Hi sorry to bother you twice in one week but I forgot to ask will you be playing Johnny jump up . I hope so I was wondering if you are taking requests if you are could you play black is the color for anber Kayleigh and Lucy . Amber still sings black is the color or my trifles hair and always talks about you singing it to her lol . If you cant I get it . Anyway looking forward to the concert definitely going to be different so good luck . I’m sure everyone will enjoy it and give feedback . Hope your on the road soon Graeme thom
Christy's reply
no bother Graeme..I’ve had to take a rain check on call outs..yours is the 11th request for (a call out with) Black is The Colour…I only have 80 minutes..gotta focus on my work..
hope to get back to Auld Reekie before too long….good to hear from you
All the best for Saturday night Christy, just one tip, I would give the crowd surfing a miss, if you fling yourself backwards off the stage the catchers may be few and far apart, don’t want you damaging your ‘Atkin’. Besides that anyrhing goes.
Christy's reply
I’ve requested that the mosh pit be filled with clean mattresses
Hi Christy best of luck on Saturday night hard to know the best tactics to go for not much point putting the high ball into the forward line if there no-one there might have to stick with the ground hurling
It was great to see you in Lisdoon a memory to last me a lifetime
Face the puck out
Christy's reply
new strategy..dispelling with full back line altogether and going with 6 in full forward line…expecting a high scoring but bruising encounter
Hello Christy,
I’ve completely fallen for Yellow Furze Woman. The spaciousness of the phrases, the shape of the melody, the honesty of it.
The parade video from CS(16) is brilliant. I love the shrieking. I’m 50 next month and if something like the happened for me I’d be so happy. I’m hoping to see my family, even on a screen.
Rebecca
Christy's reply
I still remember exactly where I was when I wrote that first line 34 years ago
our mother,Nancy Power of The Yellow Furze in County Meath , instilled a love of songs in all her children…never a day passes without remembering her voice…she was at her happiest when surrounded by singers and songs….our Yellow Furze Woman (1919-1992)
CM( 75)
I am scincerly looking forward to the Saturday gig.The invisable interloper
Corona (19) has created some strange experiences that we could have never imagined.
A year ago this week we were like a herd of sheep unsocialy distanced inside the great walls of Galway university.
That was a grand day and no notion that such gatherings would not be possible only a few months later.If someone told me” This time next year you will have to stay home from school and away from everyone for your own safety.” I would actually say they had drank too much cuckoo juice and completely lost their marbles!
I have been playing a lot of bouzoukie. But the guitar is never too far from me either.! I am not sure which one is my main one.
So many subjects I’d like to write songs about ..but none of them have come to anything..yet
Theres a male donkey in town , hes been baptised romeo.He has serious problems with regards to social distancing .If he was human he would be arrested for stalking all the female donkeys and horses.! He managed to break the wire in the eletric fence over the weekend..a pure nut job! I think he’d scale the great wall of china to get to a woman.!
RS hit 21 yesterday and any proper party was not possible. We had been scheming and pulled off a brilliant surprise birthday parade.I think it did the job and lifted her spirits!
Link to parade https://youtu.be/cZoWF1G027E
CS (16)
P.S.
You didnt miss her by the way ..shes on TG4 friday night 18th 9.30pm “Cumar a bohemian Rapsody “
Christy's reply
Colm,
That parade past the house is such a beautiful thing
thank you for sharing
thanks too for the memory of that lovely gig with Mary McPartland in UCG
what a beautiful spirit emanated from Mary….her memory lives on…
maybe you could write a few verses about Romeo and his quest for love
a poss line to get you started
” he’d scale the walls of china, he’s jump the ‘lectric fence
he’d gallop thru your cabbage patch in search of fresh romance”
I’m flexing my vocals for Saturday,
searching nostrils,earholes and eyebrows for errant hairs
that parade past your house stays with me..what a display of affection from your community….its a pleasure to know you all
congrats CS (16) and RS (21)……..”marcaidh ar agaidh” CM (75)
I understand first question from Deaglan was for you Christy Moore, so take this with a grain. I’ve caught streamed qc shows of artists I’ve gone to hear, and have been pleasantly surprised at how akin to attending live the concerts have been. Haven’t been with your crowd for your live music, so not able to tie in same way. Great stuff, though!
