I forgot to add, I would post the lyrics to Chicago, Iraq-by-the-Lake only if you give permission.
As for the Lightfoot interviews, Gordon freely states that the melody to The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald was from an Irish dirge he heard when he was about three years old. So yes, there is a wonderful circularity to Bobby Sand’s song. bllfng
It’s not a blunder to call Torquay people Cornish – maybe an unexpected compliment for them – but always best to floor it until the A30 crosses the Tamar.
Anyway, I’ve been listening to your Burning Times album and it’s great to hear a man singing appreciatively about women, and not just for the usual need to spawn etc. Meur ras!
Huge, huge fan of yours, of course!! Will you coming to America anytime soon! I know loads of us here would love to see you perform!
God bless!
Marnie
Christy's reply
Is it Marnie Reevey….or Ó Ríabhaig or Ní Ríabhaig ..
dont mind my curiosity..pay no heed!
probably wont be going Stateside again…flying just aint my cup of tea…had a few tours there in the 80s and 90s….played some great venues, big small and in between, had some good times…never made it to St Louis..great pity that….I heard its a good music town….greetings to all you songsters, linnets and listeners across the pond…
I am a Chinese American living in Chicago Chinatown, who grew up loving Irish music. I can sing Finnegan’s Wake with the best of them. No mystery, as Chicago has a huge Irish population. And now I am on a quest.
I have written a song about Chicago’s notorious summer time street shootings, patterned after Gordon Lightfoot’s (Irish Canadian) ‘The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.’ In researching copyright and licensing issues for the melody, I found that ‘Back Home in Derry’ — your song — had a melody that sounded very much like Lightfoot’s song.
Lightfoot said that the melody is actually an Irish dirge to which he fitted his lyrics. I can also say that I heard that dirge sung live by an Irish band here in Chicago about 25 years ago, SUNG IN GAELIC!
Now I am on a quest to track down the original Irish dirge. Can you point me in the right direction?
Bill from Chicago – Chinatown
Christy's reply
Bill,
“Back Home in Derry” was written by Bobby Sands. Bobby used to sing his lyric to the melody of Gordon Lightfoot’s “Wreck of The Edmund Fitzgerald” while interned in the H.Blocks of Long Kesh. He subsequently died there on Hunger Strike in May 1981.
In later years I heard that Gordon (reportedly) spoke of his melody being inspired by, or based upon, an old Irish melody…. if that be the case it, it gives a lovely circular bacground to Bobby’s great song..
However I have never heard any such old air..I can offer no further pointer except to say that there should not be any copyright issue….your lyric will be original, the melody traditional….
Hi ya Christy, hope ur enjoying your holidays, love the new chat always a great read. Cambridge was a great treat. wonderful day of music.
I say roll on Derry be nice to walk the walls again 🙂
All the best
Adam
Christy's reply
Cambridge was a great experence…..I’m glad that you were there Adam, that you enjoyed the great Festival…..my favourite performances were Chris Woods and Sam Lee….check them out on de tube..see you adup in Derry…perhaps around The Walls
It’s Sunny in Belfast and the stars are out tonight for the West Belfast Festival…
Mary Coughlan, Sharon Shannon and Frances Black in Clonard Monastery. Looking forward to the star that’s due to sparkle in the Waterfront
in September!
From mountain to mountains and
All that lies between
From Ballycastle in the North to the
coast of Skibbereen…
Mary
Would you ever consider a tour in Cornwall? It’s really beautiful here and about half the population’s feeling terrible because of Brexit. You and your music would improve everything no end. (Especially if you played Bright Blue Rose, one of the loveliest songs ever.)
Christy's reply
Although I played Caithness in 1968 I have yet to make it to Land’s End. About 10 years back I made an awful blunder. Starting a Concert in Torquay I mentioned how happy I was to be in Cornwall ! I soon got my comeuppance in no uncertain manner !
To play Cornwall is still on my wish list.
Was only just wondering do you ever get tired of hotel rooms n pine for your own mattress, n then u say ur off on holidays.well I hope u enjoy them as much as much as we enjoy ur thoughts, memories n songs……hope u packed jumpleads for the van……..
