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.
Weela Waile
Christy Moore Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A weila weila waila
There was an old woman and she lived in the woods
Down by the River Saile
She had a baby three months old
A weila weila waila
She had a baby three months old
She had a penknife long and sharp
A weila weila waila
She had a penknife long and sharp
Down by the River Saile
She stuck the penknife in the baby's heart
A weila weila waila
She stuck the penknife in the baby's heart
Down by the River Saile
Three loud knocks came knocking on the door
A weila weila waila
Three loud knocks came knocking on the door
Down by the River Saile
"Are you the woman who killed the child?"
A weila weila waila
"Are you the woman who killed the child?"
Down by the River Saile
"Yes I'm the woman
Yes I'm the woman
Yes I'm the woman who killed the child"
A weila weila waila
"Yes I'm the woman who killed the child"
Down by the River Saile
They took her away and they hung her by the neck
A weila weila waila
They took her away and they hung her by the neck
Down by the River Saile
And that was the end of the woman in the woods
A weila weila waila
That was the end of the woman in the woods
Down by the River Saile
The song Weela Waile is a haunting and somber ballad that speaks of a gruesome tale. The song narrates the story of an old woman who lived in the woods down by the River Saile. The first verse sets the scene, introducing the singer, the old woman, and where she lives. The second and third verses introduce the reason for the song's somber and disturbing tone - the old woman has a three-month-old baby, and the last line of each verse foreshadows what is to come with the refrain "a weila weila waila."
The fourth verse is where the climax of the story takes place - the old woman takes her penknife and stabs the baby in the heart. The fifth verse describes the repercussions of the old woman's actions - three loud knocks on the door, with the sixth verse being a question, likely from those outside the door, asking if she killed the child. The seventh verse is the old woman's confession, and the final verse speaks to her punishment - they hung her by the neck, ending her life.
The song is believed to be based on a true story that occurred in Ireland in the mid-19th century. It is thought to have originated in Co. Kerry, where a woman, Ellen Scanlon, murdered her baby and was subsequently hung for her crime. The song has been covered by multiple artists over the years, and there are a few theories about its origins and variations in the lyrics. Despite the somber subject matter, the song has managed to endure and captivate listeners due to its haunting melody and storytelling prowess.
Line by Line Meaning
And there was an old woman and she lived in the woods
Once there was an elderly woman who resided in the woods
She had a baby three months old
This woman possessed a newborn baby, only three months old
She had a penknife long and sharp
Within her possession was a lengthy and sharp penknife
She stuck the penknife in the baby's heart
This woman ruthlessly stabbed her child in the heart with the knife
Three loud knocks came knocking on the door
Suddenly, three loud raps were heard knocking on the woman's door
"Are you the woman who killed the child?"
"Are you the individual responsible for murdering the infant?"
"Yes I'm the woman
"Indeed, I am the very woman
who killed the child"
who committed the heinous act of taking the baby's innocent life"
They took her away and they hung her by the neck
Consequently, they captured her and put her to death by hanging
And that was the end of the woman in the woods
This was the conclusion of the elderly lady who lived in the forest
Contributed by Tristan T. 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