A song about to be born, and it’s been brewing 10 years. Lovely.
Will it be funny, naughty, romantic, thoughtful or fairy. Maybe a few of those things?
I didn’t manage to give myself a day off fro over Christmas. Instead it stepped up. The peacock’s feather is coming on. Not quite ready to sleep in my lap, but I.m starting to hand feed it biscuits. Sounds like it’s turned into the full peacock.
Some people have a church they feel like home, we have Vicar Street… emotional journey to that special place, so many memories there and around.
Great choice of songs and lovely vocals by Andy. Take care dear friends. Xxx
Ola Christy,
I hope all is good with you and yours.
I was wondering if you ever got a chance to have a crack at the “The Ball Alley near Nogra (a Covid story…) ”? https://www.facebook.com/548856438/videos/10157539050231439/
The world needs a happy uplifting ‘gowler’ of a tune to get see us through to the vaccine.
here are the words:
(to the tune of the Hills of Conemara – G C G D, G C G D G)
–Chorus–
Fill up the duffel bag with the homemade Beer ,
the krips , the wellies and the camping gear
Social your distance and there’s nowt but cheer
At the Ball Alley near Nogra
Verse 1:
It’s Friday night and you’re ready to play ,
You havn’t left the house since Paddy’s day
You’re jeans don’t fit your ass no more
and you hair looks like a badgers’
–Chorus–
Verse 2:
You’ve got the young lads bike and the hi-vis on
Wondering were it all went wrong
The country lane is like Amsterdam
and the saddle could be wider
–Chorus–
Verse 3:
Jim OConnor is there and he’s a mighty host ,
he’s got the wind breaker strapped to the garden post
The pace starts slow and its pretty calm
and then in bowles in kilkelly
–Chorus–
Verse 4:
Three hours spent fighting over politics
The GAA, the weather and what’s on Netflix
Stay in by the ditches on the journey home
and don’t forget your face mask
Hi Christy,
Just fantastic to see yourself and Andy at HQ….. and a wonderful choice of Songs. Oh to be back in that Venue again!!!!!!
Lovely to hear you speak of your relationship with the Listeners and the influence of Hamish.
Happy new year to you and yours,,,, we will be all back on the road soon.
Christy's reply
I hear yourselves and Meath are getting back together….will Donie lose his seat…can the Senate last without him
Hi C, I have been polishing the screens today all the better to see you later. With Andy at 9 p.m. on the Aiken Media platforms from Vicar St and at 10.55 pm on tg4 ( N.B. Mary from Bogmeadow ! ) Honestly the filming of that gig seems like only the other day, it was a proper international gaggle and the heat !! Then the excitement when the DVD released at the next Barras gig. We gathered at the gaggle hotel off Georges Square and watched it on Adam’s laptop, I genuinely expected the dedications to be edited out but no, so tonight we will think of many 4711ers front row friends including Dave/ Primula RIP. I might also mention the TV programmes on RTE tonight on the Women’s Heart phenonmenon. Beir bua agus beannacht, H
Christy's reply
Seeing Primula there in the front row again was an emotional moment….
I hope you,family and all here had as relaxing a Christmas as possible, in Covid driven times…
All ok here, thankfully – heartened by great words and images (Imelda May, take a bow) and TG4 – greatly enjoyed 50 years of The Dubliners ‘ Parting Glass’ from 2012 RIP Barney a few weeks after the recording.
Enjoy the TG4 gig tonight – I’ll be scanning the archives – being a history geek, I’m used to being behind the times…
Hi Christy.. thon Bella came in under the radar.. hope you weren’t on the pier on her arrival.. This morning I lifted the guitar and after a few random chords, I was reminded of “Just a little lightbox”, to which I’ll enjoy working out the rest of; it’s a lovely song. Does that ever happen where you lift the guitar with no intention of playing any particular song but happen across a song..like magic! Have been listening to the “This is the day” album this past couple of days; easy listening and some brilliant songs…Victor Jara…So Do I…Companeros….the songs really are king.. Looking forward to hearing your new piece with Wally Page..
