Hey Christy, the beautiful Sally Anne (the wife) and me are jet setting in from Cardiff International to Cork International tomorrow and straight up to the Eccles Hotel for the gig and can’t wait apparently we got the last room! It seems ages since St David’s Hall. If you can it would make her day after all the travelling to have a song dedicated to her tomorrow night! Keep up the touring never stop, come back to Wales soon, Dave Lewis from Newport and Newports greatest Christy fan!
Christy's reply
you are coming to a beautiful place..lovely old Hotel too…if you have time consider a trip to Garinish Island..the ferry is beside the Hotel..it takes 10 minutes to cross and the Island has very unique shrubs flowers and trees….a Gardener’s paradise..hope you have a good trip…we had a grand few gigs in Wales earlier in the year
Warmest greetings, just got my tickets for Ballina on 10 October. A surprise present for my father on his birthday. Can’t wait to see the look on his face. Christy…you sir are a legend! I hear your music whenever I day dream of Ireland. See you soon!
Christy's reply
See you by the Banks of The Moy….what a lovely thing to do..go to a gig with your father…I have often dreamt of such
Seems to be a busy Summer for you – great to see the gigs continuing apace – special night for the Rose with a Tra Lí gig – well merited. Delighted to see you name checked in this version of Ride On – if you find it tough to hit the States or Oz due to the iron bird, I’m afraid where these folks might want a gig !! Keep well and hope to see you along the way : https://youtu.be/mA9dROqvC0k
Hello Christy,
Hope this finds you well. Had a beautiful walk along the coastline today, even in sunshine, and we are very happy to be back to our beloved Beara Peninsula.
We’re already very excited about your Tralee gig (only two more sleeps as Hilary would say) and there will be a full moon over Bantry Bay when you are playing Glengarriff!
Looking forward to seeing you and a few 4711ers friends soon.
Best wishes, Traudel + Horst
I have a huge favour to ask, one which if isn’t possible I fully understand. My folks Paddy & Sheila Condron will be 50 years married on the 18th September and they will be celebrating it in your company at the GBS Theatre in Carlow. Me and my husband have booked tickets for that night too (though they don’t know SURPRISE!!!) We will be the only family there to help them celebrate as the rest live in New Zealand and Thailand. Would it be possible for you to give them a mention and tell them that all the family send their love to them on this special occasion. We would be forever grateful.
Hi all,,,, well just 3 more sleeps !!! and even though you are a regular visitor to An Riocht,,,, its a long,long time since 9th March 2003 when you last played a gig in Tralee,, that time with Declan and Donal,,, great to see the Sold Out sign up,,,, beidh fior failte roibh ar ais,,,, safe travelling all,,,, especially to the USA and German visitors, and to those from the Hills of Donegal,,,,Beir bua agus beannacht,,, H
Christy's reply
reminding all visitors to pause at the beautiful statue of Christie Hennessy in the Centre of Tralee…remember our beautiful brother in song…his light still shines..his memory still lingers…to have known him was one of life’s blessing
Hi Christy, I was very disappointed to have missed your Concert at the INEC Killarney this year. The first time in years to have missed ye. But I’ll be going to the Ballyroe on Friday night to hear you and Declan. I’m really looking forward to it. Is there any chance you would sing The Curragh of Kildare, its a beautiful song but I didnt hear you sing it for years. All the best Christy see you on Friday. Thanks.
Christy's reply
the rose upon the briar by the water running clear
Will Christy ever play concert tour of America again ? NYC or Boston or Chicago. If not , Why?
Christy's reply
He may indeed return to the USA some day but its very difficult to pin him down..he loves working in Ireland..if its a choice between New York and Coolnacupogue, Boston and Ballinspittle, Chicago and Coon he will always take the easy road…..Why? you ask….a very big factor might be, he dont do no aeroplanes no more…
I dropped a line a couple of months ago saying it would be magic if you could play Folk Tale at the upcoming gig in the Glasgow Concert Hall. I’m in the front row and centre, with John Griffin. Two bald headed feckers, you’ll not miss us.