Getting excited for Saturday now. I imagine you’re gearing up for it. I have tons of songs that I could request, but as ever I enjoy whatever you decide to play. I’ve some friends over the water who are tuning in from the exotic idyll of Leeds. Their first ‘Christy’ gig; let’s hope it’s the first of many.
Best of luck for Saturday, Christy, ride on.
We’re so looking forward to Saturday night Christy and really enjoyed the Friday evenings during lockdown with Andy. We missed the Marquee this year so we’re just back from 2 weeks in the North touring around the beautiful coastline from Newcastle, through Ards peninsula, Ballygally, the Glens, Ballycastle, Bushmills and Derry. 500 miles of stunning scenery and warm welcomes with 2 great days in Belfast to finish! Sadly no live music at all, what strange times we are in. Go well on Saturday Christy and if there’s time maybe a mention for my beautiful patient wife Sally Anne.
Nos da a chysga’n dda,
David
Christy's reply
its a beautiful coastline ….
music rooms everywhere lie silent these times…
as we sang in unison in a thousand venues we never imagined what lay ahead…
If i fulfilled half the call outs on Sat there would be no time left to sing !
I will sing my heart to every listener
Sail On David & Sally Anne
Christy a chara: We met a good few times at the swimming pool in Crumlin (now closed). After many years with The Irish Times, I am now working as a freelance journalist. Irish America magazine publishes a weekly online newsletter on Saturday mornings and I have been asked to write a profile-piece about your good self in advance of your livestream solo concert in the National Concert Hall this coming Saturday night. Here are a few questions please:
1. I gather this is the first time you have done a livestream solo concert: how do you feel about it? How will the internet compare with the intimacy of a ‘normal’ gig in a concert venue?
2. The Covid-19 pandemic has proved challenging for the music sector. How has it impacted yourself in professional terms?
3. Since most of the readers of the newsletter are Americans, especially Irish-Americans, do you have any message for them in advance of the concert?
4. I see the concert will be accessible in Australia as well: any message for the Irish who are living and working Down Under?
5. You are associated with songs about political affairs/current events over the years. Anything planned, with Covid as a theme?
6. On a very local issue, have you ever performed in Puckane, County Tipperary? If so, what are your memories of the occasion?
Best Wishes,
Deaglan de Breadun
Christy's reply
Deaglan…
that old Crumlin Pool was a great bolt hole back in the day….manys the Large Bottle perspirated in the Sauna
Dear Christy,
While much is being made of the 400th anniversary this month of the mayflower setting sail, it is more worthy that we remember what those ‘pilgrims’ and their fellow ‘settlers’ did to those who had been there for millenia.
If you get a chance have a check of the great Frank Wamsutta James of the Wampanoag people ,and his rejected speech for the 350th anniversary.
Perhaps Red Crow Floyd Westerman would have approved of Frank, i imagine he did. Perhaps Red Crow’s music could be remembered on Saturday night, or the Paul Doran song Natives which says it all.
The Mayflower occupants were not better than the people they took land, peace and nature’s abundance from, the Wampanoag saved the pilgrims and it was they who effectively wrote the words of Natives by their actions.
It is time to re – read Bury my heart at wounded knee, someone in the Oval office should.
Rory
Christy's reply
“there’s a Quiet Desperation comin over me” sang Red Crow
“for all of our languages,we cant communicate” sings Paul Doran
” land of the free, home of the brave” growls the DT
Hello Christy,
That must have been something to be in the middle of. I need to get it going through some better speakers. 5 piper’s, that must have been awesome in the room. The individuality within the group really grabbed me.
Thankyou and thankyou to Mary too.
Rebecca
Christy's reply
Slap bang in the middle of Donal’s “Orchealtach”was a great place to be…
Pity it never developed..it was an ambitious and wortwhile project with lots of potential..every musician involved totally committed to Donal’s vision and direction…but sometimes that just aint enough to make a project fly..
The project was filmed by Art O’Broin, a dear friend, He understood the heart of the project…. let us all hold him the white light this night as he struggles with most difficult illness …
Thanks Christy, haven’t heard the word humdinger in years! You mentioned they were recorded circa 1986 – our dear friends Frankie Kennedy (RIP) on flute and Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh on fiddle went on to form Altan in Donegal 1987. Le grá Mary
Thanks to you and Mary for the orchestra links- what brilliant sights and sounds -viva youtube,as well. Brilliant to access works that might otherwise be lost. Interesting comments under the clips- speculating about the ‘who’s who’ in the line up. Some contrast to your forthcoming NCH project. Strange times for sure, but I’m sure it’ll be a brilliant gig- enjoyable for you too,I hope.
