Hi Christy. To try help beat the coffee blues, give the hot water a go. Boil her up, let it sit for a minute, then sip away. I think a big part of the coffee/tea attraction is the heat. Hot water can be a shelter from the storm
Morning Christy
Good health I trust. Like to share a little news with you. Last week I became a granddad for the first time. Lovely baby Cora. I had a little chuckle to myself when I checked to find it is a derivative of the Greek name Corrina so I’ll be checking out one of Declan’s Youtube entries as he sings the Dylan song so well.
She is a beautiful healthy baby thanks be to god. She seems to like the humming of Ride On against her sweet soft ear and I’m sure I saw the corner of her mouth raise into a smile. Another few years and I’ll have her off to one of your gigs just as I converted my daughter to you a few years ago.
Enjoyed reading your coffee making exploits.
See you along the way
Frankie.
Christy's reply
“Welcome to the world Cora.”
I have always loved that name Frankie..congrats to all concerned in her creation and arrival…glad to hear that her ear is already attuned to song…
I’m still off the coffee..hard at first..still get pangs of excitement from the waft but the obsession has lifted and the compulsions getting easier to reject….the moderation gene is absent from my personal pool..just one coffee today and I’d be away on a hack again…. shouting for double espressos at every chance and the eyes bulgin outa me head with false energy !!!
Just learned the song Black is the color by listening to you on Youtube. I am going to translate the lyrics into Icelandic until then is the following my version. Hope I will be able to attend one of your concerts some day.
Home again after the two mighty gigs in Killashee. . . . Home is always home and it was clear how much the 2 shows were enjoyed by everyone in that big room , both the crowd and on stage I think. Hard to beat being amongst your own.
Re Joxer on the first night , it was a mere blip . . . . And as long as Ray still stuck the ball in the English net all was well in the end.
Hope to see ye in Letterkenny in April.
Christy's reply
Marty…thanks for “prompt” prompt…in the heat of such a forgetful moment I somtimes fail to grasp the words being offered….
I loved the energy of Kilashee gigs….that venue itself has a deep and meaningful connection…I always encounter old emotions within those deconsecrated walls.
…..thanks to all you long haul listeners for being so generous with your time..
My good mate from Dublin, Pat Waters and Myself are great admirers of you and your music and were wondering whether you would give a song we have written and recorded, a listen for us?
It’s called The Famine Song.
Thanks for your time and good luck with everything!
I woke with this song in my head. The you tube version from The Well is heartfelt and thankfully was ‘the first of many’. Its still a song for all nations and i hope it works its way back into the show ‘ere long but even if it doesn’t its still a daily lesson. For all of our languages we can’t communicate….Natives.
Christy's reply
stranger things have been known to happen..
They’re under starters orders !
They’re off !
We really enjoyed tonight’s show down on your home patch. I am a veteran of many gigs of yours on both sides of the sea between scotland and ireland and tonight felt special. Anticipating a victory over the bookies at naas we will see you on saturday night too to raise the rafters and the chandeliers. No requests just gratitude this time. Up the lilywhites.
Christy's reply
Good luck today at Naas Races….I fancied a horse in the 4th ’til getting info last night that she might not be be trying….they’re holding her back ’til Cheltenham when himself will be back in the saddle…Naas has always been a good track for me since I first cycled over in 1961…myself and The Meg ended up in Tommy Fleitcher’s (who always kept the best pint in town)….after a right few scoops we ventured into Mrs Lawlor’s Ballroom where we both got lucky…the Meg went off with a quare one from Tipper while I ended up in a Furze bush near The Bundle of Sticks. It was well past Dawn as we limped over the Liffey Bridge into Newbridge, as proud as two puppies.
Growing up in these parts was paradise for a fledgling punter. I had 3 racecourses within 7 miles of our hall door..The Curragh, Naas and Punchestown…as if that was not enough we had Baldoyle, The Phoenix Park and Leopardstown all within cycling distance. I had an old Rudge with a Sturmey-Archer 3 speed ..she was a hoor to go if I had the wind on me back…
Well Christy, how are you ?
It has been a long few months since I’ve got to a gig of yours. First gig of many this year is Kilashee House tomorrow night.
Back in December 2016 at The Brandon Hotel in Tralee you sang Ewan McColls “Companeros” and also The Galtee Mountain Boy.
I wonder would it be possible if one of these songs was worked into your set list tomorrow night ?
