It was cold and wet in these parts today, the weather creating a mood in keeping with the day that was in it. We’re eight hours behind here, and I was awake early to follow the funeral. Earlier in the night, when I couldn’t sleep, I looked out to see a single star in the dark sky and imagined it was Martin, still shining as brightly in death as he did in life and looking out for all of us.
What a great man and what a legacy. Gerry was right when he talked in his oration about the media and their scurrilous attempts to discredit. The usual outlets have been at it all week, and still are, dragging out the usual suspects in an attempt to malign a good man. I thought about your song, “Scallcrows.”
The last time I saw Martin was at the Easter commemoration last year (the April one). He was at the head of the “Reclaim” parade, marching along, smiling away and looking healthy. Little did we know.
The people of Derry and beyond gave Martin a great send-off today. Christy, your rendition at the graveside was a heart- wrenching and fitting end to a dignified and beautiful funeral.
The sky is still crying outside and I’m still crying inside.
Christy's reply
Thinking again of Martin….I feel a smile coming on…
Thank you for singing at Martin’s funeral today, it was poignant and moving. Patsy and Peggy O’Hara were there in spirit too, I’m sure. Yourself and Martin are two people I have admired and looked up to my whole life. Keep on singing Christy – I think McGuinness deserves a song of his own!
very special tribute …..beautiful, emotional, perfect. Felt like you sang it from us all…… Thanks Christy.
Christy's reply
Marty,…..it was a great priviledge to sing today at Martin’s graveside…I was inside the Church for 2 hours with his family,neighbours and friends, with his Comrades,Pals,Buttys, Volunteers, Presidents past and present, Taoiseachs past and present, TDs MEPs MLAs Senators, Ministers,Clergy,Holy men and Roly Poly men…and I sat there reflecting upon all the times I met Martin, all the different situations, gigs, meetings, fundraisers,rallys mostly in earlier days…. I remembered sitting backstage with him at a Bloody Sunday Commemoration Concert in the old Rialto…him and his (then) young Sons….in Chamberlain St after a Smash H Block Concert the night I first heard “Back Home in Derry” in The Burlington in Dublin at an awards function…no matter where it was Martin never changed…the gentle word, the soft smile, the bit of banter…….
I sat there today and invoked all I could call upon to help me sing that song for his Family….that I could do it without faltering….and I had the very thought that you expressed…that I was singing the song on behalf of all of us….
I will never forget this day….there is something in the air….
Hi Christy, My parents were born in Ireland (Skerries & Dublin) and my uncle introduced me to your music on a previous trip to Ireland. I am returning in May with family and we are coming to your show at The Landmark on May 13. I am so excited to see you and share this time with my uncle as his health has declined. I lost both my parents, and life is short, so happy to check seeing you in concert off my bucket list! Love and best wishes from this California girl!
Christy's reply
Safe journey home..hope your Uncle has revived good health
Ya know Christy when I see your comments on Shane and and others.. just for thought.. if ya want to see her pain and suffering look at those like Shane..not in a disrespectful way.. but the ole soul and pain of her.. her meaning Ireland of suffering its in Shane and others who carry and have gift to be able to tap into it of how she cries out.. only those who understand can begin to know.. the great writers like Christy Shane tap into what few fail to hear
When midnight comes and travellers homeward tread
Seek now your blanket and your feather bed
Home comes the rover his journeys over
Yield up the night time to old John o dreams
Martin RIP
A sad day fir Derry is right John…a sad day for us an’ all.
Martin McGuinness RIP (with respect to Luka…poetic license)
No matter where your traveling takes you
Sure the Bogside will never leave you
Some people look for God above
Down in the Bogside you found love
Sad day fir Derry tomorrow with funerals of the Derry City captain and Martin McGuinness. Much written these days but my head is filled with the lines” Only the very safe, can talk about wrong and right, Of those who are forced to choose, Some will choose to fight” Hopefully we are well on the road to peace. RIP to all our dead
Christy's reply
Martin’s Legacy is a Peaceful one…that we all might embrace it
Christy Thank you for your reply… as we say in the west ‘your on the ball’ If your up for the Radio telephone interview on Fri 31st live on my’ Good Morning show’ I will contact your management and see what is convenient for you. I appreciate you have to take care of your enchanting voice while n tour.
Slainte Catherine
Hi Christy Looking forward to seeing you in The Town Hall Theatre here in Claremorris in a few weeks.
I’m Catherine, Broadcaster in CCR94.6FM in Town Hall. I present the Good Morning Show on Fridays 9 -11am http://www.ccr946.ie
I would like to offer you the opportunity for a telephone interview on Friday morning 31st March, any time between 9.45 – 10.45 A 10 min relaxed chat about your music.. especially your Knock Airport song.. Great anticipation in the community for your upcoming concert here. Look Forward to hearing from you Christy. In the meantime best of luck and continued success.
