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 Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll
Christy Moore Lyrics
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With a cane that he twirled around his diamond ring finger
At a Baltimore hotel society gath'rin'.
And the cops were called in and his weapon took from him
As they rode him in custody down to the station
And booked William Zanzinger for first-degree murder.
But you who philosophize disgrace and criticize all fears,
Take the rag away from your face.
William Zanzinger, who at twenty-four years
Owns a tobacco farm of six hundred acres
With rich wealthy parents who provide and protect him
And high office relations in the politics of Maryland,
Reacted to his deed with a shrug of his shoulders
And swear words and sneering, and his tongue it was snarling,
In a matter of minutes on bail was out walking.
But you who philosophize disgrace and criticize all fears,
Take the rag away from your face.
Now ain't the time for your tears.
Hattie Carroll was a maid of the kitchen.
She was fifty-one years old and gave birth to ten children
Who carried the dishes and took out the garbage
And never sat once at the head of the table
And didn't even talk to the people at the table
Who just cleaned up all the food from the table
And emptied the ashtrays on a whole other level,
Got killed by a blow, lay slain by a cane
That sailed through the air and came down through the room,
Doomed and determined to destroy all the gentle.
And she never done nothing to William Zanzinger.
But you who philosophize disgrace and criticize all fears,
Take the rag away from your face.
Now ain't the time for your tears.
In the courtroom of honor, the judge pounded his gavel
To show that all's equal and that the courts are on the level
And that the strings in the books ain't pulled and persuaded
And that even the nobles get properly handled
Once that the cops have chased after and caught 'em
And that the ladder of law has no top and no bottom,
Stared at the person who killed for no reason
Who just happened to be feelin' that way without warnin'.
And he spoke through his cloak, most deep and distinguished,
And handed out strongly, for penalty and repentance,
William Zanzinger with a six-month sentence.
Oh, but you who philosophize disgrace and criticize all fears,
Bury the rag deep in your face
For now's the time for your tears.
The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll by Christy Moore is a song that recounts the murder of Hattie Carroll, a black woman who worked as a maid in a Baltimore hotel in 1963. She was killed by William Zanzinger, a wealthy white man who hit her with a cane at a society gathering. The song critiques both the justice system and society at large for allowing such injustices to happen. The lyrics describe how Zanzinger is arrested and charged with murder, but ultimately sentenced to only six months in jail. The judge is portrayed as indifferent, giving a light sentence to a man who committed a heinous crime, while Hattie Carroll's ten children are left motherless.
The song is a commentary on the racial and class inequalities that were prevalent in America during the early 1960s. By using the story of Hattie Carroll's murder, the song highlights the injustices that were being perpetuated against African Americans and the poor in a society that was supposed to be based on equality and justice for all. The song also criticizes the attitude of the upper class towards the less fortunate, depicting William Zanzinger as a symbol of the entitlement and privilege of the wealthy.
Line by Line Meaning
William Zanzinger killed poor Hattie Carroll
William Zanzinger is responsible for the death of Hattie Carroll
With a cane that he twirled around his diamond ring finger
Zanzinger was wielding a cane around his finger which he used to strike Hattie Carroll
At a Baltimore hotel society gath'rin'.
The murder took place at a society gathering in a Baltimore hotel
And the cops were called in and his weapon took from him
The police intervened and confiscated Zanzinger's weapon
As they rode him in custody down to the station
The police took Zanzinger into custody and took him to the station
And booked William Zanzinger for first-degree murder.
Zanzinger was charged with first-degree murder
But you who philosophize disgrace and criticize all fears,
The song is addressed to those who criticize without taking action
Take the rag away from your face.
Stop hiding behind the mask of indifference
Now ain't the time for your tears.
It's not the time to feel sorry for yourself but to act against injustice
William Zanzinger, who at twenty-four years
The murderer, Zanzinger, is a twenty-four-year-old man
Owns a tobacco farm of six hundred acres
Zanzinger is wealthy and owns a large tobacco farm
With rich wealthy parents who provide and protect him
Zanzinger's wealthy parents protect him
Reacted to his deed with a shrug of his shoulders
Zanzinger shows no remorse for his actions
And swear words and sneering, and his tongue it was snarling,
Zanzinger's behavior is aggressive and disrespectful
In a matter of minutes on bail was out walking.
Zanzinger was quickly released on bail
Hattie Carroll was a maid of the kitchen.
The victim, Hattie Carroll, was a kitchen maid
She was fifty-one years old and gave birth to ten children
Carroll was a mother of ten
Who carried the dishes and took out the garbage
Carroll had menial tasks and didn't have a high status in society
And never sat once at the head of the table
Carroll was never treated with respect or dignity
And didn't even talk to the people at the table
Carroll was ignored and excluded from conversations
Who just cleaned up all the food from the table
Carroll was responsible for cleaning up after others
And emptied the ashtrays on a whole other level,
Carroll's job was to clean up after others' vices
Got killed by a blow, lay slain by a cane
Carroll was killed by Zanzinger's violent attack
That sailed through the air and came down through the room,
Zanzinger's attack was carried out with force and aggression
Doomed and determined to destroy all the gentle.
Zanzinger's actions were cruel and unjust
And she never done nothing to William Zanzinger.
Carroll did nothing to deserve Zanzinger's attack
In the courtroom of honor, the judge pounded his gavel
The judgment took place in a court of law
To show that all's equal and that the courts are on the level
The judge's duty is to uphold justice and equality
And that the strings in the books ain't pulled and persuaded
The law is not influenced by personal connections or hidden agendas
And that even the nobles get properly handled
The law applies to everyone regardless of social status
Once that the cops have chased after and caught 'em
The police have done their job in apprehending the criminal
And that the ladder of law has no top and no bottom,
The law applies to all and is impartial
Stared at the person who killed for no reason
The judge looked at Zanzinger, who committed a senseless act of violence
Who just happened to be feelin' that way without warnin'.
Zanzinger's motives for his attack were unclear
And he spoke through his cloak, most deep and distinguished,
The judge pronounced his sentence in a grave and solemn manner
And handed out strongly, for penalty and repentance,
Zanzinger was given a strong punishment as a means of repentance for his actions
William Zanzinger with a six-month sentence.
Zanzinger was sentenced to six months in prison
Oh, but you who philosophize disgrace and criticize all fears,
The song is once again addressed to those who criticize without taking action
Bury the rag deep in your face
Stop hiding behind the mask of indifference
For now's the time for your tears.
It's time to take action and show compassion towards those who are suffering
Contributed by Gavin M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Paul Mahon
This period of Christy Moore's performing career, when he was touring with just Declan Sinnott for backing, was arguably the best. I saw them at the Barrowlands in 2012 and they were brilliant. This is an excellent version of this song.
StefMc1981
Nowhere quite like the Barrowlands. Christy said it himself, his shows there are special. Seen him there twice in the early 2000's. Amazing nights. Wid love to see him the the concert hall but never got round to that
James Weller
What a good performer! He sings so well and snares with his bardic story in song.
Chili Phil
The part I love best of this song is the last chorus. An absolute masterpiece.
John Bidwell
Loved this!! Harmonies were perfect and this iteration absolutely captured the spirit of the original.
joey phelan
Christy living the song, brilliant stuff altogether...
Irish Field
Gorgeous singing and so amazing song ever thank you Christy and Declan topssssssss
Patricia Delicia
Fabulous cover of Dylan’s masterpiece. ❤
Lisa Lewis-Freeman
Heart breaking and brilliant, love this cover x
TH Norway
A great version!!!