You said it’s a great song and works beautifully if the air is right on the night. I said I’ll be shouting for it anyway and you said remind you nearer the time.
Gig not until October but this is me sticking some oul fertiliser and water on the planted seed, which is hopefully becoming a shoot.
I’ll check in again just before the gig to give the idea a good final watering. I’ll be shouting for it anyway at the approrpriate point during the gig. Hopefully that wee two and bit minutes of sweetness will leak out into the Glasgow night.
Meantime, I’ve been listening to the Folk Tale album, Deccie’s album and two albums by Deccie’s support back in April (David Hope) when I saw him in Glasgow. I have these four albums going in a loop and it fair helps to colour in the scenery as I take my strolls through park and field. Cracking stuff.
Christy's reply
it will be almost impossible to refuse this request but do giz a shout again before we arrive on Clydeside
Diá dhuit ar maidin a Christy,
If I recall you were in Fermanagh over the summer. We have been here for a few days and the weather has been dreadful. Today, our last day we woke up to blue sky and sunshine. Currently on a cruiser on the beautiful water ways of Lough Erne and listening to Planxty.. The Lakes of Ponchartrain…heaven!
Just want to say thank you Christy & Declan for making our night so special at your gig in Fermoy. Met a wonderful lady Hillary Scanlon,.. we both requested Beeswing at the same time!! We had just got engaged so it was a great way to celebrate. Thanks for signing your poster for us and We will see you in November down in Wexford.
After listening to yer interview, where ye played Joe Hill by Luke, I was singing the song in the house & a poem about my granny in Dun Laoghaire slipped out to the air. It felt good, wrote itself, thanks for sharing the song. First thing I’ve written in a while, and I didn’t eve try. Ye have a way of reminding me to work harder…
In Nana’s House We Would Gather – A Rhyming Childhood Memory
On Patrick Street
In a cracked concrete yard
By an empty house
There’s a rose
“That’s Aunty Mainie’s”, you’d often say
“It’s where her spirit grows
Where her spirit still grows”
And asking us
To take it to
Your house further up the road
Where you were in the kitchen, Violet
With your wireless radio
Singing soft and low
Through the window
Jimmy, Roseline
Anto and Ginger pass by Brown’s
Your thread and frocks
Wait on the old sewing machine
For its foot wheel to turn around
For its foot wheel to turn around
Your glass cabinets
With their trinkets
Souvenirs and God knows
With war medals left by men
Lost to wars long ago
Men we never got to know
And photographs
With your husband Ned
Once an army man in Wicklow
Then a worker on the Dublin docks
He lost his father in the GPO
In the Rising in the GPO
The tall piano
Under lock and key
It never made a sound
Until we would climb underneath
And push the keys up from the ground
Push the keys up from the ground
In the backyard
Wild cats would crawl
Out from the ivy and trees below
They would hear the cold pot of jelly stew
Clink the ground and they would know
It was time for them to show
Your words would whistle
When they’d end
I can hear it still you know
You would always call for Christmas mass
Just to make sure we would go
Just to make sure we would go
The French order Sisters
Would visit you
In old Dun Laoghaire Town
With your fearsome tales of Banshee sounds
From back when Ciss was still around
The night before she took her long lay down
For fifty P
To Byrnes shear sharpeners
Your old newspapers were sold
Then into Taggart’s for penny sweets
In a paper cone for the road
And a walk back nice and slow
From the lane we pulled
Wild flower bulbs
For you to plant and watch them grow
By mother’s wall they’re still standing tall
In her garden by the road
In her garden by the road
Violet, now
on Violet Hill
In Glasnevin by Dublin Town
It’s there you lay along with Ned
But they say your smiling down
They say your smiling down
Dear Christy,
Today I read in the Ir. Examiner about the MOT opening. So I hope you’re enjoying the wonderful music in sweet Bantry! We’re going to miss the grand festival this time because we won’t get to the Island until next Monday (if all goes well).