Hello Christy,
I’ve no idea if this is the one you meant but I had to post a link anyway. https://youtu.be/gVLtA4uX_NM
It’s fabulous, I love the bodhran work, my mind is still whirling and I don’t know whether I’m here or there!
Rebecca
Christy's reply
these are the tracks…..(courtesy of Mary from The Bog Meadow)
There was an ould woman and she lived in the woods
Weelia, weelia, wálie
There was an ould woman and she lived in the woods
Down by the river sáile
The nuns taught us that in primary school at Scoil Ursula in Sligo back in the day. Looking back at it now, I find it kinda funny that they were teaching us to sing about the murder of a child. We loved it. But then I suppose any kind of singing in class brought us closer together as a group, which is what teachers need to do. Create a class that works well together. Still though. The sound of a group of four-year-olds singing about the long, sharp pen knife being stuck into the babby would probably send shivers up and down the spine of today’s school inspectors. And don’t get me started on the ‘Men Behind The Wire’, which was another classroom favourite.
Anyway Christy …
I was reminded of the old songs last night when I tuned into Raidio Éireann and heard Aoife Nic Cormaic and Terry Moylan chatting about Frank Harte while listening to a few of Frank’s recordings. When it was over I was drawn back to the song ‘Henry My Son’ that I learned as a child. Not at school, but from an old C90 that we’d recorded off the radio. I couldn’t go to bed until I’d found it on the internet. What a great song.
I was struck by a certain similarity with ‘What Put The Blood’. The question-and-answer format of ‘What will you leave your mother? / A woollen vest’ is not unlike that of ‘What will you do with your two fine children? / I’ll give one to my Mammy and the other to my Daddy’.
At the end of ‘Henry’ he says he’ll leave to his sweetheart ‘a rope to hang her’. I’d never thought about it before, but I’m guessing it could be because she might have been the one who served him up the ‘poisoned beans’ to get shut of him in the first place. God only knows.
Make my bed
I’ve a pain in me head
And I want to lie down
J
Christy's reply
Two Policemen and a Man
I’d love to get you started on “The Men Behind The Wire”
When Paddy McGuigan and The Barleycorn recorded that song they were the only musicians in Ireland to stand up to “Operation Demetrius” .Hundreds were lifted and interned ..most of them because of where they lived…..
“Armoured Cars and Tanks and Guns
come to take away our Sons”
Hi Christy,
The Monday before a really special event for you and indeed all of us, as you prepare for the NCH. I’m sure the adrenaline is already building as you decide on what might be or not included.Be assured that we are all with you, sending good vibrations, making requests in our Head……. will I call for January Man, or maybe Sail on Jimmy, or a dozen others…. “Feck it I missed my chance” he’s already started the next one !!!!! . That’s what happens when we love so many Songs.😁. While the Gang usually gather In smaller parts at the different Gig locations, this time we will be all together for the first time; all be it virtually. So Christy, I wish you every good wish with the “New” gig……….. and remember we are all there in the front rows urging you on.
Best regards.
Ride on
Patsy
Christy's reply
This is a whole new ball game Patsy…I’m still figuring out what approach to take..to work to and empty room or work direct to a camera …at this moment I think I’ll be singing out to all good listeners wherever they may be…hoping that the songs will once again bring us all together into that space we have shared so many ties before…the very concept of an audience sitting together simutaeneously in Moate, Muswell Hill,Manhattan,Melbourne. Mannheim, Mixenden,Mexboro, Mullingar and Moscow is a mystery,
been getting a lot of suggestions, requests, dedications…..
catch you later Patsy…
Hi sorry to bother you twice in one week but I forgot to ask will you be playing Johnny jump up . I hope so I was wondering if you are taking requests if you are could you play black is the color for anber Kayleigh and Lucy . Amber still sings black is the color or my trifles hair and always talks about you singing it to her lol . If you cant I get it . Anyway looking forward to the concert definitely going to be different so good luck . I’m sure everyone will enjoy it and give feedback . Hope your on the road soon Graeme thom
no bother Graeme..I’ve had to take a rain check on call outs..yours is the 11th request for (a call out with) Black is The Colour…I only have 80 minutes..gotta focus on my work..