Christy's reply
Lets see what way the wind blows Ruairi….theres no telling what might happen …your call outs have been noted…we’ll just have to wait and see….welcome back
We are coming out of hibernation and hitting the road to Naas and like a polar bear waking after the long sleep our appetite is in need of attention….. but it’s the music we crave . Have to make our way through some sneachta , nothing serious enough to worry about .
Christy's reply
Thanks for the dig out…despite your prompting I was unable to find that opening line so Joxer was a verse short ! good to see ye again
Christy, excitement is building… we’re looking forward to tomorrow night.
Mammy & daddy will come with us too, 36 years married this coming Tuesday. If the notion takes you can you please give No time for love a lash. If not, no hassle at all.
Keep the faith! Thanks a mill,
Aisling
Christy's reply
just tuning the guitar,ironing me keks, tightening the drum, flexing the set, counting my blessings…see ye all upon the shortgrass
Hi Christy, Thank you also for sharing.
I tried to make contact with the survival group, no contact details available !.
A sad situation that Dublin City Council want to sell the site of the last Magdalene Laundry in Sean Mc Dermott to the highest bidder. Very generous that they want to hang a plaque in memory of all those who suffered behind those walls.
My personal view is the site should be turned into an interpretive centre out of respect for all Mothers and children that spent time those homes all over the country
The day before I sent you my last post I sent the poem “Remember” to C:C, she was quite taken by the first verse and since receiving her reply I have been preoccupied with the same.
I got myself the finest sandpaper I could find began polishing.
I sent it to Catherine yesterday, got a very moving reply and for that reason would like to pass it on
“Remember”
( dedicated to C.C and her cause)
Call in the verses that rave and that rant
Call on the voices that charter and chant
Call on sweet glory with its petals of gold
To harvest compassion for those innocent souls
Call on the wind on her way through the leaves
Knowing and going and flowing with ease
Call on the lakes and the rivers to spill
Into the oceans of love and goodwill
Call on the bards with their voices so fine
The minstrels the poets the masters of rythme
Call on the stars and the moon and the sun
Bestowing the right that the wrong be undone
Calling to you, can you hear me
Longing that you, will be free
Call on the saints and the scolars of old
Loosen those chains let their secrets unfold
Open those ledgers the past to reveal
Into the future sweet flowers of the field
Calling to you, can you hear me
Longing that you, will be free
Into the darkness send wands of pure light
Cast out the shade and the shadows of night
Call on the waters that murmur along
To carry the heart and the soul of their song
Calling to you, can you hear me
Longing that you, will be free
Calling to you, can you hear me
Calling to you
Calling to you
Calling
Its well past 1AM and the Curragh Camp girl I married is snoring so loud that there is no hope of sleep so I says to meself put on the headphones and listen to Christy. Your songs of injustice to the Travelers struck a cord and made me remember me Da telling me about the pretty red haired traveler girl he fell in love with in Kells.and that how with his parents owning a pub and sweetshop and his Da on the town council, his Mammy was having no part of him going off with the likes of her, So my grandparents had then run out of town. Go, Move, Shift had a real meaning for him. It was sad in a way as I could tell there was part of him that regretted not following her and wondering what ever became of her . So that being said I wish you all the best and thanks for the songs and helping to keep me rooted while I work away in the multinational corporate world!
John
Christy's reply
Check out “The Tinker’s Daughter”….I heard it sung on an album by Mickey McConnell…it was written by Sigerson Clifford
I have been listening to you for more than twenty years now (thanks to my ex who introduced me) and finally we are coming all the way from Åland Island in Finland, to see you in Liverpool in May. Exciting! We have a train to catch that night if its possible, can you please tell me how long the concert will last if it starts at 8.00 pm? Thank you so much, looking forward to this event!
/Charlotta
Christy's reply
We start at 8 and usually play for approximately 2 hours…..have a good trip
I saw an old piece where you said that Ronnie Drew helped you one night when he said,, “that’s enough now”. Ha, I have a quite the respect / connection with Ronnie Drew and Kelly though I never met either of them. I am sorry I never got a chance to meet them in person. But you Christy carry on with that kind of, you know, good old Irish civility,
christy i read your response to garaint and know you are right,completely.
our land had ‘society’ kicked out of it by that woman, who closed our nationalised industries without a blink, leaving tens of thousands on the concrete floor of cold,damp, hunger and dependence.