Christy's reply
Between 1966 and 1972 I never knew what the inside of a hotel looked like, I travelled with guitar and sleeping back.
Since then it has mainly been Hotels, Guest-houses or B&Bs. In the 70s I dossed for a few years in the back of a 404 Peugeot Diesel Van, in the 80s I had a Camper van for 3 years….
In recent times I have been spoiled and priviledged. As Jackson Frank used to sing”Me and room-service, we’re living a life of sin”
I take holidays in Nash near New Ross,in october-22 to 29 oct.-
and I would like come at your gig in Wexford 27th october,but it’s sold out
have you any plan to get 2 tickets,or 1
Thank’s so lot for your answer Christy
What a marvellous Chat you’ve treated us to again, Christy. It was a real treat to get the chance to learn about the different emotions and feelings performing the songs bring. Fascinating too to hear about the first times you felt the emotional experience of singing to people. It’s a real privilege to get this type of insight from you. You gave us an album to treasure in Lily and it’s one you’ve every right to reflect on with real pride.
Just to also say that tonight on Sky Arts, Part 2 of the highlights from Cambridge are being shown at 9.00pm (Part 1 is available On Demand and both parts are repeated on Saturday from 2.00pm). ‘His performance was instinctive, stirring and unquestionably divine’: yes, that just about sums up every concert of yours that I’ve had the pleasure of attending. Many thanks for taking the time to share this terrific Chat with us and for everything your music brings us.
Christy's reply
these “Chats” are mainly written when I’m on the road….they help occupy the time between gigs…time previously occupied “gadding” about like a blue-arsed fly !!
In recent years I tend to lie very low between gigs and I enjoy getting these “comms” together. Glad to know that they are read and enjoyed.Thanks Kevin.
You know, I was just watching Andy Irvine, Dony Lunny and Paul Brady in a 1976 performance on youtube. I am so taken aback, captured, entranced by their excellence. And it made me ponder. When one has been so successful in one’s life, I mean musically, I mean as a performer. What is old age like? Is it more of the same, or does something else happen? I guess it depends on one’s character and inner drive.
Christy's reply
Andy,Donal and Paul still follow their separate music journeys, their paths still crossing occasionally…I remember that peformance to which you refer…skilled passionate and artful stringing from The Embankment in Tallaght, then a bedrock of the Dublin folk music scene, (the entire audience chain smoking !)……..
With regard to your question and speaking only for myself…..life becomes more precious….with passing years each gig is approached carefully but once the lights go down the old spark ignites…one two three and away we go,
row-dill-dum-dee-dye-dill-diddley-eye-dill-dum-dee-doh (Sligo Maid)
How’s a going christy..
First of all congratulations on Lily. An absolute gem of an Album!! From the song choices the production, the lyrics, the sound, the sleeve. fecking brilliant. It’s the best irish (and international) album I listened too in years..
And it not just me that likes it. A friend of mine lives down in Chinatown and his dad asked could he have a listen to the song Lily? Now this man wouldn’t listen to neighbours dog bark! But he loved it. I had to buy another album for myself because I couldn’t ask him for it back after that. But that’s how good music gets around well done to you and all that put it all together. There will be awards to be picked up for this album…
I was only thinking today when i bought my first guitar in O’Neil’s on caple street the years of enjoyment I got out of it and still today I love hearing a new songs and thinking I’d love to sing that in con Cummins some night. Now I only play for myself but there is a song in us all that needs to come out now and again. At the moment I love Tony smalls mandolin mountain and he has another song called Galway I’m very fond of at this moment.
Thank you christy for introducing us to Tony small.
Enough about Work! Sarsfields won by 4 tonight after being 8 down in the first half.
But that is what champions do!
Moorefield are out tomorrow so I will keep you posted their progress but at the moment the deleney cup will saying in newbridge again this year. The newbridge teams look to strong for the rest of the county maybe we should join the two teams together!!!!!
Chat to you soon christy.