hope to get back to Auld Reekie before too long….good to hear from you
However, I’m sure any spiritual flinging, backwards or otherwise, would be enthusiastically received.
celebrate
All the best for Saturday night Christy, just one tip, I would give the crowd surfing a miss, if you fling yourself backwards off the stage the catchers may be few and far apart, don’t want you damaging your ‘Atkin’. Besides that anyrhing goes.
I’ve requested that the mosh pit be filled with clean mattresses
Hi Christy best of luck on Saturday night hard to know the best tactics to go for not much point putting the high ball into the forward line if there no-one there might have to stick with the ground hurling
It was great to see you in Lisdoon a memory to last me a lifetime
Face the puck out
new strategy..dispelling with full back line altogether and going with 6 in full forward line…expecting a high scoring but bruising encounter
Hello Christy,
I’ve completely fallen for Yellow Furze Woman. The spaciousness of the phrases, the shape of the melody, the honesty of it.
The parade video from CS(16) is brilliant. I love the shrieking. I’m 50 next month and if something like the happened for me I’d be so happy. I’m hoping to see my family, even on a screen.
Rebecca
I still remember exactly where I was when I wrote that first line 34 years ago
our mother,Nancy Power of The Yellow Furze in County Meath , instilled a love of songs in all her children…never a day passes without remembering her voice…she was at her happiest when surrounded by singers and songs….our Yellow Furze Woman (1919-1992)
PS Happy Birthday next Month
CM( 75)
I am scincerly looking forward to the Saturday gig.The invisable interloper
Corona (19) has created some strange experiences that we could have never imagined.
A year ago this week we were like a herd of sheep unsocialy distanced inside the great walls of Galway university.
That was a grand day and no notion that such gatherings would not be possible only a few months later.If someone told me” This time next year you will have to stay home from school and away from everyone for your own safety.” I would actually say they had drank too much cuckoo juice and completely lost their marbles!
I have been playing a lot of bouzoukie. But the guitar is never too far from me either.! I am not sure which one is my main one.
So many subjects I’d like to write songs about ..but none of them have come to anything..yet
Theres a male donkey in town , hes been baptised romeo.He has serious problems with regards to social distancing .If he was human he would be arrested for stalking all the female donkeys and horses.! He managed to break the wire in the eletric fence over the weekend..a pure nut job! I think he’d scale the great wall of china to get to a woman.!
RS hit 21 yesterday and any proper party was not possible. We had been scheming and pulled off a brilliant surprise birthday parade.I think it did the job and lifted her spirits!
Link to parade
https://youtu.be/cZoWF1G027E
CS (16)
P.S.
You didnt miss her by the way ..shes on TG4 friday night 18th 9.30pm “Cumar a bohemian Rapsody “
Colm,
That parade past the house is such a beautiful thing
thank you for sharing
thanks too for the memory of that lovely gig with Mary McPartland in UCG
what a beautiful spirit emanated from Mary….her memory lives on…
maybe you could write a few verses about Romeo and his quest for love
a poss line to get you started
” he’d scale the walls of china, he’s jump the ‘lectric fence
he’d gallop thru your cabbage patch in search of fresh romance”
I’m flexing my vocals for Saturday,
searching nostrils,earholes and eyebrows for errant hairs
that parade past your house stays with me..what a display of affection from your community….its a pleasure to know you all
congrats CS (16) and RS (21)……..”marcaidh ar agaidh” CM (75)
I understand first question from Deaglan was for you Christy Moore, so take this with a grain. I’ve caught streamed qc shows of artists I’ve gone to hear, and have been pleasantly surprised at how akin to attending live the concerts have been. Haven’t been with your crowd for your live music, so not able to tie in same way. Great stuff, though!
keep comin back Bren
Well Christy,
Getting excited for Saturday now. I imagine you’re gearing up for it. I have tons of songs that I could request, but as ever I enjoy whatever you decide to play. I’ve some friends over the water who are tuning in from the exotic idyll of Leeds. Their first ‘Christy’ gig; let’s hope it’s the first of many.
