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 Piper's Path
Christy Moore Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On its frosty ride or Autumns frosty pride
And the piper by my side took his tunes from Winters mouth
And played them back to the racing clouds
Through waves of copper trees we followed the purple trees
Past the speckled hen and the seaweed men
On down through the bay of soft weather days
Wind and weather they told us all be done
All together they sang us a Winters song
And the piper by my side took his tunes from Winters mouth
And played them back to the racing clouds
The Piper's Path by Christy Moore is a song that speaks to the beauty of nature and how it can inspire us to create art. The lyrics describe a journey down a path with a piper, following the winter sun as it shines on the frosty ground. The piper takes inspiration from the winter weather and plays tunes that seem to reach up to the clouds.
As they travel down the path, the imagery changes from frosty ground to waves of copper trees to the bay of soft weather. Each scene they encounter seems to inspire the piper to create more beautiful music. The chorus tells us that wind and weather are teachers of the rhythms of nature, and the piper takes those rhythms and plays them back to the racing clouds.
This song reminds us of the beauty that surrounds us every day and how we can use it to inspire us to create. It also celebrates the power of music to capture the spirit of nature and share it with others. The Piper's Path is a beautiful song that captures the magic of both nature and music.
Line by Line Meaning
Down the Pipers path we followed the Winters sun
We walked along the path of a piper, following the setting sun of winter.
On its frosty ride or Autumns frosty pride
We traveled on the winter path, embracing both its chilly ride and autumnal beauty.
And the piper by my side took his tunes from Winters mouth
The piper beside me played music inspired by the winter season.
And played them back to the racing clouds
He played his tunes for the passing clouds moving quickly in the winter sky.
Through waves of copper trees we followed the purple trees
We journeyed through a forest of trees with autumnal leaves shimmering like copper and purple.
Past the speckled hen and the seaweed men
We walked by a hen with unique markings and men collecting seaweed by the shore.
On down through the bay of soft weather days
We continued down to a bay with mild weather.
That led us back to the racing ways
This path brought us back to the quickly passing days of winter.
Wind and weather they told us all be done
The wind and weather reminded us that this journey would soon come to an end.
All together they sang us a Winters song
As a group, we experienced the essence of winter through the sights and sounds of nature around us.
And the piper by my side took his tunes from Winters mouth
The piper once again played harmonies that captured the essence of the winter season.
And played them back to the racing clouds
His music was played back to the fast-moving clouds as our journey came to an end.
Contributed by Nora F. 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