my charlie pauses every time he passes a homeless person, to chat,sit,smoke,buy a sandwich or drop a few pennies in the cup and i admire him so for it. indeed charlie and i are walking to newcastle for a foodbank charity (and a couple of other charities) soon. what kevin has done for all these years at capuchin is so selfless,vital and yet so sadly needed. both our countries bring shame upon us all for the way we now leave people behind, she destroyed society here,and that disease spread. we should all pause.
there are many great songs that try to explain the hurt of street existence, i am fortunate to never have experienced it,i see you did and am sure it gave youthe spirit to care ,and passion to sing.
i look forward to hearing two nights of wonderment at the Cill na Si, all the best, may the music keep our spirits high.
rory
Christy's reply
just gearing up now for our return to Nás na Rí and Cill na Sí….its always a buzz to sing where I grew up as a boy….I have a connection with this venue….it was formally a Convent, my Father went to infant school there…
Well Christy I made it all the way from America and I surprised the Bejezus out of the Mammy and the Daddy. I sat in the front row last night in Gorey and you were fantastic. Best I’ve ever seen you and I’ve seen you a fair few times. Just for the gig itself it was worth the epic voyage here but that you were gracious enough to not only mention my letter (and remember its detail perfectly) but that you played The Reel in the Flickering Light just blew me away. To say I’m grateful doesn’t really cover it and thank you does not seem enough. But I AM grateful and THANK YOU. You made my parents night (and possibly my year) and created the most wonderful of memories for us. It doesn’t get better than that. Thanks a million Christy. Tis like a fine wine y’are – getting better and better with age. Ok so let the return journey commence and I will listen to you courtesy of Aer Lingus all the way back to the States as I did on the way here.
Sláinte Christy ~ Gratefully Fiona Fay
Christy's reply
All coola-boola Fiona…so happy to hear that your flying visit went well for you…The Flicker is back in the set on the back of your request..makes me wonder how it ever got dropped…lovely that the Meath man and Kilkenny woman came to the gig….I always love to hear of different generations coming to hear the songs together
Hi Christy. To try help beat the coffee blues, give the hot water a go. Boil her up, let it sit for a minute, then sip away. I think a big part of the coffee/tea attraction is the heat. Hot water can be a shelter from the storm
Morning Christy
Good health I trust. Like to share a little news with you. Last week I became a granddad for the first time. Lovely baby Cora. I had a little chuckle to myself when I checked to find it is a derivative of the Greek name Corrina so I’ll be checking out one of Declan’s Youtube entries as he sings the Dylan song so well.
She is a beautiful healthy baby thanks be to god. She seems to like the humming of Ride On against her sweet soft ear and I’m sure I saw the corner of her mouth raise into a smile. Another few years and I’ll have her off to one of your gigs just as I converted my daughter to you a few years ago.
Enjoyed reading your coffee making exploits.
See you along the way
Frankie.
“Welcome to the world Cora.”
I have always loved that name Frankie..congrats to all concerned in her creation and arrival…glad to hear that her ear is already attuned to song…
I’m still off the coffee..hard at first..still get pangs of excitement from the waft but the obsession has lifted and the compulsions getting easier to reject….the moderation gene is absent from my personal pool..just one coffee today and I’d be away on a hack again…. shouting for double espressos at every chance and the eyes bulgin outa me head with false energy !!!
Are there any plans to perform in the USA? I do not get home often and would love to see a performance
Regrets Redmond… been confined to barracks these past two decades…
Just learned the song Black is the color by listening to you on Youtube. I am going to translate the lyrics into Icelandic until then is the following my version. Hope I will be able to attend one of your concerts some day.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8B5f3NqfD7E&feature=share
greetings to Iceland…
Home again after the two mighty gigs in Killashee. . . . Home is always home and it was clear how much the 2 shows were enjoyed by everyone in that big room , both the crowd and on stage I think. Hard to beat being amongst your own.
Re Joxer on the first night , it was a mere blip . . . . And as long as Ray still stuck the ball in the English net all was well in the end.
Hope to see ye in Letterkenny in April.
Marty…thanks for “prompt” prompt…in the heat of such a forgetful moment I somtimes fail to grasp the words being offered….
I loved the energy of Kilashee gigs….that venue itself has a deep and meaningful connection…I always encounter old emotions within those deconsecrated walls.
…..thanks to all you long haul listeners for being so generous with your time..
Hello Christy,
My good mate from Dublin, Pat Waters and Myself are great admirers of you and your music and were wondering whether you would give a song we have written and recorded, a listen for us?
It’s called The Famine Song.
Thanks for your time and good luck with everything!