Best of luck for Saturday, Christy, ride on.
Ken
“you loaded 16 tons and what do you get”
We’re so looking forward to Saturday night Christy and really enjoyed the Friday evenings during lockdown with Andy. We missed the Marquee this year so we’re just back from 2 weeks in the North touring around the beautiful coastline from Newcastle, through Ards peninsula, Ballygally, the Glens, Ballycastle, Bushmills and Derry. 500 miles of stunning scenery and warm welcomes with 2 great days in Belfast to finish! Sadly no live music at all, what strange times we are in. Go well on Saturday Christy and if there’s time maybe a mention for my beautiful patient wife Sally Anne.
Nos da a chysga’n dda,
David
its a beautiful coastline ….
music rooms everywhere lie silent these times…
as we sang in unison in a thousand venues we never imagined what lay ahead…
If i fulfilled half the call outs on Sat there would be no time left to sing !
I will sing my heart to every listener
Sail On David & Sally Anne
Christy a chara: We met a good few times at the swimming pool in Crumlin (now closed). After many years with The Irish Times, I am now working as a freelance journalist. Irish America magazine publishes a weekly online newsletter on Saturday mornings and I have been asked to write a profile-piece about your good self in advance of your livestream solo concert in the National Concert Hall this coming Saturday night. Here are a few questions please:
1. I gather this is the first time you have done a livestream solo concert: how do you feel about it? How will the internet compare with the intimacy of a ‘normal’ gig in a concert venue?
2. The Covid-19 pandemic has proved challenging for the music sector. How has it impacted yourself in professional terms?
3. Since most of the readers of the newsletter are Americans, especially Irish-Americans, do you have any message for them in advance of the concert?
4. I see the concert will be accessible in Australia as well: any message for the Irish who are living and working Down Under?
5. You are associated with songs about political affairs/current events over the years. Anything planned, with Covid as a theme?
6. On a very local issue, have you ever performed in Puckane, County Tipperary? If so, what are your memories of the occasion?
Best Wishes,
Deaglan de Breadun
Deaglan…
that old Crumlin Pool was a great bolt hole back in the day….manys the Large Bottle perspirated in the Sauna
Dear Christy. Three days left. Good luck for the NCH. And thanks a lot for all home sessions.
Günter
Good Man Gunter….
Dear Christy,
While much is being made of the 400th anniversary this month of the mayflower setting sail, it is more worthy that we remember what those ‘pilgrims’ and their fellow ‘settlers’ did to those who had been there for millenia.
If you get a chance have a check of the great Frank Wamsutta James of the Wampanoag people ,and his rejected speech for the 350th anniversary.
Perhaps Red Crow Floyd Westerman would have approved of Frank, i imagine he did. Perhaps Red Crow’s music could be remembered on Saturday night, or the Paul Doran song Natives which says it all.
The Mayflower occupants were not better than the people they took land, peace and nature’s abundance from, the Wampanoag saved the pilgrims and it was they who effectively wrote the words of Natives by their actions.
It is time to re – read Bury my heart at wounded knee, someone in the Oval office should.
Rory
“there’s a Quiet Desperation comin over me” sang Red Crow
“for all of our languages,we cant communicate” sings Paul Doran
” land of the free, home of the brave” growls the DT
Just booked for a streaming ticket this weekend, looking forward seeing you in my home at 4 morning on sunday(japanese time)
Hi Yas….always a pleasure to hear from the Far East
Hello Christy,
That must have been something to be in the middle of. I need to get it going through some better speakers. 5 piper’s, that must have been awesome in the room. The individuality within the group really grabbed me.
Thankyou and thankyou to Mary too.
Rebecca
Slap bang in the middle of Donal’s “Orchealtach”was a great place to be…
Pity it never developed..it was an ambitious and wortwhile project with lots of potential..every musician involved totally committed to Donal’s vision and direction…but sometimes that just aint enough to make a project fly..