Keep er lit
Kev
Christy's reply
Playing to a group of youngsters in the Short Strand 20 years ago a wee lad called out “give us Victor O’Hara”
I love to sing Ewan’s “Companeros” ( “Good Ship Granma”) Singing here in the workroom its prob No 1 on my personal playlist
I have so few chords…”random”chords are outside my practice
The making of “This is The Day” was a great experience….Donal, Declan ,Myself and Tim Martin in County KIlkenny….twas magic
Hi Christy, I enjoyed catching up with Folk Tale this morning ‘a mix of tragedy, poetry and humour’. I had forgotten that Neil Martin along with The West Ocean String Quartet performed on it. In today’s Independent ‘If you do only one thing section…Tune in to Christy Moore, NCH. Alongside is a reference to Leonard Cohen’s brilliant concert in the O2 arena, London 2008. Coincidentally, May 5th that year we had the pleasure of seeing you in Belfast’s Waterfront (a long way from the Green Briar) and that August Leonard Cohen. The first song listed for your concert was After the Deluge…Storm Bella…I think I’d better dig out my famous blue raincoat. Go well!
Christy's reply
It will be easy spot you on “the road” in your blue raincoat…..I loved that session with Doctor Neil Martin and The West Ocean String Quartet….Neil can meld together players who seldom meet, players from different genres gel together beneath the gentle sway of his baton, the luxurious tone of his mighty Cello…
Dear Christy, I hope the Christmas time was good for you and all your clann. We did grand here, quiet small family days.
Your fella Luka kindly personalised a CD for our Christo. When he unpacked it he commented: now I have CDs personalised by the two brothers, Christy and Barry. Proud he is. Thanks to both of you.
I am looking forward to seeing you in the NCH. Last time I had a wee group together, including my best mate over here, Barry O’Farrell from Prosperous. This time he can’t be with us, he will be having a wee heart operation on that day in Düsseldorf. I suppose your request book is overflowing for the gig, but if you could give him a wee shout out it would be grand. You probably know the family. His dad Ned worked for the Bórd, and played a bit of music in Dowlings.
Mind yourself my friend.
Christy's reply
Pat…..Great to see Ned Farrell’s name …..Ned was at the heart of the Music when I began to visit Prosperous,County Kildare back in the early 60s….he was the first Bodhrán player we heard…he also was very encouraging to young players and singers always inviting us in to the circle….his introductions were legendary….he once described a young singer as “the greatest ballad singer in Europe”…..I have happy memories of those Wed night gatherings in Pat Dowlings Public House …..of the inevitable aftermaths in Davoc Rynne’s Cellar…..
Best wishes to Barry as he gets the “pump” serviced ….and to Christo too…happy listening
Yesterday my mother (83) and I had a great afternoon watching the DVD from the early years. From the early 80’s your music has been a part in her life as well. She encouraged me as a teenager to pick up the guitar and sing the songs. At home or at gigs. As a teenager herself she used to make music in the 50’s in a band called the Magnet Hawaians. Playing on a ukelele and singing songs. She visited one of your concerts in Amsterdam (Carre) in the 90’s.
We talked about your music, the videoclips (she didn’t recognize you with all the hair ) and all kinds of music on cd she has at home. Kind of ecclectical. Engelbert Humperdinck, Charles Aznavour, Beniamino Gigli, Robert Long and M(o)ore. Also Wally Page whom she met when he was over in the lowland lands.
It keeps her spirits high through these difficult times. It was a very enjoyable afternoon. Thank you for the DVD. Hope you and yours will have a good 2021.
John O
Christy's reply
Dear John O’ Dreams
Good to hear from you…next time I sing in Carré I hope to meet your Mother…wanna hear more about the Magnet Hawaians….
Wally and I have been canoodling up a new song..after 10 years its almost complete…we like to work at a leisurely pace….
Sending you best wishes…
Christy, I hope your Christmas was a blinder and wishing you a big 2021. Just giving you all the head’s up the Declan McLaughlin’s new album “The Path of Most Resistance” is out now. It’s absolutely sensational. How can I go about sending you a copy? For everyone else, you can get it here: https://declanmclaughlin.bandcamp.com/album/the-path-of-most-resistance
Christy's reply
Just listened to “Mary’s Eyes”….love the sound of Declan’s voice….I look forward to hearing this album
Hello Christy
Hope everything is ok with you and your family!
What a very special year, no live music, no traveling, Diego and Ennio died…
But in october my first grandchild ” Lily” was born and she is sweet as chocolate! So I can’t say 2020 was a terrible year.
I wish you, your family and all the 4711ers all the best for the new year and I’m sure of it someday we’ll meet again!
See you Chris
Christy's reply
Welcome to the World Lily…….you bring joy to your loved ones
Dear Christy,
I set off early , dumped the car and tramped up the majestic tall hill of Ruberslaw ,as the morning began to break.
I was on my own but with all you 4711ers as i climbed my way up.
It was a beautiful, clear, winter’s morning.
The sheep were being fed, the pheasants spooked by something left the wood, ice had formed in frozen streams where yesterday there was water, the thistle was frosted but unbowed and the air was thin and crisp.