Catherine
Christy's reply
Thanks Catherine..lovely to hear from you and thank you for offering me the opportunity….not so sure about “especially the Knock Airport Song”..its 33 years since I first sang that…..the good listeners at CCR94.6FM might think, “jasus is that auld bollicks ever gonna sing about anything else”
last years album had at least one new song with a Mayo connection…
I dont have my schedule yet for Mar 31st but I do know I will be in Athlone that night (albeit on the Leinster side of the River) ..looking forward to Claremorris..really enjoyed the beautiful venue on my first visit…great memories of playing concerts in Claremorris for the late legendary Andy Creighton R.I.P. Anyone remember the Claremorris Ham Festival ?
Any plans for a gig over this direction in the near future? Birmingham/Nottingham/Leicester/Coventry would be sure sell-outs 🙂
Daniel
Christy's reply
If all goes well , I hope to play one of those towns in Spring 2018 ……..looking back on the 1968 diary I played them all in one week…O the energy of youth !
CM (71)
I just wanted to share a story about Martin MC guiness .He was one time in Connemara and in my dads Galway hooker.He was given the job to work the jib.they sailed out on great mans bay .When the boat came a shore he climbed up onto the pier and turned back put his hand down to shake my dad’s hand.my dad told him he was doing very good job where he was in stormont.Martin smiled and said to dad “you are very good at what you do aswell”.
He said he would be back again to do some fishing.but sadly he never made it.
CS (12)
Love your rendition of “Duffy’s Cut” you really do justice to those poor railroad workers. I live not far from Malvern and have ancestors that lived in Naas, So it was a amazing connection when I heard you do the song. Thank You
Christy's reply
Written by my good Companero Wally Page, “Duffy’s Cut “is a great song to sing…always good to get some feedback…….heard Wally sing it himself recently …..on the back of your post I’m going to get it into the set more often…starting this week-end in Clones and Tullamore..greetings to Malvern Valley…..sang it in Naas recently,maybe to some of your distant cousins
Thank you, Christy.
agus tú féin freisin
It was cold and wet in these parts today, the weather creating a mood in keeping with the day that was in it. We’re eight hours behind here, and I was awake early to follow the funeral. Earlier in the night, when I couldn’t sleep, I looked out to see a single star in the dark sky and imagined it was Martin, still shining as brightly in death as he did in life and looking out for all of us.
What a great man and what a legacy. Gerry was right when he talked in his oration about the media and their scurrilous attempts to discredit. The usual outlets have been at it all week, and still are, dragging out the usual suspects in an attempt to malign a good man. I thought about your song, “Scallcrows.”
The last time I saw Martin was at the Easter commemoration last year (the April one). He was at the head of the “Reclaim” parade, marching along, smiling away and looking healthy. Little did we know.
The people of Derry and beyond gave Martin a great send-off today. Christy, your rendition at the graveside was a heart- wrenching and fitting end to a dignified and beautiful funeral.
The sky is still crying outside and I’m still crying inside.
Thinking again of Martin….I feel a smile coming on…
Lovely and fitting rendition at Martin’s funeral.
The Derry Air
Thank you for singing at Martin’s funeral today, it was poignant and moving. Patsy and Peggy O’Hara were there in spirit too, I’m sure. Yourself and Martin are two people I have admired and looked up to my whole life. Keep on singing Christy – I think McGuinness deserves a song of his own!
So Do I…but it needs to be a good one
Dear Christy,,,, you always raise our spirits,,, give us hope in Humanity,,, by your integrity and honesty,,, Beir bua agus beannacht go deo,,, H
we are all in this together….some come, some go, some stay and the collective stays afloat as we sail towards the shore….thank you for all you do
very special tribute …..beautiful, emotional, perfect. Felt like you sang it from us all…… Thanks Christy.
Marty,…..it was a great priviledge to sing today at Martin’s graveside…I was inside the Church for 2 hours with his family,neighbours and friends, with his Comrades,Pals,Buttys, Volunteers, Presidents past and present, Taoiseachs past and present, TDs MEPs MLAs Senators, Ministers,Clergy,Holy men and Roly Poly men…and I sat there reflecting upon all the times I met Martin, all the different situations, gigs, meetings, fundraisers,rallys mostly in earlier days…. I remembered sitting backstage with him at a Bloody Sunday Commemoration Concert in the old Rialto…him and his (then) young Sons….in Chamberlain St after a Smash H Block Concert the night I first heard “Back Home in Derry” in The Burlington in Dublin at an awards function…no matter where it was Martin never changed…the gentle word, the soft smile, the bit of banter…….
I sat there today and invoked all I could call upon to help me sing that song for his Family….that I could do it without faltering….and I had the very thought that you expressed…that I was singing the song on behalf of all of us….
I will never forget this day….there is something in the air….