Christy's reply
What a grand burst of chat from the old home town……is there music in Con’s every night ?
great to get a good review from Chinatown….any one know how it got its name?
anyone else remember Rosy of Rosy’s Lane Fame ( she used to call me Christiford, God Rest Her Gentle Soul ) she would stand at Neesons Corner all day with a Woodbine if she had one… come closing time she’d keep nix for Hubert and let him know if the Guards were coming
Aint it awesome to see the facilites sported by both Moorefield and Sarsfield….60 years ago we used to “train”in the old Ropes Field
let me know when you sing Mandolin Mountain in Cummins’s
John Spillane is on in Booterstown on Thursday 25th August…tickets going steadily…anyone interested 0868659814, people travel from all over to see John . Thanks.
Christy's reply
in cars buses vans and trains,
with walkers bikers and hikers
paragliders and deep sea divers
resonators and impersonators
Roses Wrens and Rossies
Frankies Freds and Flossies
all heading for The Punch Bowl
to welcome the Cherry Blossom
Great chat again Christy, never have I come across anyone whose prose is so evocative. I’m encouraged to see Butterfly on your recent lists; hopefully you won’t have tired of it by the time you come back to Glasgow, it’s the one song of yours I’m desperate to hear you sing live. Enjoy your break.
Christy's reply
fair play to you John…if I make it back to Clydeside the Butterfly will appear……but I’ll need a wee nudge closer to the time…hope all is well in Motherwell
Another wonderful chat Christy,enyoyed reading the happenings of the never ending tour. I note “Rory is gone” made an appearance in the Jazz cub, one of my old favourites…….
Enjoy the break.
Ride on
Patsy
Morning Christy, how lovely to wake to read your chat, I can always hear your voice as I read and it’s brilliant to hear your recollections. The three of us are up in Cumbria for a wedding in the town I spent a large part of my youth, memories abound, while Tallulah (now 16) is at Rebellion Punk Festival in Blackpool. The times they are a’ hanging, but we go with the flow. Wishing you a wonderful break and hopefully we’ll get to see you agai soon. Be safe and well. Love from us all.
Christy's reply
used to play a great circuit of clubs there back in the 60s…Whitehaven, Windermere,Cockermouth, Troutbeck,Barrow, Egremont, Carlisle and maybe a few others…. old 1956 VW Beetle,guitar,sleeping bag and me, trundling from Town to Town as “happy as Larry”
hope ye have a good time, that Tallulah rocks Blackpool
Hi Christy, As a Newbridge family, we have seen you many times locally and continue to enjoy your music and performances in Ireland. We were at Cambridge Folk Festival last week and thought you were magic! Great selection of songs, presented with confidence and gusto – where I was in the marquee, the audience were with you all the way. It was a wonderful evening – thanks for the memories.
Christy's reply
What a great buzz in that Cambridge Tent….I recall the Marquees of years ago, hearing Brendan Bowyer with The Royal Showband,Butch Moore withThe Capitol, Derek Dean with The Freshmen, dancing the night away, dreaming and fantasizing…fifty years on its like a dream come true, alongside Seamie, Declan and Jimmy as we take the stage to a Marquee full of excitement with lights and Mikes and TV cameras and thousands listeners young, old and in between, of every race colour and creed, leppin and listenin, willing us on, raising our game to meet the expectation…..I’m like that 16 year old in Dreamland,Athy,County Kildare all those years ago, buckin around to The Paragon Seven, to Joe Mac and The Dixies……what a buzz…
One review in The Daily Telegraph wrote that the real stars at The Cambridge Festival are The Audience …I concur with that 100%
So you are “Newbridge Pat”….come tell me more!!….are you Hawkfield or Kilbelin, Chinatown or Rosies Lane ??….are we neighbours or townies or whats the story ??…I baled out in 1963 but I left one foot in the door, I’ve always got an ear for Droichead Nua, Pairc Mhuire, The Rathfield, always an eye on Moorefield, Sarsfield,Front Street, Back Street and all those loving lanes
Thanks for sharing and best wishes to you and yours, whoever you are, wherever you may be…
Christy –
I forgot to add, I would post the lyrics to Chicago, Iraq-by-the-Lake only if you give permission.
