Christy, To you on Poetry Day – my translation of one of Icelands most beautiful songs Tvær Stjörnur – Two Stars:
Song and Icelandic lyrics: Magnús Þór Jónsson
English lyrics: Jónína Björg Magnúsdóttir
Time is fastly flowing and I´m dragging on behind
it´s not within my power where it leads me, or my mind
I surely hope it sends to me some thoughts of kindness through
Until I find the narrow path that leads me back to you
A chain of gold I gave you once and asked to kindly wear
To protect you and to gide you and to keep you from all fear
And in your eyes as deep as wells, I was buried for some time
And dearly hoped that there I´d stay and you´d be surely mine.
Many things are bothering, but it is not the waiting
cause the dusty shelfs are showing me that I´ve done nothing lately
with my finger I am writing words that to me have a meaning
my night is dark and lonely and at day the walls are screaming
your face of light brown makeup, I keep within my soul
painted eybrows, cherry lipstick, a smile of solid gold
and all the things I like the best are those who are for free
and then I have to pay a prize for what is worst to me
I miss you in the morning, not to have you here beside me
And I miss you in the daytime when the sun is here to guide me
And I miss you in the evening when the lines of darkness fall
But I miss you most at night my friend when shadows start to call
Then I raise my head up to the sky and see that we are close
Two stars on a dark blue lining, like a velvet rose
Of every waking hour I your image dearly keep
But when I close my eyes at night I meet you in my sleep.
Hi All, seeing as there are no gigs this week and seeing as tomorrow is Poetry Day, I ‘d like to share this poem by Michael Coady in praise of music,,, https://youtu.be/1-LjviV9pg4 Beir bua agus beannacht, H
hi christy,i was so sad to hear bout jimmy f.what a guitarist.on lighter note my sr in law will be celebratin her b day with her daughters aisling and aoife in brum concert.she d be x rakish p customer too.t would be great if you give them a mention.we ll be in sligo on saturday.my own cork city are in town that nite but you won.c u there
I’ve been a fan for too many years and you been a soundtrack from early days spending my summers in Kilcullen to later life in Manchester.
I’ll be attending the Manchester gig in May with my wife who is now a lifelong fan and I wonder if you could make room on your set for ‘Beeswing’ for it was that song that drew my wife Vicky into your music.
In fact the whole family is ‘christy mad’ and at my wedding when we had the readings, my sister surprised me by reading the lyrics your song “the Voyage” , beautiful
Hi Christy
We came to see you in Navan last year on the Saturday 10 June 2017 and we had a fantastic evening. It was the 3rd time we had seen you play (Manchester &York too), and wont be the last.
We had asked for a request which you very kindly played for us (Bees Wing – we love that one.. brings tears to my eyes) and you mentioned our names too. You were fantastic as always, and we had wanted to see you in Ireland (we love Ireland too).
I was wondering whether that concert had been recorded, and whether I might be able to obtain a copy for my husband’s birthday? He would be extatic… it would make his day. Is this possible? How would I go about it?
HI CHRISTY,I WAS WITH MY MY WIFE LIZ AND SON IN LAW STEW WHO HAS BEEN IN TOUCH.WAS IN FRONT ROW WITH WHEELCHAIR IN LANDMARK.WE USED TO SEE YOU IN RAKISH PADDY(FARRELLS).I REMBER Y OU WITH JIMMY FAULKNER,KEVIN BURKE AND DECLAN MCNELIS WHO HAS LEFT US.WHERES JIMMY NOW?GREAT LIN UP EQUALED BY YOUR PRESENT BAND.IT WAS A GREAT CONCERT IN CARRICK.SONGS I HAVENT HEARD IN AGES INCLUDE LAWLESS,CASEY AND THE STARDUST SONG.IT WOULD BE BRILL TO HEAR 1 OF THESE IN SLIGO IN JUNE.RIDE ON.JOHN MAC
Christy's reply
Good Man John..
that Landmark in Carrick is some lively spot… Stags, Hens ,Weddings and Gigs all under the same roof at the same time..yet it all works..we had a good night ourselves in Lovely Leitrim..
its a while now since anyone has mentioned Rakish Paddy’s in Lanesborough..it was one of my favourite venues back in earlier times…Peter and Luke were great hosts and I often saw the dawn after playing there….