Up i went and arrived at her summit at 8.10am today. I had the phone on, accompanying me, in my pocket during the yomp, playing a CM selection largely from On The Road, and i beamed a smile as broad as the Shannon and the Teviot combined ,as i crested her top to hear you singing Fairytale…and the bells were ringing out for Christmas day.
As you have said many times, every day is the right day for Fairytale.
I found a long lost acquaintance at the summit, he is the local farmer, with his wife and grown up kids, like me there to see the Christmas day sunrise, and it is not every day you find a fellow sole up there.
They were well wrapped up, like farmers should be, whereas i wS in my Irish Injured Jockeys Fund bobble hat and a few thin layers.
The photos and videos i got from the top were marvellous, the sun rising over the distant cheviots, reds, yellows, subtle blues and orange, it was breathtaking.
They were well prepared, a flask of ‘espresso martinis’ and i with nothing to offer in return bar a salutation.
The way back down was quicker, spurred on perhaps by songs of Frank Ryan and Joxer ,and as i arrived back at the car Go Move Shift was being played.
What a morning, beautiful and inspiring. I had seen the sun rise, the peace of Christmas descend ,and my parents were in good fettle when i arrived home.
Dad has just played Tom Barry’s Our Moment again, and wishes it had been released commercially, my folks adore it.
A great day , your music spurs us on each day Christy, to enjoy all we can of ‘nature’s abundance’.
Stay well, stay safe.
Rory
Christy's reply
what “spooked the pheasants”?
(should a question mark be in or outside inverted commas ?)
happy to hear that you’ve been in touch with Tom Barry
Your tramp up Ruberslaw is beautifully described
what exactly is an “espresso martini”?
Firey, might as well say furry
now I’m thinking fry-up….
Firy, not fairy
Also it’s true, I think but it could be through as well.
What do you think?
I think fiery
Hello Christy,
Thankyou for the thing from Vicar Street, it’s such a joy to hear you and Andy.
Here’s a link, if anyone is struggling to find a.
https://youtu.be/6VRx1Qx9-0s
A song about to be born, and it’s been brewing 10 years. Lovely.
Will it be funny, naughty, romantic, thoughtful or fairy. Maybe a few of those things?
I didn’t manage to give myself a day off fro over Christmas. Instead it stepped up. The peacock’s feather is coming on. Not quite ready to sleep in my lap, but I.m starting to hand feed it biscuits. Sounds like it’s turned into the full peacock.
Rebecca
Heavens Above……
Thanks for posting thon link…
Some people have a church they feel like home, we have Vicar Street… emotional journey to that special place, so many memories there and around.
Great choice of songs and lovely vocals by Andy. Take care dear friends. Xxx
Lets hope Harry dont knock it
What a great treat – thanks to you,Declan and TG4 for an ace late night gig.., let’s hope for gigs returning soon.
Keep well all
Dave
no sweat
Ola Christy,
I hope all is good with you and yours.
I was wondering if you ever got a chance to have a crack at the “The Ball Alley near Nogra (a Covid story…) ”? https://www.facebook.com/548856438/videos/10157539050231439/
The world needs a happy uplifting ‘gowler’ of a tune to get see us through to the vaccine.
here are the words:
(to the tune of the Hills of Conemara – G C G D, G C G D G)
–Chorus–
Fill up the duffel bag with the homemade Beer ,
the krips , the wellies and the camping gear
Social your distance and there’s nowt but cheer
At the Ball Alley near Nogra
Verse 1:
It’s Friday night and you’re ready to play ,
You havn’t left the house since Paddy’s day
You’re jeans don’t fit your ass no more
and you hair looks like a badgers’
–Chorus–
Verse 2:
You’ve got the young lads bike and the hi-vis on
Wondering were it all went wrong
The country lane is like Amsterdam
and the saddle could be wider
–Chorus–
Verse 3:
Jim OConnor is there and he’s a mighty host ,
he’s got the wind breaker strapped to the garden post
The pace starts slow and its pretty calm
and then in bowles in kilkelly
–Chorus–
Verse 4:
Three hours spent fighting over politics
The GAA, the weather and what’s on Netflix
Stay in by the ditches on the journey home
and don’t forget your face mask
Good man Tom..(thunder-thighs) its a right one
For the benefit of non Ireland residents – not sure how, but I’m getting TG4 live and watching ‘dreamers’ now… hallelujah – see you there! D
Buíocas le Día
Hi Christy,
Just fantastic to see yourself and Andy at HQ….. and a wonderful choice of Songs. Oh to be back in that Venue again!!!!!!