We got great reports of your performances in Fermoy last weekend … even elusive Little Musgrave appeared … Wish I was there!
Glad to read so much here about your new songs, hopefully we’ll get to hear a few of them at your next two gigs though I love the old ones as well. I would be very delighted if you’d sing The Gardener – it’s such a marvellous song!
Only three days till we set sail to Erin’s green shores …
See you soon, Traudel
Christy's reply
The Music rings around Bantry…Martin played a solo set last night in St.Brendan’s that was simply perfect…He opened this years festival with Denis and, as always, I was taken away with their beautiful playing. Lots of other interesting collaborations and cross pollinations. Tonight we have some Indian music to savour. happy travels…..
Holy cow, CM–19 years?? And here I was feeling quite young and sprightly today. Time flies like and arrow–fruit flies like bananas!
Those were some nights… I was also thinking of Randall’s Island the other night for some reason–remember seeing you up on a catwalk or high bridge. Standing backstage singing along with some of NY’s finest to “Fairytale of New York”. That was a brilliant night as well…. Glad to hear a new album is in the works!!! Will look forward to that!! Be good, sing well–the breeze does make its way here on occasion!
Christy's reply
the memory of Randall’s Island stands out…there was magic in the air
TQ very eloquently brought back the Abbey nights in Chicago into sharp remembrance. What powerful gigs. Thank you TQ! And so wonderful to see you on this side of the water. Hope life is treating you well, CM. Have been listening to the notes that sometimes be floating on the breeze…..
Christy's reply
All good here,Thanks Be…new songs coming together, an album almost ready to record….hope your colts and yearlings are buck lepping, stallions and mares in good order….19 years since last gig in USA…gone in the blink of an eye…they’re under starters orders, they’re off !
Wanted to mention too that Luke Cheevers will be releasing his album at An Goilin on the 11th of Sept. I’d be pretty sure that ye’d know who he is. Was listening to your Desert Island Discs interview this morning from 2007 & ye mentioned Frank Harte. Luke is a disciple of Harte’s. Luke was instrumental in me singing Irish folk, although he’s never heard me sing. I went along to an An Goilin session last year (after about ten years)& he only vaguely remembered who I was, as he suffered some illnesses, so I couldn’t bring myself to sing in front of ’em. Had plucked up the courage to go do it on the 11th at his record release, but realised I’ll be in Germany. I feel like I’m letting the tradition of song down, but the German fella was the first to ever book me internationally, so I wouldn’t let him down either. Anyways, in case it interested ye…
Christy's reply
I love Luke’s singing, he is a real ballad singer and a great listener…we are regulars at the Goilín
Dear Christy.
I want to thank you for two wonderful concerts in Fermoy on the 14th and 15th of August ! My first concerts with you and Decklan .. I was really amazed and loved the gigs. Also I was so lucky to get photo together with you 🙂 !
On my way home from the airport (3 hours drive) I was listening to music by you all the way .
I sure hope, you one day (or more ) will visit Denmark. It would be so great !
Even you don´t succeed in coming to Denmark – I will look you up – if you get closer to where I live ..
Thank you again !
Best wishes and love from Anette
Christy's reply
glad you had a good visit…Fermoy is a welcoming town. I love playing in Independent Theatres…no arts admin bullshite…greetings to all Danish Listeners
A lovely interview on Radio one ( Dave Fanning Show) this morning with Mickey McConnell, he gave a great insight into the background of “Only our Rivers run Free”…..Never realized he wrote it at such a young age.
Rose of Tralee this week, the Kingdom to win next weekend……….they will be all raring to go in Tralee on the 28th, with Hilary leading the charge on the home Turf.