As for the Lightfoot interviews, Gordon freely states that the melody to The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald was from an Irish dirge he heard when he was about three years old. So yes, there is a wonderful circularity to Bobby Sand’s song. bllfng
It’s not a blunder to call Torquay people Cornish – maybe an unexpected compliment for them – but always best to floor it until the A30 crosses the Tamar.
Anyway, I’ve been listening to your Burning Times album and it’s great to hear a man singing appreciatively about women, and not just for the usual need to spawn etc. Meur ras!
Christy any plans on playing in Scotland in the near future ?? Up Donegal and the Lilly whites
Dear Christy,
Huge, huge fan of yours, of course!! Will you coming to America anytime soon! I know loads of us here would love to see you perform!
God bless!
Marnie
Is it Marnie Reevey….or Ó Ríabhaig or Ní Ríabhaig ..
dont mind my curiosity..pay no heed!
probably wont be going Stateside again…flying just aint my cup of tea…had a few tours there in the 80s and 90s….played some great venues, big small and in between, had some good times…never made it to St Louis..great pity that….I heard its a good music town….greetings to all you songsters, linnets and listeners across the pond…
Hello, Christy Moore –
I am a Chinese American living in Chicago Chinatown, who grew up loving Irish music. I can sing Finnegan’s Wake with the best of them. No mystery, as Chicago has a huge Irish population. And now I am on a quest.
I have written a song about Chicago’s notorious summer time street shootings, patterned after Gordon Lightfoot’s (Irish Canadian) ‘The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.’ In researching copyright and licensing issues for the melody, I found that ‘Back Home in Derry’ — your song — had a melody that sounded very much like Lightfoot’s song.
Lightfoot said that the melody is actually an Irish dirge to which he fitted his lyrics. I can also say that I heard that dirge sung live by an Irish band here in Chicago about 25 years ago, SUNG IN GAELIC!
Now I am on a quest to track down the original Irish dirge. Can you point me in the right direction?
Bill from Chicago – Chinatown
Bill,
“Back Home in Derry” was written by Bobby Sands. Bobby used to sing his lyric to the melody of Gordon Lightfoot’s “Wreck of The Edmund Fitzgerald” while interned in the H.Blocks of Long Kesh. He subsequently died there on Hunger Strike in May 1981.
In later years I heard that Gordon (reportedly) spoke of his melody being inspired by, or based upon, an old Irish melody…. if that be the case it, it gives a lovely circular bacground to Bobby’s great song..
However I have never heard any such old air..I can offer no further pointer except to say that there should not be any copyright issue….your lyric will be original, the melody traditional….
“O Thunderin Jaysus do ye think I’m Dead”
Hi ya Christy, hope ur enjoying your holidays, love the new chat always a great read. Cambridge was a great treat. wonderful day of music.
I say roll on Derry be nice to walk the walls again 🙂
All the best
Adam
Cambridge was a great experence…..I’m glad that you were there Adam, that you enjoyed the great Festival…..my favourite performances were Chris Woods and Sam Lee….check them out on de tube..see you adup in Derry…perhaps around The Walls
It’s Sunny in Belfast and the stars are out tonight for the West Belfast Festival…
Mary Coughlan, Sharon Shannon and Frances Black in Clonard Monastery. Looking forward to the star that’s due to sparkle in the Waterfront
in September!
From mountain to mountains and
All that lies between
From Ballycastle in the North to the
coast of Skibbereen…
Mary
Hope all goes well…
Would you ever consider a tour in Cornwall? It’s really beautiful here and about half the population’s feeling terrible because of Brexit. You and your music would improve everything no end. (Especially if you played Bright Blue Rose, one of the loveliest songs ever.)
Although I played Caithness in 1968 I have yet to make it to Land’s End. About 10 years back I made an awful blunder. Starting a Concert in Torquay I mentioned how happy I was to be in Cornwall ! I soon got my comeuppance in no uncertain manner !
To play Cornwall is still on my wish list.
Was only just wondering do you ever get tired of hotel rooms n pine for your own mattress, n then u say ur off on holidays.well I hope u enjoy them as much as much as we enjoy ur thoughts, memories n songs……hope u packed jumpleads for the van……..