Christy, you did Martin so proud today in Derry. No better a song or finer a singer could there have been. It was beautiful.
Thank you Kevin
Beautiful send off for Martin today Christy.
Thank You Maureen
Hi Christy, My parents were born in Ireland (Skerries & Dublin) and my uncle introduced me to your music on a previous trip to Ireland. I am returning in May with family and we are coming to your show at The Landmark on May 13. I am so excited to see you and share this time with my uncle as his health has declined. I lost both my parents, and life is short, so happy to check seeing you in concert off my bucket list! Love and best wishes from this California girl!
Safe journey home..hope your Uncle has revived good health
Ya know Christy when I see your comments on Shane and and others.. just for thought.. if ya want to see her pain and suffering look at those like Shane..not in a disrespectful way.. but the ole soul and pain of her.. her meaning Ireland of suffering its in Shane and others who carry and have gift to be able to tap into it of how she cries out.. only those who understand can begin to know.. the great writers like Christy Shane tap into what few fail to hear
there you have it
When midnight comes and travellers homeward tread
Seek now your blanket and your feather bed
Home comes the rover his journeys over
Yield up the night time to old John o dreams
Martin RIP
Morra Igg
A sad day fir Derry is right John…a sad day for us an’ all.
Martin McGuinness RIP (with respect to Luka…poetic license)
No matter where your traveling takes you
Sure the Bogside will never leave you
Some people look for God above
Down in the Bogside you found love
Sad day fir Derry tomorrow with funerals of the Derry City captain and Martin McGuinness. Much written these days but my head is filled with the lines” Only the very safe, can talk about wrong and right, Of those who are forced to choose, Some will choose to fight” Hopefully we are well on the road to peace. RIP to all our dead
Martin’s Legacy is a Peaceful one…that we all might embrace it
Christy Thank you for your reply… as we say in the west ‘your on the ball’ If your up for the Radio telephone interview on Fri 31st live on my’ Good Morning show’ I will contact your management and see what is convenient for you. I appreciate you have to take care of your enchanting voice while n tour.
Slainte Catherine
Would love to see ya Christy write something for Martin
and so would I Michael, and so would I….
Hi Christy Looking forward to seeing you in The Town Hall Theatre here in Claremorris in a few weeks.
I’m Catherine, Broadcaster in CCR94.6FM in Town Hall. I present the Good Morning Show on Fridays 9 -11am http://www.ccr946.ie
I would like to offer you the opportunity for a telephone interview on Friday morning 31st March, any time between 9.45 – 10.45 A 10 min relaxed chat about your music.. especially your Knock Airport song.. Great anticipation in the community for your upcoming concert here. Look Forward to hearing from you Christy. In the meantime best of luck and continued success.
Catherine
Thanks Catherine..lovely to hear from you and thank you for offering me the opportunity….not so sure about “especially the Knock Airport Song”..its 33 years since I first sang that…..the good listeners at CCR94.6FM might think, “jasus is that auld bollicks ever gonna sing about anything else”
last years album had at least one new song with a Mayo connection…
I dont have my schedule yet for Mar 31st but I do know I will be in Athlone that night (albeit on the Leinster side of the River) ..looking forward to Claremorris..really enjoyed the beautiful venue on my first visit…great memories of playing concerts in Claremorris for the late legendary Andy Creighton R.I.P. Anyone remember the Claremorris Ham Festival ?
I’ve written a humorous song that I think might suit you Christy! It takes the p..s out of health insurance.
these days he is concentrating more on taking the piss out of himself and hum…us songs
Hi Christy
Any plans for a gig over this direction in the near future? Birmingham/Nottingham/Leicester/Coventry would be sure sell-outs 🙂
Daniel
If all goes well , I hope to play one of those towns in Spring 2018 ……..looking back on the 1968 diary I played them all in one week…O the energy of youth !
CM (71)
I just wanted to share a story about Martin MC guiness .He was one time in Connemara and in my dads Galway hooker.He was given the job to work the jib.they sailed out on great mans bay .When the boat came a shore he climbed up onto the pier and turned back put his hand down to shake my dad’s hand.my dad told him he was doing very good job where he was in stormont.Martin smiled and said to dad “you are very good at what you do aswell”.
He said he would be back again to do some fishing.but sadly he never made it.
CS (12)
Freedom Fighter, Statesman, Friend……R.I.P.
Love your rendition of “Duffy’s Cut” you really do justice to those poor railroad workers. I live not far from Malvern and have ancestors that lived in Naas, So it was a amazing connection when I heard you do the song. Thank You
Written by my good Companero Wally Page, “Duffy’s Cut “is a great song to sing…always good to get some feedback…….heard Wally sing it himself recently …..on the back of your post I’m going to get it into the set more often…starting this week-end in Clones and Tullamore..greetings to Malvern Valley…..sang it in Naas recently,maybe to some of your distant cousins