Luka Bloom (born 23 May 1955 as Barry Moore) is an accomplished Irish folk-… Read Full Bio ↴Luka Bloom (born 23 May 1955 as Barry Moore) is an accomplished Irish folk-rock singer-songwriter. He is also the younger brother of Irish folk singer Christy Moore.

In order to avoid the pressure of being related to Christy Moore, Bloom adopted his pseudonym. "Luka" is taken from the title of Suzanne Vega's song "Luka" about child abuse and "Bloom" refers to the main character in James Joyce's Ulysses. Bloom is, however, very forthcoming about being Moore's brother and does not hide behind his stage name.

Luka Bloom's style of guitar playing is very distinctive and is generally referred to as "electro-acoustic". In his early career as Barry Moore, Bloom used a fingerpicking style. However, tendonitis in his hands forced him to adopt a strumming style which is the one he still uses and is often credited with his success.

He began his career in the United States playing small clubs in Washington DC and later in New York City. He was a frequent performer in New York's Greenwich Village--at the Lion's Den (a center for American folk music in the early Sixties), and at the Red Lion, where he played with Eileen Ivers backing him on fiddle, during his "Irishman in Chinatown" tour. (Ivers would also appear on the Riverside album.)

He toured America frequently through the Nineties, although his contemporary touring schedules take him mostly to Europe. He remarked during his 2006 US tour that he has grown fond of playing in Eastern Europe, "now that I don't need a work visa."

His early albums showcased his frenetic strumming style, including "Delirious" the debut track on Riverside, and his penchant for thoughtful cover songs, an affinity that he maintains even in more recent work. Released in 2000, Keeper of the Flame was an album of cover versions, featuring renditions of ABBA's Dancing Queen, Bob Marley's Natural Mystic and the Hunters and Collectors' Throw Your Arms Around Me among others. Bloom had previously covered LL Cool J's I Need Love and Elvis Presley's Can't Help Falling In Love on the album The Acoustic Motorbike. Bloom is often heard to remark in concert about Natural Mystic that "...there are considerable similarities between Jamaicans and Irishmen".

Bloom's 2004 acoustic mini-album, Before Sleep Comes, was recorded while Bloom was recovering from tendonitis. Bloom stated the purpose of the album was "to help bring you closer to sleep, our sometimes elusive night-friend."

Bloom released his most recent album Innocence in 2005. Many of the songs feature a new found interest in Eastern European gypsy music and othe World music. In his previous work, he relied on steel-stringed guitars that created his distinctive style. His aubergine and yellow guitars were often introduced by name at gigs. The most recent album features a more classical guitar and the resonant plucking associated with that style of instrument.

Miracle Cure
Luka Bloom Lyrics

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When all the fighting is done
Forgiveness
When all the blood has run
Forgiveness
The opening fist
Brings forgiveness
A wounded hand to kiss
Forgiveness

It's the wonderdrug
It's the miracle cure
It could change our world
Make our lives secure
I take my chance at each abyss
And reach for my forgiveness

The moment the words cut in
Forgiveness
The moment anger begins
Forgiveness
In the light of a new day
Forgiveness
I hope you'll have your say
Forgiveness

Together we grow
Together we know
No losers, no winners
In forgiveness
Together we're free
Together we see
No right or no wrong
In forgiveness

It's the wonderdrug
It's the miracle cure
It could change our world
Make our lives secure
I take my chance at each abyss
And reach for my forgiveness

Forgive me
I forgive you

Overall Meaning

The song "Miracle Cure" by Luka Bloom is a poignant and thought-provoking piece, with its lyrics conveying a message of forgiveness and unity. The opening lines “When all the fighting is done, Forgiveness. When all the blood has run, Forgiveness” is a call for people to abandon their animosity and forgive each other. The song suggests that only through forgiveness can true deep-rooted healing and progress be achieved: "It's the wonderdrug, It's the miracle cure, It could change our world, Make our lives secure". The chorus emphasizes the power of forgiveness, that every person should take a leap of faith and ask for or give forgiveness at every opportunity they get- even when it seems impossible or challenging to do so: "I take my chance at each abyss, And reach for my forgiveness".

The song also portrays the idea that forgiveness is not only important for individual healing, but also necessary for global healing. The verse "Together we grow, Together we know, No losers, no winners, In forgiveness" points out that forgiveness can bring people together - regardless of their beliefs, background, or status. The song ends with the lines "Forgive me, I forgive you" presenting the ultimate act of forgiveness and reconciliation needed in human relationships.

Line by Line Meaning

When all the fighting is done
Forgiveness

When all the blood has run
Forgiveness

The opening fist
Brings forgiveness

A wounded hand to kiss
Forgiveness

It's the wonderdrug
It is the solution

It's the miracle cure
It is the answer

It could change our world
It has the power to transform our world

Make our lives secure
Provide us with safety and certainty

I take my chance at each abyss
I take risks, hoping that it will lead to forgiveness

And reach for my forgiveness
And try to achieve that forgiveness

The moment the words cut in
Forgiveness