…………When there’s sorrow in sunshine and flowers
And still only our rivers run free
Christy's reply
hi Patsy,
I remember the first time I heard that song.I Went to a gig at The Irish Centre in Leeds.Amongst others, Liam O’Flynn and Cathal McConnell were on the bill. Afterwards there was a gathering which I attended with the Poet, Pearse Hutchinson.Much later Cathal sang his brother’s song and I was instantly smitten. Thats the way its always been with songs.You never know when or where they will appear. I heard Mick Curry sing his “Lawless” in the Ferryman, heard “Allende”on the Wireless, heard “Nancy Spain” in The Channel Islands sung by Barney Rush, Jimmy MacCarthy sang “Ride On” to me late one night in Lombard Studios,heard MacColl & Seeger play “Companeros” at a Folk Club in Grimsby 45 years ago,on and on it goes, the mystery of song
I’m rehearsing with Moxie this morning….a poem written by Dave Lordan,its slowly becoming a song…tomorrow we go to The Masters of Tradition Festival in Bantry…5 days of music with a few songs thrown in, ballads for ballast..Hope all is well upon the Broad Street…saw Ray Lynam on the Imelda May show last week….he was sounding really well, lookin fit and healthy…always like hearing him
Dear Christy, I have just come across a recording of your session with with Kirsty Young, – i dreamed i saw Joe Hill last night, he never died… we are both older now but we will never die… I love you Christy. your life is an inspiration to our young.. may you play and be heard forever…
I was in The Abbey in Chicago last night for the first time a a show for the first time since December ’97. The last show was something that I will never forget. I watched a man with an acoustic guitar and bodhran pour his heart and soul into a performance. I’ve never seen anyone sweat like that during a performance (especially during a Chicago winter). At the end of it, he looked like he should have been carried off the stage.
Last night I walked around the theater for a few minutes remembering where I stood for the show. I remembered the stories, the jokes and music. I have memories from that night of my friends who have moved away or are no longer with us.
As the three bands that we went to see last night performed, I was lost in my thoughts about that winter night eighteen years ago. Much of it seemed like yesterday, but yet so long ago. So many great memories.
Thank you Christy.
Christy's reply
Thanks TQ…that defines the year of my last visit…I was never quite sure… I remember snow and a difficult journey home..greetings to all linnets and listeners in the Windy City
Hey Christy, the beautiful Sally Anne (the wife) and me are jet setting in from Cardiff International to Cork International tomorrow and straight up to the Eccles Hotel for the gig and can’t wait apparently we got the last room! It seems ages since St David’s Hall. If you can it would make her day after all the travelling to have a song dedicated to her tomorrow night! Keep up the touring never stop, come back to Wales soon, Dave Lewis from Newport and Newports greatest Christy fan!
you are coming to a beautiful place..lovely old Hotel too…if you have time consider a trip to Garinish Island..the ferry is beside the Hotel..it takes 10 minutes to cross and the Island has very unique shrubs flowers and trees….a Gardener’s paradise..hope you have a good trip…we had a grand few gigs in Wales earlier in the year
Warmest greetings, just got my tickets for Ballina on 10 October. A surprise present for my father on his birthday. Can’t wait to see the look on his face. Christy…you sir are a legend! I hear your music whenever I day dream of Ireland. See you soon!
See you by the Banks of The Moy….what a lovely thing to do..go to a gig with your father…I have often dreamt of such
Seems to be a busy Summer for you – great to see the gigs continuing apace – special night for the Rose with a Tra Lí gig – well merited. Delighted to see you name checked in this version of Ride On – if you find it tough to hit the States or Oz due to the iron bird, I’m afraid where these folks might want a gig !! Keep well and hope to see you along the way : https://youtu.be/mA9dROqvC0k
de pale moon will be rising
Hello Christy,
Hope this finds you well. Had a beautiful walk along the coastline today, even in sunshine, and we are very happy to be back to our beloved Beara Peninsula.
We’re already very excited about your Tralee gig (only two more sleeps as Hilary would say) and there will be a full moon over Bantry Bay when you are playing Glengarriff!
Looking forward to seeing you and a few 4711ers friends soon.
Best wishes, Traudel + Horst
de sun will be declining
Dear Christy, I hope all is well.