Best Wishes
Steve Jones
if you to post it here we can all have a listen
I woke with this song in my head. The you tube version from The Well is heartfelt and thankfully was ‘the first of many’. Its still a song for all nations and i hope it works its way back into the show ‘ere long but even if it doesn’t its still a daily lesson. For all of our languages we can’t communicate….Natives.
stranger things have been known to happen..
They’re under starters orders !
They’re off !
We really enjoyed tonight’s show down on your home patch. I am a veteran of many gigs of yours on both sides of the sea between scotland and ireland and tonight felt special. Anticipating a victory over the bookies at naas we will see you on saturday night too to raise the rafters and the chandeliers. No requests just gratitude this time. Up the lilywhites.
Good luck today at Naas Races….I fancied a horse in the 4th ’til getting info last night that she might not be be trying….they’re holding her back ’til Cheltenham when himself will be back in the saddle…Naas has always been a good track for me since I first cycled over in 1961…myself and The Meg ended up in Tommy Fleitcher’s (who always kept the best pint in town)….after a right few scoops we ventured into Mrs Lawlor’s Ballroom where we both got lucky…the Meg went off with a quare one from Tipper while I ended up in a Furze bush near The Bundle of Sticks. It was well past Dawn as we limped over the Liffey Bridge into Newbridge, as proud as two puppies.
Growing up in these parts was paradise for a fledgling punter. I had 3 racecourses within 7 miles of our hall door..The Curragh, Naas and Punchestown…as if that was not enough we had Baldoyle, The Phoenix Park and Leopardstown all within cycling distance. I had an old Rudge with a Sturmey-Archer 3 speed ..she was a hoor to go if I had the wind on me back…
Christy, we’re debating if tonight was better than the Barrowlands.. The short grass sure delivered. Neck and neck!!
Fantastic night. Much appreciated. Thanks so much for the request.
Until next month…
The Lilies of the short grass are coming home again….
Well Christy, how are you ?
It has been a long few months since I’ve got to a gig of yours. First gig of many this year is Kilashee House tomorrow night.
Back in December 2016 at The Brandon Hotel in Tralee you sang Ewan McColls “Companeros” and also The Galtee Mountain Boy.
I wonder would it be possible if one of these songs was worked into your set list tomorrow night ?
Lets see what way the wind blows Ruairi….theres no telling what might happen …your call outs have been noted…we’ll just have to wait and see….welcome back
We are coming out of hibernation and hitting the road to Naas and like a polar bear waking after the long sleep our appetite is in need of attention….. but it’s the music we crave . Have to make our way through some sneachta , nothing serious enough to worry about .
Thanks for the dig out…despite your prompting I was unable to find that opening line so Joxer was a verse short ! good to see ye again
Christy, excitement is building… we’re looking forward to tomorrow night.
Mammy & daddy will come with us too, 36 years married this coming Tuesday. If the notion takes you can you please give No time for love a lash. If not, no hassle at all.
Keep the faith! Thanks a mill,
Aisling
just tuning the guitar,ironing me keks, tightening the drum, flexing the set, counting my blessings…see ye all upon the shortgrass
Hi Christy, Thank you also for sharing.
I tried to make contact with the survival group, no contact details available !.
A sad situation that Dublin City Council want to sell the site of the last Magdalene Laundry in Sean Mc Dermott to the highest bidder. Very generous that they want to hang a plaque in memory of all those who suffered behind those walls.
My personal view is the site should be turned into an interpretive centre out of respect for all Mothers and children that spent time those homes all over the country
The day before I sent you my last post I sent the poem “Remember” to C:C, she was quite taken by the first verse and since receiving her reply I have been preoccupied with the same.
I got myself the finest sandpaper I could find began polishing.
I sent it to Catherine yesterday, got a very moving reply and for that reason would like to pass it on
“Remember”
( dedicated to C.C and her cause)
Call in the verses that rave and that rant
Call on the voices that charter and chant
Call on sweet glory with its petals of gold
To harvest compassion for those innocent souls
Call on the wind on her way through the leaves
Knowing and going and flowing with ease
Call on the lakes and the rivers to spill
Into the oceans of love and goodwill
Call on the bards with their voices so fine
The minstrels the poets the masters of rythme
Call on the stars and the moon and the sun
Bestowing the right that the wrong be undone
Calling to you, can you hear me
Longing that you, will be free
Call on the saints and the scolars of old
Loosen those chains let their secrets unfold
Open those ledgers the past to reveal
Into the future sweet flowers of the field
Calling to you, can you hear me
Longing that you, will be free
Into the darkness send wands of pure light
Cast out the shade and the shadows of night
Call on the waters that murmur along
To carry the heart and the soul of their song
Calling to you, can you hear me
Longing that you, will be free
Calling to you, can you hear me
Calling to you
Calling to you
Calling
Thank you so much.
