overall, The Knock Song is a satirical commentary on the intersection of religion and economic development in small towns like Knock. It pokes fun at the town’s transformation and the various players involved in its development, from Father Horan to James and the TDs. The song also hints at the potential contradictions and tensions between economic progress and religious values.
Line by Line Meaning
At the early age of thirty-eight me mother said "Go west!"
My mother told me to move west at the age of thirty-eight.
"Get up", says she, "and get a job", says I, "I'll do my best"
My mother told me to get a job and I promised to try my best.
I pulled on me Wellingtons to march to Kiltimagh
I put on my Wellington boots to walk to Kiltimagh.
But I took a wrong turn in Charlestown and ended up in Knock
I mistakenly turned onto the wrong route and somehow arrived at Knock instead of Kiltimagh.
Oh once this quiet crossroads was a place of gentle prayer
Knock used to be a peaceful place for religious worship.
Where Catholics got indulgent once or twice a year.
Catholics would come here once or twice a year to seek indulgences.
You could buy a pair of rosary beads or get your candles blessed
People could purchase rosary beads and get their candles blessed here.
If you had a guilty conscience you could get it off your chest.
People could confess their guilt and find relief.
Then came the priest from Partry, Father Horan was his name
Father Horan from Partry was assigned as the new priest.
And since he's been appointed Knock has never been the same.
Ever since Father Horan arrived, Knock has transformed.
"B'God" says Jem, "'tis eighty years since Mary was about"
Jem exclaimed that it had been 80 years since the Virgin Mary had appeared.
'Tis time for another miracle." and he blew the candle out.
Jem suggested that it was time for a new miracle to occur and then blew out the candle.
From Fatima to Bethlehem, from Lourdes to Kiltimagh,
Places from all over the world that are famous for miracles.
There's never been a miracle like the airport up in Knock
The airport built in Knock is considered a miracle.
To establish terra firma he drew up a ten year plan
To establish solid ground, Father Horan devised a ten-year plan.
And started running dances around 1961.
He began organizing dances around 1961.
He built a fantabulous church, Go h-álainn, on the holy ground
He constructed a magnificent church called Go h-álainn on the sacred land.
And once he had a focal point he started to expand
After building the church, he began to expand.
Chip shops and Bed and Breakfasts sprung up over night.
Overnight, chip shops and bed and breakfasts appeared.
Once a place for quiet retreats now a holy sight.
Knock, which was once a peaceful retreat, is now a significant religious site.
All sorts of fancy restaurants for every race and creed
Restaurants catering to all races and religions were established.
Where black and white and yellow pilgrims all could get a feed
Pilgrims of all races were able to get a meal there.
The stalls once under canvas became religious supermarts
Stands that were once under tents have now become religious supermarkets.
With such a range o' godly goods, they had top twenty charts.
Their religious goods were so diverse, they were ranked in the top twenty charts.
While the airport opposition was destroyed by James' trump card.
James' clever move effectively destroyed the opposition to building an airport in Knock.
For centenary celebrations he got John Paul the twenty-third
To commemorate the 100-year anniversary, he invited Pope John Paul the 23rd.
'We had the Blessed virgin here,' Bold Jamesie did declare,
Jamesie boldly claimed that the Blessed Virgin Mary had appeared there.
'And Pope John Paul the twenty-third appeared just over there.'
He also claimed that Pope John Paul the 23rd appeared nearby.
'Now do you mean to tell me', he said in total shock,
He expressed disbelief when someone said they didn't want an airport at Knock.
'That I am not entitled to an airport here in Knock.'
Jamesie felt entitled to have an airport at Knock.
TD's were lobbied and harassed with talk of promised votes
TDs were pressured with promises of votes.
And people who'd been loyal for years now spoke of changing coats.
People who had been loyal began speaking of changing their allegiance.
Eternal damnation was threatened on the flock
The congregation was threatened with eternal damnation if they opposed the airport.
Who said it was abortive building airports up in Knock
Critics of building airports at Knock suggested it was a futile effort.
Now everyone is happy the miracle is complete.
Now that the miracle of the airport is complete, everyone is satisfied.
Father Horan's got his runway, it's eighteen thousand feet
Father Horan finally has his runway, which is 18,000 feet long.
All sorts of planes could land there, of that there's little doubt,
There's no doubt that a wide range of planes can land on this runway.
Handy for the George Bush to keep knock Gadaffi out.
It's a convenient location for George Bush to put a stop to Gaddafi.
Did NATO donate, me boys, did NATO donate the dough?
He's questioning whether NATO provided the funds for the airport.
Did NATO donate, me Girls, did NATO donate the dough?
He's questioning whether NATO provided the funds, but this time addressing women.
Did NATO donate the dough, the dough, did NATO donate the dough?
He's repeating his question about whether NATO donated the funds or not.
Eighteen thousand feet of runway is an awful long way to go.
An 18,000-foot-long runway is an incredibly long distance to travel.
Contributed by Mia K. 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