Sorry to say that my good friend Jimmy Faulkner died 10 years ago…I think of him often..we travelled a long road together…..met Kevin Burke in Dublin two years back , he is still to the good and making the music..which night are you coming to Sligo ?
Dear Christy,
Hope all is well and you’re enjoying Spring.
All things come to an end and so we are back home again after a four-week journey. Again we had a marvellous time in your Motherland and it wasn’t easy to make our farewells, but we are grateful for all the lovely experiences.
From Bantry Bay to Clew Bay and to the rolling hills of Cavan we followed your songs – the Highlight of our holiday! MÍLE MAITH AGAT for the Magic Nights to you, your musical Companeros and all the Crew!!!
As much as we loved to hear you and Declan as a Duo we later enjoyed your gorgeous Orchestra completed by Cathal and Jimmy – very different gigs but each one was absolutely wonderful! Though it was a pleasure to listen to all your songs I especially appreciated the seldom played gems “So do I”, “Only Our Rivers” and “Metropolitan Avenue”. Glad, your Sat Nav was successful … a very special DANKESCHOEN for singing Noel Brazil’s beautiful song for us! I also liked your new song “Pagan Ritual” but it would be good to have the lyrics for a non-native speaker.
Thanks again for four incredible gigs and enchanting memories!
Very best wishes, Traudel
Christy's reply
Lots of Rain here to keep the worms ( and birds) happy
thank you for your feedback on the gigs….
we are having a two week break now as we prepare to set sail for England….unlike bygone days, 4 concerts in England now constitutes a Foreign Tour….
I like when songs come floating back from years ago…some of the young listeners will not have heard them before
Hi Christy,
I was waiting for a chance to hear you live for about 10 years. Finally, I’ll have the pleasure listen to your music at Birmingham concert in May. There’re so many songs I wish to hear, but I hope you’ll play ‘Missing You’. It’s a beautiful song that really means to me much and I love your passion and energy when you play it… I’ll probably cry my eyes out, as always when I listening to it.
Looking forward to a magical evening in Brum!
All the best, Tamara
Christy's reply
“Missing You” has been a constant in the set list for manys the year…doubtless it will feature in Birmingham….the song has a particular personal significance for me in that city….
also its where I learned “Barr na Sráide” from Michael Hipkiss, “The Old Man’s Song” from Ian Cambell, “Windy Edinburgh Town” from Bob Cooney….nearby I heard “John of Dreams” from Bill Caddick, “Hey Sandi” from Dave Cartwright …every Town holds precious memories of songs once sung….I think of Lorna Cambell, Tommy Dempsey, John Swift, The Munstermen,Dave Phillips…
Good evening Christy,
Just a quick note, there is a duplicate of your facebook page messaging people. Have reported it my side but just a note to the listeners just be cautious and report.
Thanks,
Aisling
Christy's reply
Thank you Aisling…I hope it has been sorted..if you find its still there please let me know..
A nice surprise on this Record Store Day to discover that my vinyl copy of On The Road had arrived in the post! That’s this evening’s listening sorted out…..
Christy's reply
Must admit, I’m buzzed up a bit myself to have a new Vinyl release….I have cherished memories of my early Vinyl years….both as a listener and singer….. Elvis and Buddy, a bit of Ella and South Pacific before those first Clancy albums arrived from America…
long before that hearing Count John McCormack on my Grand-Uncle Frank’s wind-up phonogram…
“I Hear You Calling” and ” Mavourneen ” “Wild Irish Rose” still resound 65 years on…
compared to downloads on an iPhone ? …dont think so,… no matter how good the head set
Looking forward to seeing you in a few weeks time in Birmingham, Christy. I first saw you under the Marquee in Cork last July- I finished my school life only a few weeks before and it was a wonderful night and an amazing experience to have before heading off to university in Belfast.