Between 1966 and 1972 I never knew what the inside of a hotel looked like, I travelled with guitar and sleeping back.
Since then it has mainly been Hotels, Guest-houses or B&Bs. In the 70s I dossed for a few years in the back of a 404 Peugeot Diesel Van, in the 80s I had a Camper van for 3 years….
In recent times I have been spoiled and priviledged. As Jackson Frank used to sing”Me and room-service, we’re living a life of sin”
There is no place like Home.
I take holidays in Nash near New Ross,in october-22 to 29 oct.-
and I would like come at your gig in Wexford 27th october,but it’s sold out
have you any plan to get 2 tickets,or 1
Thank’s so lot for your answer Christy
David
What a marvellous Chat you’ve treated us to again, Christy. It was a real treat to get the chance to learn about the different emotions and feelings performing the songs bring. Fascinating too to hear about the first times you felt the emotional experience of singing to people. It’s a real privilege to get this type of insight from you. You gave us an album to treasure in Lily and it’s one you’ve every right to reflect on with real pride.
Just to also say that tonight on Sky Arts, Part 2 of the highlights from Cambridge are being shown at 9.00pm (Part 1 is available On Demand and both parts are repeated on Saturday from 2.00pm). ‘His performance was instinctive, stirring and unquestionably divine’: yes, that just about sums up every concert of yours that I’ve had the pleasure of attending. Many thanks for taking the time to share this terrific Chat with us and for everything your music brings us.
these “Chats” are mainly written when I’m on the road….they help occupy the time between gigs…time previously occupied “gadding” about like a blue-arsed fly !!
In recent years I tend to lie very low between gigs and I enjoy getting these “comms” together. Glad to know that they are read and enjoyed.Thanks Kevin.
You know, I was just watching Andy Irvine, Dony Lunny and Paul Brady in a 1976 performance on youtube. I am so taken aback, captured, entranced by their excellence. And it made me ponder. When one has been so successful in one’s life, I mean musically, I mean as a performer. What is old age like? Is it more of the same, or does something else happen? I guess it depends on one’s character and inner drive.
Andy,Donal and Paul still follow their separate music journeys, their paths still crossing occasionally…I remember that peformance to which you refer…skilled passionate and artful stringing from The Embankment in Tallaght, then a bedrock of the Dublin folk music scene, (the entire audience chain smoking !)……..
With regard to your question and speaking only for myself…..life becomes more precious….with passing years each gig is approached carefully but once the lights go down the old spark ignites…one two three and away we go,
row-dill-dum-dee-dye-dill-diddley-eye-dill-dum-dee-doh (Sligo Maid)
How’s a going christy..
First of all congratulations on Lily. An absolute gem of an Album!! From the song choices the production, the lyrics, the sound, the sleeve. fecking brilliant. It’s the best irish (and international) album I listened too in years..
And it not just me that likes it. A friend of mine lives down in Chinatown and his dad asked could he have a listen to the song Lily? Now this man wouldn’t listen to neighbours dog bark! But he loved it. I had to buy another album for myself because I couldn’t ask him for it back after that. But that’s how good music gets around well done to you and all that put it all together. There will be awards to be picked up for this album…
I was only thinking today when i bought my first guitar in O’Neil’s on caple street the years of enjoyment I got out of it and still today I love hearing a new songs and thinking I’d love to sing that in con Cummins some night. Now I only play for myself but there is a song in us all that needs to come out now and again. At the moment I love Tony smalls mandolin mountain and he has another song called Galway I’m very fond of at this moment.
Thank you christy for introducing us to Tony small.
Enough about Work! Sarsfields won by 4 tonight after being 8 down in the first half.
But that is what champions do!
Moorefield are out tomorrow so I will keep you posted their progress but at the moment the deleney cup will saying in newbridge again this year. The newbridge teams look to strong for the rest of the county maybe we should join the two teams together!!!!!
Chat to you soon christy.