I have a huge favour to ask, one which if isn’t possible I fully understand. My folks Paddy & Sheila Condron will be 50 years married on the 18th September and they will be celebrating it in your company at the GBS Theatre in Carlow. Me and my husband have booked tickets for that night too (though they don’t know SURPRISE!!!) We will be the only family there to help them celebrate as the rest live in New Zealand and Thailand. Would it be possible for you to give them a mention and tell them that all the family send their love to them on this special occasion. We would be forever grateful.
With best wishes and regards to you.
Hugh Condron
follow me up to Carlow
Hi all,,,, well just 3 more sleeps !!! and even though you are a regular visitor to An Riocht,,,, its a long,long time since 9th March 2003 when you last played a gig in Tralee,, that time with Declan and Donal,,, great to see the Sold Out sign up,,,, beidh fior failte roibh ar ais,,,, safe travelling all,,,, especially to the USA and German visitors, and to those from the Hills of Donegal,,,,Beir bua agus beannacht,,, H
reminding all visitors to pause at the beautiful statue of Christie Hennessy in the Centre of Tralee…remember our beautiful brother in song…his light still shines..his memory still lingers…to have known him was one of life’s blessing
Hi Christy, I was very disappointed to have missed your Concert at the INEC Killarney this year. The first time in years to have missed ye. But I’ll be going to the Ballyroe on Friday night to hear you and Declan. I’m really looking forward to it. Is there any chance you would sing The Curragh of Kildare, its a beautiful song but I didnt hear you sing it for years. All the best Christy see you on Friday. Thanks.
the rose upon the briar by the water running clear
Will Christy ever play concert tour of America again ? NYC or Boston or Chicago. If not , Why?
He may indeed return to the USA some day but its very difficult to pin him down..he loves working in Ireland..if its a choice between New York and Coolnacupogue, Boston and Ballinspittle, Chicago and Coon he will always take the easy road…..Why? you ask….a very big factor might be, he dont do no aeroplanes no more…
How are you Christy, well I Hope?
I dropped a line a couple of months ago saying it would be magic if you could play Folk Tale at the upcoming gig in the Glasgow Concert Hall. I’m in the front row and centre, with John Griffin. Two bald headed feckers, you’ll not miss us.
You said it’s a great song and works beautifully if the air is right on the night. I said I’ll be shouting for it anyway and you said remind you nearer the time.
Gig not until October but this is me sticking some oul fertiliser and water on the planted seed, which is hopefully becoming a shoot.
I’ll check in again just before the gig to give the idea a good final watering. I’ll be shouting for it anyway at the approrpriate point during the gig. Hopefully that wee two and bit minutes of sweetness will leak out into the Glasgow night.
Meantime, I’ve been listening to the Folk Tale album, Deccie’s album and two albums by Deccie’s support back in April (David Hope) when I saw him in Glasgow. I have these four albums going in a loop and it fair helps to colour in the scenery as I take my strolls through park and field. Cracking stuff.
it will be almost impossible to refuse this request but do giz a shout again before we arrive on Clydeside
Diá dhuit ar maidin a Christy,
If I recall you were in Fermanagh over the summer. We have been here for a few days and the weather has been dreadful. Today, our last day we woke up to blue sky and sunshine. Currently on a cruiser on the beautiful water ways of Lough Erne and listening to Planxty.. The Lakes of Ponchartrain…heaven!
there is never any water shortage in them parts
Just want to say thank you Christy & Declan for making our night so special at your gig in Fermoy. Met a wonderful lady Hillary Scanlon,.. we both requested Beeswing at the same time!! We had just got engaged so it was a great way to celebrate. Thanks for signing your poster for us and We will see you in November down in Wexford.