Depending on how the night unfolds it’d be lovely to hear ‘magic nights in the lobby bar’ if you get chance to fit it in.
See you again in Birmingham,
Alex
Christy's reply
Another beautiful song from the poetic hand of John Spillane….it slips in and out of the set…your request is timely… Magic Nights deserves renewal….John is below there in Passage,County Cork,As per usual,he will be beavering away in the Hit Factory. This time (he tells me), he is hard-at-it as he puts the finishing touches to his forthcoming Opera. We hope to attend the debut.
John does things his own way like. We were all enchanted by his debut album. His gigs always a treat,his “Gortatagort” is in my Top Ten of all time.”Magic Nights” is well up there too.
It reminds me of a night in my own life 50 years ago. I spent an entire night (in a wardrobe) listening to a small transistor radio. Every song I ever loved came on that all night radio show. On and on it went until I succumbed to the arms of Morpheus.
Imagine my surprise upon hearing that thon Radio had not worked for years….had neither flex nor battery…
“my heart was delighted when i went singing through the fairs all the time” margaret barry from that album, which is a wonderful mix of songs and interviews. jeez i wish i could sing………
Christy's reply
anyone who likes Margaret Barry….get your hands on an album called “Speech Project” by Gerry Divers….one of my favourite albums for manys the year….it features Margaret in a way never heard before..also tracks by Joe Cooley, Shane McGowan, Danny Meehan, Martin Hayes, Damo Dempsey and,among others,yours truly….
occasionally an artist will come along with a whole new concept of marrying words and music…Gerry Divers is one such
ps..by the way Rory, of course you CAN sing, everyone can sing…
sing for yourself irrespective of what others might think…
sing free like a bird in the air celebrating the arrival of Spring…
Imagine you are singing your favourite song to yourself, thats always a good start
Christy, To you on Poetry Day – my translation of one of Icelands most beautiful songs Tvær Stjörnur – Two Stars:
Song and Icelandic lyrics: Magnús Þór Jónsson
English lyrics: Jónína Björg Magnúsdóttir
Time is fastly flowing and I´m dragging on behind
it´s not within my power where it leads me, or my mind
I surely hope it sends to me some thoughts of kindness through
Until I find the narrow path that leads me back to you
A chain of gold I gave you once and asked to kindly wear
To protect you and to gide you and to keep you from all fear
And in your eyes as deep as wells, I was buried for some time
And dearly hoped that there I´d stay and you´d be surely mine.
Many things are bothering, but it is not the waiting
cause the dusty shelfs are showing me that I´ve done nothing lately
with my finger I am writing words that to me have a meaning
my night is dark and lonely and at day the walls are screaming
your face of light brown makeup, I keep within my soul
painted eybrows, cherry lipstick, a smile of solid gold
and all the things I like the best are those who are for free
and then I have to pay a prize for what is worst to me
I miss you in the morning, not to have you here beside me
And I miss you in the daytime when the sun is here to guide me
And I miss you in the evening when the lines of darkness fall
But I miss you most at night my friend when shadows start to call
Then I raise my head up to the sky and see that we are close
Two stars on a dark blue lining, like a velvet rose
Of every waking hour I your image dearly keep
But when I close my eyes at night I meet you in my sleep.
Hi All, seeing as there are no gigs this week and seeing as tomorrow is Poetry Day, I ‘d like to share this poem by Michael Coady in praise of music,,, https://youtu.be/1-LjviV9pg4 Beir bua agus beannacht, H
hi christy,i was so sad to hear bout jimmy f.what a guitarist.on lighter note my sr in law will be celebratin her b day with her daughters aisling and aoife in brum concert.she d be x rakish p customer too.t would be great if you give them a mention.we ll be in sligo on saturday.my own cork city are in town that nite but you won.c u there
Hi Christy,
I’ve been a fan for too many years and you been a soundtrack from early days spending my summers in Kilcullen to later life in Manchester.
