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.
Wave Up to the Stone
Christy Moore Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It opens out its beauty to hear the cricket sing
But as quick as it does grow it decays away so soon
Before the summer sunshine has reached its golden noon
A stream it does rise in the mountains so tall
It swells into a river as gently it does fall
It meanders to country through city and through town
On the seas the winds do rage and the waves grow so high
As they turn into white horses leaping towards the sky
But soon the waves grow gentle no longer do they roar
As they make their lonesome passageway up to the pebble shore
If I were like a daffodil so fair upon the ground
Or like a gentle river with its sweet and mellow sound
Like a wave up to the shore like a river into the sea
I'd lay down in my resting place contented I would be
In his song "Wave Up to the Stone", Christy Moore uses powerful imagery of natural elements such as daffodils, streams, and waves to convey the transience of life. Through this song, Moore asks the listener to contemplate the brevity of life and surrender oneself to the cycle of nature. The first verse compares life to a daffodil that blossoms and fades away in no time, never getting to experience the full extent of the warmth of the sun. This metaphor emphasizes how life is fleeting and that we must seize every moment to make the most of it.
The second verse speaks of a stream that transforms into a river and eventually merges into the vast ocean. Just like the river that becomes a part of the ocean, the circle of life is about becoming a part of something larger than ourselves. Moore also touches upon the unpredictable and tumultuous nature of life through the metaphor of waves that rise and fall with the wind. The final verse provides a sense of acceptance of our fate, with Moore stating that he would be content to join nature in its endless cycle.
Overall, "Wave Up to the Stone" is a poignant reminder of the fleeting nature of life and the importance of making the most of every moment.
Line by Line Meaning
A daffodil is born and rises in the spring
The flower of daffodil comes into existence in the spring and blooms out its beauty
It opens out its beauty to hear the cricket sing
The daffodil spreads its fragrance and beauty in order to attract the crickets
But as quick as it does grow it decays away so soon
The flower of daffodil grows and fades away very quickly
Before the summer sunshine has reached its golden noon
The daffodil disappears even before the onset of summer and its warmth
A stream it does rise in the mountains so tall
A small river originates from the huge mountains
It swells into a river as gently it does fall
The small stream gradually grows bigger and wider as it flows down the mountain
It meanders to country through city and through town
The river follows a winding path, flowing through countryside, cities, and towns
And in the boundless ocean the river it is drowned
The river merges into the vast ocean, losing its identity
On the seas the winds do rage and the waves grow so high
The winds blow fiercely on the ocean, causing the waves to become very high
As they turn into white horses leaping towards the sky
The waves become tall like horses and appear to jump high up in the sky
But soon the waves grow gentle no longer do they roar
Gradually, the waves calm down and stop making loud noises
As they make their lonesome passageway up to the pebble shore
The waves quietly reach the pebble-covered beach
If I were like a daffodil so fair upon the ground
The singer imagines himself as a daffodil lying on the ground
Or like a gentle river with its sweet and mellow sound
The singer longs to be a soft and melodious river
Like a wave up to the shore like a river into the sea
The singer wishes to merge and disappear like a wave and river once their journey is complete
I'd lay down in my resting place contented I would be
The artist would find peace and contentment resting in their final abode
Contributed by Eli N. 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