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 Reel in the Flickering Light
Christy Moore Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know this takes some believin'
I met a group of creatures
With the strangest lookin' features
A poor old dove and a worm in the weed
And a fine old pigeon, yes indeed
A daddy longlegs jumpet sprite
Oh round we go, heel to the toe
And the daddy longlegs jumpet sprite
As he danced to the reel in the flickering light
On his thin and wispy spindles
He was deft and he was nimble
His eyes were scientific
And his dancing was terrific
And the rats and worms they made a din
And the nettles in the corners took it in
"Oh God" says I, "Tonight's the night"
"We'll dance to the reel in the flickering light"
Oh round we go, heel to the toe
"Oh God" says I "tonight's the night
We'll dance to the reel in the flickering light"
Then he looked at me directly
With a gaze that could dissect me
Then he asked me in a whisper
"Have you got any sisters?"
"Oh God almighty" says I to him
"What sort of a man d'you think I am?
I've only one she's not your type
She wouldn't dance the reel in the flickering light"
So round we go, heel to the toe
"I've only one she's not your type
She wouldn't dance a reel in the flickering light"
Says he:
"Does she come from another planet?
Does she got a bee in her bonnet?
Does she do her daily duties
You never know we might be suited"
And the rats and the worms began in to laugh
And some of them started shufflin' off
We're goin' to have some fun tonight
Getting ready for the reel in the flickering light
Oh round we go, heel to the toe
We're goin' to have some fun tonight
Getting ready for the reel in the flickering light
I could see he had no scruples
When I looked into his pupils
They were purple or magenta
Like a statue during lent
I said "I'll get her right away"
"Good man" says he "now don't delay"
We're going to have some fun tonight
And he flicked his legs in the flickering light.
Oh round we go, heel to the toe
We're goin' to have some fun tonight
And he flicked his legs in the flickering light.
Then up stepped a red carnation
and they gave her an ovation
She was warm and enchatin'
As she slowly started dancin'
And the wise old pigeon peeled his eye.
And the nettles and the weeds began to sigh.
Daddy longlegs said "my-oh-my
Are we ready for the reel in the flickering light?"
Oh round we go, heel to the toe
Daddy longlegs said "my-oh-my
Are we ready for the reel in the flickering light?"
She was gentle, she was charmin'
And I heard him call her "darlin'
He was graceful as a whisper
On his delicate legs of silver
And the rats and worms were still as mice
And the poor old pigeon said "That's nice"
As shimmering there, ah, the lovely bride
As they danced to the reel in the flickering light
Oh round we go, heel to the toe
As shimmering there, ah, the lovely bride
As they danced to the reel in the flickering light
Oh round we go, heel to the toe
As shimmering there, ah, the lovely bride
As they danced to the reel in the flickering light
The song "The Reel in the Flickering Light" by Christy Moore is a whimsical and surreal tale conveyed through vivid imagery and wordplay. As the singer of the song walks home one evening, he encounters a group of unusual creatures with bizarre features, including a poor old dove, a worm in the weed, a fine old pigeon, and most notably, the titular daddy longlegs jumpet sprite. These creatures proceed to perform a reel dance in the flickering light, to which the singer joins in.
The daddy longlegs jumpet sprite is described as being deft, nimble, and scientific, with a gaze that could dissect the singer. In a comical twist, the sprite asks the singer if he has any sisters, to which the singer responds that he only has one, who would not be the sprite's type. The creatures continue to dance to the reel in the flickering light, aided by the arrival of a warm and enchanting red carnation as a lovely bride.
The song can be interpreted in a variety of ways, as the meaning behind the surreal imagery remains open to individual interpretation. It could be seen as a playful commentary on the absurdity of life, the power of imagination and creativity, or simply a fanciful story meant to be enjoyed for its whimsical elements.
Line by Line Meaning
As I was walking home one evenin'
The singer is recounting a story about walking home one evening.
I know this takes some believin'
The singer understands the incredible story that is about to be told may be hard to believe.
I met a group of creatures
The singer encountered a collection of small animals.
With the strangest lookin' features
The creatures had unusual and distinctive appearances.
A poor old dove and a worm in the weed
Among the creatures were a dove and a worm.
And a fine old pigeon, yes indeed
Another creature present was a fine old pigeon.
A daddy longlegs jumpet sprite
One of the creatures was a daddy longlegs with the ability to jump and dance.
As he danced to the reel in the flickering light
The daddy longlegs danced to the sound of a reel, illuminated in a flickering light.
Oh round we go, heel to the toe
The creatures began to dance in a circle, moving their feet heel to toe.
And the rats and worms they made a din
The rats and worms present added to the noise, making a clamor.
And the nettles in the corners took it in
Even the surrounding nettles seemed to be reacting to the music and activity.
"Oh God" says I, "Tonight's the night"
The artist expressed excitement and eagerness about the prospect of dancing and having fun that evening.
"We'll dance to the reel in the flickering light"
The singer was ready and committed to dancing to the sound of the reel in the flickering light with the other creatures.