The project was filmed by Art O’Broin, a dear friend, He understood the heart of the project…. let us all hold him the white light this night as he struggles with most difficult illness …
Thankyou Christy and Mary. I’m on my way over there now. 😊
Rebecca
Thanks Christy, haven’t heard the word humdinger in years! You mentioned they were recorded circa 1986 – our dear friends Frankie Kennedy (RIP) on flute and Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh on fiddle went on to form Altan in Donegal 1987. Le grá Mary
Greg Boland on guitar (RIP)
Mornin’ Christy
Thanks to you and Mary for the orchestra links- what brilliant sights and sounds -viva youtube,as well. Brilliant to access works that might otherwise be lost. Interesting comments under the clips- speculating about the ‘who’s who’ in the line up. Some contrast to your forthcoming NCH project. Strange times for sure, but I’m sure it’ll be a brilliant gig- enjoyable for you too,I hope.
Have a good day
Dave
a happy time in the middle of the music
Hello Christy,
I’ve no idea if this is the one you meant but I had to post a link anyway.
https://youtu.be/gVLtA4uX_NM
It’s fabulous, I love the bodhran work, my mind is still whirling and I don’t know whether I’m here or there!
Rebecca
these are the tracks…..(courtesy of Mary from The Bog Meadow)
https://youtu.be/BDUpPuOp0g8
https://youtu.be/ANQPZ_KL39g
There was an ould woman and she lived in the woods
Weelia, weelia, wálie
There was an ould woman and she lived in the woods
Down by the river sáile
The nuns taught us that in primary school at Scoil Ursula in Sligo back in the day. Looking back at it now, I find it kinda funny that they were teaching us to sing about the murder of a child. We loved it. But then I suppose any kind of singing in class brought us closer together as a group, which is what teachers need to do. Create a class that works well together. Still though. The sound of a group of four-year-olds singing about the long, sharp pen knife being stuck into the babby would probably send shivers up and down the spine of today’s school inspectors. And don’t get me started on the ‘Men Behind The Wire’, which was another classroom favourite.
Anyway Christy …
I was reminded of the old songs last night when I tuned into Raidio Éireann and heard Aoife Nic Cormaic and Terry Moylan chatting about Frank Harte while listening to a few of Frank’s recordings. When it was over I was drawn back to the song ‘Henry My Son’ that I learned as a child. Not at school, but from an old C90 that we’d recorded off the radio. I couldn’t go to bed until I’d found it on the internet. What a great song.
I was struck by a certain similarity with ‘What Put The Blood’. The question-and-answer format of ‘What will you leave your mother? / A woollen vest’ is not unlike that of ‘What will you do with your two fine children? / I’ll give one to my Mammy and the other to my Daddy’.
At the end of ‘Henry’ he says he’ll leave to his sweetheart ‘a rope to hang her’. I’d never thought about it before, but I’m guessing it could be because she might have been the one who served him up the ‘poisoned beans’ to get shut of him in the first place. God only knows.
Make my bed
I’ve a pain in me head
And I want to lie down
J
Two Policemen and a Man
I’d love to get you started on “The Men Behind The Wire”
When Paddy McGuigan and The Barleycorn recorded that song they were the only musicians in Ireland to stand up to “Operation Demetrius” .Hundreds were lifted and interned ..most of them because of where they lived…..
“Armoured Cars and Tanks and Guns
come to take away our Sons”
now you got me started !
Hi Christy,
The Monday before a really special event for you and indeed all of us, as you prepare for the NCH. I’m sure the adrenaline is already building as you decide on what might be or not included.Be assured that we are all with you, sending good vibrations, making requests in our Head……. will I call for January Man, or maybe Sail on Jimmy, or a dozen others…. “Feck it I missed my chance” he’s already started the next one !!!!! . That’s what happens when we love so many Songs.😁. While the Gang usually gather In smaller parts at the different Gig locations, this time we will be all together for the first time; all be it virtually. So Christy, I wish you every good wish with the “New” gig……….. and remember we are all there in the front rows urging you on.
Best regards.
Ride on
Patsy
This is a whole new ball game Patsy…I’m still figuring out what approach to take..to work to and empty room or work direct to a camera …at this moment I think I’ll be singing out to all good listeners wherever they may be…hoping that the songs will once again bring us all together into that space we have shared so many ties before…the very concept of an audience sitting together simutaeneously in Moate, Muswell Hill,Manhattan,Melbourne. Mannheim, Mixenden,Mexboro, Mullingar and Moscow is a mystery,
been getting a lot of suggestions, requests, dedications…..
catch you later Patsy…
The Auld Sheebeen was a tidy spot