What a grand burst of chat from the old home town……is there music in Con’s every night ?
great to get a good review from Chinatown….any one know how it got its name?
anyone else remember Rosy of Rosy’s Lane Fame ( she used to call me Christiford, God Rest Her Gentle Soul ) she would stand at Neesons Corner all day with a Woodbine if she had one… come closing time she’d keep nix for Hubert and let him know if the Guards were coming
Aint it awesome to see the facilites sported by both Moorefield and Sarsfield….60 years ago we used to “train”in the old Ropes Field
let me know when you sing Mandolin Mountain in Cummins’s
John Spillane is on in Booterstown on Thursday 25th August…tickets going steadily…anyone interested 0868659814, people travel from all over to see John . Thanks.
in cars buses vans and trains,
with walkers bikers and hikers
paragliders and deep sea divers
resonators and impersonators
Roses Wrens and Rossies
Frankies Freds and Flossies
all heading for The Punch Bowl
to welcome the Cherry Blossom
Great chat again Christy, never have I come across anyone whose prose is so evocative. I’m encouraged to see Butterfly on your recent lists; hopefully you won’t have tired of it by the time you come back to Glasgow, it’s the one song of yours I’m desperate to hear you sing live. Enjoy your break.
fair play to you John…if I make it back to Clydeside the Butterfly will appear……but I’ll need a wee nudge closer to the time…hope all is well in Motherwell
Another wonderful chat Christy,enyoyed reading the happenings of the never ending tour. I note “Rory is gone” made an appearance in the Jazz cub, one of my old favourites…….
Enjoy the break.
Ride on
Patsy
Sound Patsy….Moate abú
Should have proof read! Times are changing, not hanging!
Morning Christy, how lovely to wake to read your chat, I can always hear your voice as I read and it’s brilliant to hear your recollections. The three of us are up in Cumbria for a wedding in the town I spent a large part of my youth, memories abound, while Tallulah (now 16) is at Rebellion Punk Festival in Blackpool. The times they are a’ hanging, but we go with the flow. Wishing you a wonderful break and hopefully we’ll get to see you agai soon. Be safe and well. Love from us all.
used to play a great circuit of clubs there back in the 60s…Whitehaven, Windermere,Cockermouth, Troutbeck,Barrow, Egremont, Carlisle and maybe a few others…. old 1956 VW Beetle,guitar,sleeping bag and me, trundling from Town to Town as “happy as Larry”
hope ye have a good time, that Tallulah rocks Blackpool
That Chat is just brilliant, loved reading every word…keep doing them..enjoy the rest of summer..keep an eye out for that 78 Jailhouse Rock..
When is John Spillane playing in Booterstown ? That should be some night…any tickets left ?
Hi Christy, As a Newbridge family, we have seen you many times locally and continue to enjoy your music and performances in Ireland. We were at Cambridge Folk Festival last week and thought you were magic! Great selection of songs, presented with confidence and gusto – where I was in the marquee, the audience were with you all the way. It was a wonderful evening – thanks for the memories.
What a great buzz in that Cambridge Tent….I recall the Marquees of years ago, hearing Brendan Bowyer with The Royal Showband,Butch Moore withThe Capitol, Derek Dean with The Freshmen, dancing the night away, dreaming and fantasizing…fifty years on its like a dream come true, alongside Seamie, Declan and Jimmy as we take the stage to a Marquee full of excitement with lights and Mikes and TV cameras and thousands listeners young, old and in between, of every race colour and creed, leppin and listenin, willing us on, raising our game to meet the expectation…..I’m like that 16 year old in Dreamland,Athy,County Kildare all those years ago, buckin around to The Paragon Seven, to Joe Mac and The Dixies……what a buzz…
One review in The Daily Telegraph wrote that the real stars at The Cambridge Festival are The Audience …I concur with that 100%
So you are “Newbridge Pat”….come tell me more!!….are you Hawkfield or Kilbelin, Chinatown or Rosies Lane ??….are we neighbours or townies or whats the story ??…I baled out in 1963 but I left one foot in the door, I’ve always got an ear for Droichead Nua, Pairc Mhuire, The Rathfield, always an eye on Moorefield, Sarsfield,Front Street, Back Street and all those loving lanes
Thanks for sharing and best wishes to you and yours, whoever you are, wherever you may be…