Then he looked at me directly
The daddy longlegs turned to face the singer and made direct eye contact.
With a gaze that could dissect me
The look in the daddy longlegs' eyes was very sharp and penetrating, almost as though he were taking the singer apart piece by piece with his eyes.
Then he asked me in a whisper
The daddy longlegs spoke quietly to the artist.
"Have you got any sisters?"
The daddy longlegs inquired about the artist's siblings.
"Oh God almighty" says I to him
The singer responded with a sense of exasperation, expressing a belief that the daddy longlegs was probably not someone they would want to introduce to their sister.
"What sort of a man d'you think I am?
The singer was taken aback and possibly insulted by the daddy longlegs' question.
I've only one she's not your type
The artist informed the daddy longlegs that they only had one sister, who probably would not be interested in dancing with him.
So round we go, heel to the toe
Despite the daddy longlegs' question, the creatures continued dancing in their circle, moving their feet heel to toe.
"Does she come from another planet?
The daddy longlegs continued to ask about the artist's sister, possibly not deterred by the previous response.
Does she got a bee in her bonnet?
He also inquired as to whether she had any eccentric or strange mannerisms.
Does she do her daily duties
He even asked about the mundane aspects of the sister's life.
You never know we might be suited
The daddy longlegs seemed to think that he and the singer's sister might make a good match despite the initial objections.
And some of them started shufflin' off
Not all of the creatures present were interested in continuing to dance and celebrate.
We're goin' to have some fun tonight
Despite the mixed views among the creatures, there was a sense of excitement and anticipation about the festivities and potential for fun that evening.
Getting ready for the reel in the flickering light
The creatures continued preparing for the dance, which was set to take place later in the evening.
I could see he had no scruples
The artist was able to observe that the daddy longlegs may not have had a strong sense of morality or ethics.
When I looked into his pupils
The singer noticed something peculiar or different about the daddy longlegs' eyes.
They were purple or magenta
The color of the daddy longlegs' eyes was not normal, but instead had a purple or magenta hue.
Like a statue during lent
The coloration of the daddy longlegs' eyes reminded the artist of a statue, especially during the period of Lent which can be associated with solemn religious observances and sacrifices.
"Good man" says he "now don't delay"
The daddy longlegs instructed the artist to quickly go and retrieve their sister for the festivities.
Then up stepped a red carnation
A red flower suddenly appeared and became involved in the festivities.
And they gave her an ovation
The creatures present cheered and showed great enthusiasm for the flower's involvement in the dance and celebration.
She was warm and enchatin'
The flower had a particular alluring and captivating quality about it.
As she slowly started dancin'
The flower joined in with the dancing at a leisurely pace.
And the wise old pigeon peeled his eye
One of the other creatures present, the old pigeon, took notice and watched the flower dancing with interest.
And the nettles and the weeds began to sigh
Even the surrounding plants seemed to have a reaction to the flower's movement and presence.
Are we ready for the reel in the flickering light?
The daddy longlegs questioned everyone present about their readiness for the upcoming dance, now with the inclusion of the flower as a participant.
And I heard him call her "darlin'
The daddy longlegs seemed to be taking a special interest in the red carnation, addressing it with an affectionate nickname.
He was graceful as a whisper
The daddy longlegs continued to dance with elegance and poise, almost as though he was moving as gently and quietly as a whisper.
On his delicate legs of silver
The daddy longlegs' legs were evidently slender and fragile, but had a beautiful metallic appearance.
And the rats and worms were still as mice
Some of the other creatures present had stopped their own dancing and were solely focused on watching the others, including the daddy longlegs and the red carnation.
And the poor old pigeon said "That's nice"
The old pigeon seemed to appreciate and enjoy the other creatures' dancing, specifically commenting on the performance of the daddy longlegs.
As shimmering there, ah, the lovely bride
The red carnation was beautiful and brilliant in its colors, looking like a sparkling bride.
Contributed by James T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@hugohackenbush1554
There are not enough superlatives to describe just how good Christy is. Nuff said.
@madpadi
Go Christy ☘️🇮🇪To everyone in Ireland and everywhere else Have an amazing safe Christmas Stay safe and keep singing !
@edsenr2101
classic...I spent a couple of months in a caravan and can very much relate to the daddy long legs having the craic with reel in the flickering light...
@besttunes8613
great song - only heard it for the first time a few months ago. Wonderful.
@leesonegan2626
Good man Christy. Sure as sure to gimme a lift. Mood now tis bright n'cheerful. Stay safe Ireland 🇮🇪. All gonna come good. We're wise and whacky. We'll see this out alright.
@christinecatt5391
What a lovely, whimsical song.
@philruane5910
Im gonna try n sing this song next weekend.
@justthetruth1
National treasure
@kingshamie1332
Christy 76 today and still going fair play Christy
@johnnoonan5802
Hello there Shamie , its a great song , Ronan Collins played it today Donal lunny is great in it also, so Christy is 77 tmro by all accounts , i hope he has a great birthday , i was trying Christys page there before i came onto Dexmusic but Christys comments are turned off ,which is a pity ,all the best Shamie .