John.
john…sent you an email…christy
I goofed since I love Merle’s stuff so ..I meant this here was a bit of vain foolishness.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alW8Hfpetec
Thanks again for a wonderful night in December Christy.
Friends in Glasgow having a fundraiser for Childrens cancer charity next Saturday, 17th February.
Can ye help with a spot prize for Glasgow gig ??
Howya Mister!
Its well past 1AM and the Curragh Camp girl I married is snoring so loud that there is no hope of sleep so I says to meself put on the headphones and listen to Christy. Your songs of injustice to the Travelers struck a cord and made me remember me Da telling me about the pretty red haired traveler girl he fell in love with in Kells.and that how with his parents owning a pub and sweetshop and his Da on the town council, his Mammy was having no part of him going off with the likes of her, So my grandparents had then run out of town. Go, Move, Shift had a real meaning for him. It was sad in a way as I could tell there was part of him that regretted not following her and wondering what ever became of her . So that being said I wish you all the best and thanks for the songs and helping to keep me rooted while I work away in the multinational corporate world!
John
Check out “The Tinker’s Daughter”….I heard it sung on an album by Mickey McConnell…it was written by Sigerson Clifford
Hello Christy!
I have been listening to you for more than twenty years now (thanks to my ex who introduced me) and finally we are coming all the way from Åland Island in Finland, to see you in Liverpool in May. Exciting! We have a train to catch that night if its possible, can you please tell me how long the concert will last if it starts at 8.00 pm? Thank you so much, looking forward to this event!
/Charlotta
We start at 8 and usually play for approximately 2 hours…..have a good trip
Hey Christy,
I saw an old piece where you said that Ronnie Drew helped you one night when he said,, “that’s enough now”. Ha, I have a quite the respect / connection with Ronnie Drew and Kelly though I never met either of them. I am sorry I never got a chance to meet them in person. But you Christy carry on with that kind of, you know, good old Irish civility,
two good men a long time gone…..
christy i read your response to garaint and know you are right,completely.
our land had ‘society’ kicked out of it by that woman, who closed our nationalised industries without a blink, leaving tens of thousands on the concrete floor of cold,damp, hunger and dependence.
my charlie pauses every time he passes a homeless person, to chat,sit,smoke,buy a sandwich or drop a few pennies in the cup and i admire him so for it. indeed charlie and i are walking to newcastle for a foodbank charity (and a couple of other charities) soon. what kevin has done for all these years at capuchin is so selfless,vital and yet so sadly needed. both our countries bring shame upon us all for the way we now leave people behind, she destroyed society here,and that disease spread. we should all pause.
there are many great songs that try to explain the hurt of street existence, i am fortunate to never have experienced it,i see you did and am sure it gave youthe spirit to care ,and passion to sing.
i look forward to hearing two nights of wonderment at the Cill na Si, all the best, may the music keep our spirits high.
rory
just gearing up now for our return to Nás na Rí and Cill na Sí….its always a buzz to sing where I grew up as a boy….I have a connection with this venue….it was formally a Convent, my Father went to infant school there…
Well Christy I made it all the way from America and I surprised the Bejezus out of the Mammy and the Daddy. I sat in the front row last night in Gorey and you were fantastic. Best I’ve ever seen you and I’ve seen you a fair few times. Just for the gig itself it was worth the epic voyage here but that you were gracious enough to not only mention my letter (and remember its detail perfectly) but that you played The Reel in the Flickering Light just blew me away. To say I’m grateful doesn’t really cover it and thank you does not seem enough. But I AM grateful and THANK YOU. You made my parents night (and possibly my year) and created the most wonderful of memories for us. It doesn’t get better than that. Thanks a million Christy. Tis like a fine wine y’are – getting better and better with age. Ok so let the return journey commence and I will listen to you courtesy of Aer Lingus all the way back to the States as I did on the way here.
Sláinte Christy ~ Gratefully Fiona Fay
All coola-boola Fiona…so happy to hear that your flying visit went well for you…The Flicker is back in the set on the back of your request..makes me wonder how it ever got dropped…lovely that the Meath man and Kilkenny woman came to the gig….I always love to hear of different generations coming to hear the songs together