Lovely to hear you speak of your relationship with the Listeners and the influence of Hamish.
Happy new year to you and yours,,,, we will be all back on the road soon.
I hear yourselves and Meath are getting back together….will Donie lose his seat…can the Senate last without him
Hi C, I have been polishing the screens today all the better to see you later. With Andy at 9 p.m. on the Aiken Media platforms from Vicar St and at 10.55 pm on tg4 ( N.B. Mary from Bogmeadow ! ) Honestly the filming of that gig seems like only the other day, it was a proper international gaggle and the heat !! Then the excitement when the DVD released at the next Barras gig. We gathered at the gaggle hotel off Georges Square and watched it on Adam’s laptop, I genuinely expected the dedications to be edited out but no, so tonight we will think of many 4711ers front row friends including Dave/ Primula RIP. I might also mention the TV programmes on RTE tonight on the Women’s Heart phenonmenon. Beir bua agus beannacht, H
Seeing Primula there in the front row again was an emotional moment….
Hi Christy
I hope you,family and all here had as relaxing a Christmas as possible, in Covid driven times…
All ok here, thankfully – heartened by great words and images (Imelda May, take a bow) and TG4 – greatly enjoyed 50 years of The Dubliners ‘ Parting Glass’ from 2012 RIP Barney a few weeks after the recording.
Enjoy the TG4 gig tonight – I’ll be scanning the archives – being a history geek, I’m used to being behind the times…
All the best
Dave
I’ve always liked Patsy Watchorn’s singing
Hi Christy.. thon Bella came in under the radar.. hope you weren’t on the pier on her arrival.. This morning I lifted the guitar and after a few random chords, I was reminded of “Just a little lightbox”, to which I’ll enjoy working out the rest of; it’s a lovely song. Does that ever happen where you lift the guitar with no intention of playing any particular song but happen across a song..like magic! Have been listening to the “This is the day” album this past couple of days; easy listening and some brilliant songs…Victor Jara…So Do I…Companeros….the songs really are king.. Looking forward to hearing your new piece with Wally Page..
Keep er lit
Kev
Playing to a group of youngsters in the Short Strand 20 years ago a wee lad called out “give us Victor O’Hara”
I love to sing Ewan’s “Companeros” ( “Good Ship Granma”) Singing here in the workroom its prob No 1 on my personal playlist
I have so few chords…”random”chords are outside my practice
The making of “This is The Day” was a great experience….Donal, Declan ,Myself and Tim Martin in County KIlkenny….twas magic
P.S. Front row seat booked for TG4 at 11.30pm for Christy Moore Live: Come All You Dreamers. Thanks to Danny Morrison’s Twitter post!
no sweat
Hi Christy, I enjoyed catching up with Folk Tale this morning ‘a mix of tragedy, poetry and humour’. I had forgotten that Neil Martin along with The West Ocean String Quartet performed on it. In today’s Independent ‘If you do only one thing section…Tune in to Christy Moore, NCH. Alongside is a reference to Leonard Cohen’s brilliant concert in the O2 arena, London 2008. Coincidentally, May 5th that year we had the pleasure of seeing you in Belfast’s Waterfront (a long way from the Green Briar) and that August Leonard Cohen. The first song listed for your concert was After the Deluge…Storm Bella…I think I’d better dig out my famous blue raincoat. Go well!
It will be easy spot you on “the road” in your blue raincoat…..I loved that session with Doctor Neil Martin and The West Ocean String Quartet….Neil can meld together players who seldom meet, players from different genres gel together beneath the gentle sway of his baton, the luxurious tone of his mighty Cello…
Dear Christy, I hope the Christmas time was good for you and all your clann. We did grand here, quiet small family days.
Your fella Luka kindly personalised a CD for our Christo. When he unpacked it he commented: now I have CDs personalised by the two brothers, Christy and Barry. Proud he is. Thanks to both of you.
I am looking forward to seeing you in the NCH. Last time I had a wee group together, including my best mate over here, Barry O’Farrell from Prosperous. This time he can’t be with us, he will be having a wee heart operation on that day in Düsseldorf. I suppose your request book is overflowing for the gig, but if you could give him a wee shout out it would be grand. You probably know the family. His dad Ned worked for the Bórd, and played a bit of music in Dowlings.
Mind yourself my friend.
Pat…..Great to see Ned Farrell’s name …..Ned was at the heart of the Music when I began to visit Prosperous,County Kildare back in the early 60s….he was the first Bodhrán player we heard…he also was very encouraging to young players and singers always inviting us in to the circle….his introductions were legendary….he once described a young singer as “the greatest ballad singer in Europe”…..I have happy memories of those Wed night gatherings in Pat Dowlings Public House …..of the inevitable aftermaths in Davoc Rynne’s Cellar…..