I’ll be attending the Manchester gig in May with my wife who is now a lifelong fan and I wonder if you could make room on your set for ‘Beeswing’ for it was that song that drew my wife Vicky into your music.
In fact the whole family is ‘christy mad’ and at my wedding when we had the readings, my sister surprised me by reading the lyrics your song “the Voyage” , beautiful
Thank you in advance.
Rob
Hi Christy
We came to see you in Navan last year on the Saturday 10 June 2017 and we had a fantastic evening. It was the 3rd time we had seen you play (Manchester &York too), and wont be the last.
We had asked for a request which you very kindly played for us (Bees Wing – we love that one.. brings tears to my eyes) and you mentioned our names too. You were fantastic as always, and we had wanted to see you in Ireland (we love Ireland too).
I was wondering whether that concert had been recorded, and whether I might be able to obtain a copy for my husband’s birthday? He would be extatic… it would make his day. Is this possible? How would I go about it?
HI CHRISTY,I WAS WITH MY MY WIFE LIZ AND SON IN LAW STEW WHO HAS BEEN IN TOUCH.WAS IN FRONT ROW WITH WHEELCHAIR IN LANDMARK.WE USED TO SEE YOU IN RAKISH PADDY(FARRELLS).I REMBER Y OU WITH JIMMY FAULKNER,KEVIN BURKE AND DECLAN MCNELIS WHO HAS LEFT US.WHERES JIMMY NOW?GREAT LIN UP EQUALED BY YOUR PRESENT BAND.IT WAS A GREAT CONCERT IN CARRICK.SONGS I HAVENT HEARD IN AGES INCLUDE LAWLESS,CASEY AND THE STARDUST SONG.IT WOULD BE BRILL TO HEAR 1 OF THESE IN SLIGO IN JUNE.RIDE ON.JOHN MAC
Good Man John..
that Landmark in Carrick is some lively spot… Stags, Hens ,Weddings and Gigs all under the same roof at the same time..yet it all works..we had a good night ourselves in Lovely Leitrim..
its a while now since anyone has mentioned Rakish Paddy’s in Lanesborough..it was one of my favourite venues back in earlier times…Peter and Luke were great hosts and I often saw the dawn after playing there….
Sorry to say that my good friend Jimmy Faulkner died 10 years ago…I think of him often..we travelled a long road together…..met Kevin Burke in Dublin two years back , he is still to the good and making the music..which night are you coming to Sligo ?
Dear Christy,
Hope all is well and you’re enjoying Spring.
All things come to an end and so we are back home again after a four-week journey. Again we had a marvellous time in your Motherland and it wasn’t easy to make our farewells, but we are grateful for all the lovely experiences.
From Bantry Bay to Clew Bay and to the rolling hills of Cavan we followed your songs – the Highlight of our holiday! MÍLE MAITH AGAT for the Magic Nights to you, your musical Companeros and all the Crew!!!
As much as we loved to hear you and Declan as a Duo we later enjoyed your gorgeous Orchestra completed by Cathal and Jimmy – very different gigs but each one was absolutely wonderful! Though it was a pleasure to listen to all your songs I especially appreciated the seldom played gems “So do I”, “Only Our Rivers” and “Metropolitan Avenue”. Glad, your Sat Nav was successful … a very special DANKESCHOEN for singing Noel Brazil’s beautiful song for us! I also liked your new song “Pagan Ritual” but it would be good to have the lyrics for a non-native speaker.
Thanks again for four incredible gigs and enchanting memories!
Very best wishes, Traudel
Lots of Rain here to keep the worms ( and birds) happy
thank you for your feedback on the gigs….
we are having a two week break now as we prepare to set sail for England….unlike bygone days, 4 concerts in England now constitutes a Foreign Tour….