a pleasure Bellita…
Christy,
After listening to yer interview, where ye played Joe Hill by Luke, I was singing the song in the house & a poem about my granny in Dun Laoghaire slipped out to the air. It felt good, wrote itself, thanks for sharing the song. First thing I’ve written in a while, and I didn’t eve try. Ye have a way of reminding me to work harder…
In Nana’s House We Would Gather – A Rhyming Childhood Memory
On Patrick Street
In a cracked concrete yard
By an empty house
There’s a rose
“That’s Aunty Mainie’s”, you’d often say
“It’s where her spirit grows
Where her spirit still grows”
And asking us
To take it to
Your house further up the road
Where you were in the kitchen, Violet
With your wireless radio
Singing soft and low
Through the window
Jimmy, Roseline
Anto and Ginger pass by Brown’s
Your thread and frocks
Wait on the old sewing machine
For its foot wheel to turn around
For its foot wheel to turn around
Your glass cabinets
With their trinkets
Souvenirs and God knows
With war medals left by men
Lost to wars long ago
Men we never got to know
And photographs
With your husband Ned
Once an army man in Wicklow
Then a worker on the Dublin docks
He lost his father in the GPO
In the Rising in the GPO
The tall piano
Under lock and key
It never made a sound
Until we would climb underneath
And push the keys up from the ground
Push the keys up from the ground
In the backyard
Wild cats would crawl
Out from the ivy and trees below
They would hear the cold pot of jelly stew
Clink the ground and they would know
It was time for them to show
Your words would whistle
When they’d end
I can hear it still you know
You would always call for Christmas mass
Just to make sure we would go
Just to make sure we would go
The French order Sisters
Would visit you
In old Dun Laoghaire Town
With your fearsome tales of Banshee sounds
From back when Ciss was still around
The night before she took her long lay down
For fifty P
To Byrnes shear sharpeners
Your old newspapers were sold
Then into Taggart’s for penny sweets
In a paper cone for the road
And a walk back nice and slow
From the lane we pulled
Wild flower bulbs
For you to plant and watch them grow
By mother’s wall they’re still standing tall
In her garden by the road
In her garden by the road
Violet, now
on Violet Hill
In Glasnevin by Dublin Town
It’s there you lay along with Ned
But they say your smiling down
They say your smiling down
A slightly revised version. Copyright Dylan Walshe 2015 ©
fair play Dylan
Dear Christy,
Today I read in the Ir. Examiner about the MOT opening. So I hope you’re enjoying the wonderful music in sweet Bantry! We’re going to miss the grand festival this time because we won’t get to the Island until next Monday (if all goes well).
We got great reports of your performances in Fermoy last weekend … even elusive Little Musgrave appeared … Wish I was there!
Glad to read so much here about your new songs, hopefully we’ll get to hear a few of them at your next two gigs though I love the old ones as well. I would be very delighted if you’d sing The Gardener – it’s such a marvellous song!
Only three days till we set sail to Erin’s green shores …
See you soon, Traudel
The Music rings around Bantry…Martin played a solo set last night in St.Brendan’s that was simply perfect…He opened this years festival with Denis and, as always, I was taken away with their beautiful playing. Lots of other interesting collaborations and cross pollinations. Tonight we have some Indian music to savour. happy travels…..
Holy cow, CM–19 years?? And here I was feeling quite young and sprightly today. Time flies like and arrow–fruit flies like bananas!
Those were some nights… I was also thinking of Randall’s Island the other night for some reason–remember seeing you up on a catwalk or high bridge. Standing backstage singing along with some of NY’s finest to “Fairytale of New York”. That was a brilliant night as well…. Glad to hear a new album is in the works!!! Will look forward to that!! Be good, sing well–the breeze does make its way here on occasion!
the memory of Randall’s Island stands out…there was magic in the air
TQ very eloquently brought back the Abbey nights in Chicago into sharp remembrance. What powerful gigs. Thank you TQ! And so wonderful to see you on this side of the water. Hope life is treating you well, CM. Have been listening to the notes that sometimes be floating on the breeze…..
All good here,Thanks Be…new songs coming together, an album almost ready to record….hope your colts and yearlings are buck lepping, stallions and mares in good order….19 years since last gig in USA…gone in the blink of an eye…they’re under starters orders, they’re off !