Best wishes to Barry as he gets the “pump” serviced ….and to Christo too…happy listening
Dear Christy,
Yesterday my mother (83) and I had a great afternoon watching the DVD from the early years. From the early 80’s your music has been a part in her life as well. She encouraged me as a teenager to pick up the guitar and sing the songs. At home or at gigs. As a teenager herself she used to make music in the 50’s in a band called the Magnet Hawaians. Playing on a ukelele and singing songs. She visited one of your concerts in Amsterdam (Carre) in the 90’s.
We talked about your music, the videoclips (she didn’t recognize you with all the hair ) and all kinds of music on cd she has at home. Kind of ecclectical. Engelbert Humperdinck, Charles Aznavour, Beniamino Gigli, Robert Long and M(o)ore. Also Wally Page whom she met when he was over in the lowland lands.
It keeps her spirits high through these difficult times. It was a very enjoyable afternoon. Thank you for the DVD. Hope you and yours will have a good 2021.
John O
Dear John O’ Dreams
Good to hear from you…next time I sing in Carré I hope to meet your Mother…wanna hear more about the Magnet Hawaians….
Wally and I have been canoodling up a new song..after 10 years its almost complete…we like to work at a leisurely pace….
Sending you best wishes…
Christy, I hope your Christmas was a blinder and wishing you a big 2021. Just giving you all the head’s up the Declan McLaughlin’s new album “The Path of Most Resistance” is out now. It’s absolutely sensational. How can I go about sending you a copy? For everyone else, you can get it here: https://declanmclaughlin.bandcamp.com/album/the-path-of-most-resistance
Just listened to “Mary’s Eyes”….love the sound of Declan’s voice….I look forward to hearing this album
Hello Christy
Hope everything is ok with you and your family!
What a very special year, no live music, no traveling, Diego and Ennio died…
But in october my first grandchild ” Lily” was born and she is sweet as chocolate! So I can’t say 2020 was a terrible year.
I wish you, your family and all the 4711ers all the best for the new year and I’m sure of it someday we’ll meet again!
See you Chris
Welcome to the World Lily…….you bring joy to your loved ones
Hello Christy,
It’s been a strange one. Love to all.
Rebecca
there’s gonna be good times when all our dreams come true ( through ?)
Dear Christy,
I set off early , dumped the car and tramped up the majestic tall hill of Ruberslaw ,as the morning began to break.
I was on my own but with all you 4711ers as i climbed my way up.
It was a beautiful, clear, winter’s morning.
The sheep were being fed, the pheasants spooked by something left the wood, ice had formed in frozen streams where yesterday there was water, the thistle was frosted but unbowed and the air was thin and crisp.
Up i went and arrived at her summit at 8.10am today. I had the phone on, accompanying me, in my pocket during the yomp, playing a CM selection largely from On The Road, and i beamed a smile as broad as the Shannon and the Teviot combined ,as i crested her top to hear you singing Fairytale…and the bells were ringing out for Christmas day.
As you have said many times, every day is the right day for Fairytale.
I found a long lost acquaintance at the summit, he is the local farmer, with his wife and grown up kids, like me there to see the Christmas day sunrise, and it is not every day you find a fellow sole up there.
They were well wrapped up, like farmers should be, whereas i wS in my Irish Injured Jockeys Fund bobble hat and a few thin layers.
The photos and videos i got from the top were marvellous, the sun rising over the distant cheviots, reds, yellows, subtle blues and orange, it was breathtaking.
They were well prepared, a flask of ‘espresso martinis’ and i with nothing to offer in return bar a salutation.
The way back down was quicker, spurred on perhaps by songs of Frank Ryan and Joxer ,and as i arrived back at the car Go Move Shift was being played.
What a morning, beautiful and inspiring. I had seen the sun rise, the peace of Christmas descend ,and my parents were in good fettle when i arrived home.
Dad has just played Tom Barry’s Our Moment again, and wishes it had been released commercially, my folks adore it.
A great day , your music spurs us on each day Christy, to enjoy all we can of ‘nature’s abundance’.
Stay well, stay safe.
Rory
what “spooked the pheasants”?
(should a question mark be in or outside inverted commas ?)
happy to hear that you’ve been in touch with Tom Barry
Your tramp up Ruberslaw is beautifully described
what exactly is an “espresso martini”?
Didn’t mean to say Christ but I suppose it fits the season.
No sweat Len,it could happen to a Fishop