I like when songs come floating back from years ago…some of the young listeners will not have heard them before
Hi Christy,
I was waiting for a chance to hear you live for about 10 years. Finally, I’ll have the pleasure listen to your music at Birmingham concert in May. There’re so many songs I wish to hear, but I hope you’ll play ‘Missing You’. It’s a beautiful song that really means to me much and I love your passion and energy when you play it… I’ll probably cry my eyes out, as always when I listening to it.
Looking forward to a magical evening in Brum!
All the best, Tamara
“Missing You” has been a constant in the set list for manys the year…doubtless it will feature in Birmingham….the song has a particular personal significance for me in that city….
also its where I learned “Barr na Sráide” from Michael Hipkiss, “The Old Man’s Song” from Ian Cambell, “Windy Edinburgh Town” from Bob Cooney….nearby I heard “John of Dreams” from Bill Caddick, “Hey Sandi” from Dave Cartwright …every Town holds precious memories of songs once sung….I think of Lorna Cambell, Tommy Dempsey, John Swift, The Munstermen,Dave Phillips…
Roll on Birmingham
Good evening Christy,
Just a quick note, there is a duplicate of your facebook page messaging people. Have reported it my side but just a note to the listeners just be cautious and report.
Thanks,
Aisling
Thank you Aisling…I hope it has been sorted..if you find its still there please let me know..
A nice surprise on this Record Store Day to discover that my vinyl copy of On The Road had arrived in the post! That’s this evening’s listening sorted out…..
Must admit, I’m buzzed up a bit myself to have a new Vinyl release….I have cherished memories of my early Vinyl years….both as a listener and singer….. Elvis and Buddy, a bit of Ella and South Pacific before those first Clancy albums arrived from America…
long before that hearing Count John McCormack on my Grand-Uncle Frank’s wind-up phonogram…
“I Hear You Calling” and ” Mavourneen ” “Wild Irish Rose” still resound 65 years on…
compared to downloads on an iPhone ? …dont think so,… no matter how good the head set
Looking forward to seeing you in a few weeks time in Birmingham, Christy. I first saw you under the Marquee in Cork last July- I finished my school life only a few weeks before and it was a wonderful night and an amazing experience to have before heading off to university in Belfast.
Depending on how the night unfolds it’d be lovely to hear ‘magic nights in the lobby bar’ if you get chance to fit it in.
See you again in Birmingham,
Alex
Another beautiful song from the poetic hand of John Spillane….it slips in and out of the set…your request is timely… Magic Nights deserves renewal….John is below there in Passage,County Cork,As per usual,he will be beavering away in the Hit Factory. This time (he tells me), he is hard-at-it as he puts the finishing touches to his forthcoming Opera. We hope to attend the debut.
John does things his own way like. We were all enchanted by his debut album. His gigs always a treat,his “Gortatagort” is in my Top Ten of all time.”Magic Nights” is well up there too.
It reminds me of a night in my own life 50 years ago. I spent an entire night (in a wardrobe) listening to a small transistor radio. Every song I ever loved came on that all night radio show. On and on it went until I succumbed to the arms of Morpheus.
Imagine my surprise upon hearing that thon Radio had not worked for years….had neither flex nor battery…
Twas a Magic Night for sure..
We’ll try and have it ready for Brum…..thank you
“my heart was delighted when i went singing through the fairs all the time” margaret barry from that album, which is a wonderful mix of songs and interviews. jeez i wish i could sing………
anyone who likes Margaret Barry….get your hands on an album called “Speech Project” by Gerry Divers….one of my favourite albums for manys the year….it features Margaret in a way never heard before..also tracks by Joe Cooley, Shane McGowan, Danny Meehan, Martin Hayes, Damo Dempsey and,among others,yours truly….
occasionally an artist will come along with a whole new concept of marrying words and music…Gerry Divers is one such
ps..by the way Rory, of course you CAN sing, everyone can sing…
sing for yourself irrespective of what others might think…
sing free like a bird in the air celebrating the arrival of Spring…
Imagine you are singing your favourite song to yourself, thats always a good start