Wanted to mention too that Luke Cheevers will be releasing his album at An Goilin on the 11th of Sept. I’d be pretty sure that ye’d know who he is. Was listening to your Desert Island Discs interview this morning from 2007 & ye mentioned Frank Harte. Luke is a disciple of Harte’s. Luke was instrumental in me singing Irish folk, although he’s never heard me sing. I went along to an An Goilin session last year (after about ten years)& he only vaguely remembered who I was, as he suffered some illnesses, so I couldn’t bring myself to sing in front of ’em. Had plucked up the courage to go do it on the 11th at his record release, but realised I’ll be in Germany. I feel like I’m letting the tradition of song down, but the German fella was the first to ever book me internationally, so I wouldn’t let him down either. Anyways, in case it interested ye…
I love Luke’s singing, he is a real ballad singer and a great listener…we are regulars at the Goilín
Dear Christy.
I want to thank you for two wonderful concerts in Fermoy on the 14th and 15th of August ! My first concerts with you and Decklan .. I was really amazed and loved the gigs. Also I was so lucky to get photo together with you 🙂 !
On my way home from the airport (3 hours drive) I was listening to music by you all the way .
I sure hope, you one day (or more ) will visit Denmark. It would be so great !
Even you don´t succeed in coming to Denmark – I will look you up – if you get closer to where I live ..
Thank you again !
Best wishes and love from Anette
glad you had a good visit…Fermoy is a welcoming town. I love playing in Independent Theatres…no arts admin bullshite…greetings to all Danish Listeners
A lovely interview on Radio one ( Dave Fanning Show) this morning with Mickey McConnell, he gave a great insight into the background of “Only our Rivers run Free”…..Never realized he wrote it at such a young age.
Rose of Tralee this week, the Kingdom to win next weekend……….they will be all raring to go in Tralee on the 28th, with Hilary leading the charge on the home Turf.
…………When there’s sorrow in sunshine and flowers
And still only our rivers run free
hi Patsy,
I remember the first time I heard that song.I Went to a gig at The Irish Centre in Leeds.Amongst others, Liam O’Flynn and Cathal McConnell were on the bill. Afterwards there was a gathering which I attended with the Poet, Pearse Hutchinson.Much later Cathal sang his brother’s song and I was instantly smitten. Thats the way its always been with songs.You never know when or where they will appear. I heard Mick Curry sing his “Lawless” in the Ferryman, heard “Allende”on the Wireless, heard “Nancy Spain” in The Channel Islands sung by Barney Rush, Jimmy MacCarthy sang “Ride On” to me late one night in Lombard Studios,heard MacColl & Seeger play “Companeros” at a Folk Club in Grimsby 45 years ago,on and on it goes, the mystery of song
I’m rehearsing with Moxie this morning….a poem written by Dave Lordan,its slowly becoming a song…tomorrow we go to The Masters of Tradition Festival in Bantry…5 days of music with a few songs thrown in, ballads for ballast..Hope all is well upon the Broad Street…saw Ray Lynam on the Imelda May show last week….he was sounding really well, lookin fit and healthy…always like hearing him
Dear Christy, I have just come across a recording of your session with with Kirsty Young, – i dreamed i saw Joe Hill last night, he never died… we are both older now but we will never die… I love you Christy. your life is an inspiration to our young.. may you play and be heard forever…
Green Grows The Lily O
Right Among The Bushes O
I was in The Abbey in Chicago last night for the first time a a show for the first time since December ’97. The last show was something that I will never forget. I watched a man with an acoustic guitar and bodhran pour his heart and soul into a performance. I’ve never seen anyone sweat like that during a performance (especially during a Chicago winter). At the end of it, he looked like he should have been carried off the stage.
Last night I walked around the theater for a few minutes remembering where I stood for the show. I remembered the stories, the jokes and music. I have memories from that night of my friends who have moved away or are no longer with us.
As the three bands that we went to see last night performed, I was lost in my thoughts about that winter night eighteen years ago. Much of it seemed like yesterday, but yet so long ago. So many great memories.
Thank you Christy.
Thanks TQ…that defines the year of my last visit…I was never quite sure… I remember snow and a difficult journey home..greetings to all linnets and listeners in the Windy City