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 Lark In The Morning
Christy Moore Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She goes off in the air with the dew all on her breast
And like the jolly ploughboy she whistles and she sings
She goes off in the air with the dew all on her wings
Oh Roger the ploughboy he is a dashing blade
He goes whistling and singing over yonder leafy shade
He met with dark haired Susan, she's handsome I declare
Air
The lark in the morning...
One evening when they're coming from the rakes of the
Town
The meadows bein' all mown and the grass had been cut
Down
As she should chance to stumble all on the new mown hay
Oh it's kiss me now or never, then this bonnie lass did
Say
The lark in the morning...
When twenty long weeks, they were over and were past
Her mammy asked the reason why she thickened round the
Waist
It was the jolly ploughboy, this bonnie lass did say
He caused me for to tumble all on the new mown hay
The lark in the morning...
Here's a health to you ploughboys wherever you may be
That like to have a bonnie lass a-sitting on each knee
With a pint of good strong porter, you'll whistle and
You'll sing
And the ploughboy is as happy as a bird upon the wing
The lark in the morning...
The lyrics of Christy Moore's song "The Lark In The Morning" depict the joyful and carefree life of a ploughboy in a rural setting. The lark, a bird known for its beautiful and melodic song, serves as a metaphor for the ploughboy's happy-go-lucky spirit. The ploughboy, Roger, is described as a handsome and lively character, who spends his days whistling and singing as he works in the fields. The song takes a romantic turn when Roger meets Susan, a dark-haired beauty who captures his heart. The two fall in love amidst the meadows, and their passion culminates in a tryst among the new-mown hay. The story takes a drastic turn when Susan becomes pregnant and reveals that Roger is the father.
The song highlights the beauty and simplicity of rural life, with its picture-perfect scenery, and carefree inhabitants. The ploughboy is an emblem of the honest, hardworking farmers who are content with their lives and find happiness in simple pleasures. The song also touches on the theme of love and lust, which transcends social and economic boundaries. The passion between Roger and Susan points to the universality of human desire and the power it has over people's destinies. Overall, the song captures the nostalgia and romance associated with the rural lifestyle and reminds us of the beauty that lies in this simpler way of life.
Line by Line Meaning
The lark in the morning she rises off her nest
The lark wakes up and leaves her nest at dawn
She goes off in the air with the dew all on her breast
The lark flies away with dew on her chest
And like the jolly ploughboy she whistles and she sings
The lark sings like the happy ploughboy
She goes off in the air with the dew all on her wings
The lark flies away with dew on her wings
Oh Roger the ploughboy he is a dashing blade
Roger is a handsome ploughboy
He goes whistling and singing over yonder leafy shade
Roger happily sings and whistles while walking under the trees
He met with dark haired Susan, she's handsome I declare
Roger meets the beautiful Susan with dark hair
And she is far more enticing than the birds up in the Air
Susan is more tempting than the birds in the sky
The lark in the morning...
Same as line 1
One evening when they're coming from the rakes of the Town
One evening after working in the town fields
The meadows bein' all mown and the grass had been cut Down
The meadows are mowed and the grass is cut
As she should chance to stumble all on the new mown hay
Susan happens to trip over the fresh-cut hay
Oh it's kiss me now or never, then this bonnie lass did Say
Susan tells Roger to kiss her now or never
The lark in the morning...
Same as line 1
When twenty long weeks, they were over and were past
After twenty long weeks passed
Her mammy asked the reason why she thickened round the Waist
Her mother asks why she has gained weight
It was the jolly ploughboy, this bonnie lass did say
Susan tells her mother that Roger is the reason
He caused me for to tumble all on the new mown hay
Susan says that Roger made her fall on the fresh hay
The lark in the morning...
Same as line 1
Here's a health to you ploughboys wherever you may be
A toast to all the ploughboys out there
That like to have a bonnie lass a-sitting on each knee
Who like to have a beautiful girl sitting on each knee
With a pint of good strong porter, you'll whistle and You'll sing
With a pint of strong beer, they'll sing and whistle
And the ploughboy is as happy as a bird upon the wing
The ploughboy is as happy as a bird flying freely
Contributed by Ian P. 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