I gave the guitar a good lash at the weekend, the family loved it. Grandad appreciated The Town I Loved So Well, but also got a good laugh out of the DTs.
I was practicing there, and I was wondering where you came across those two verses of spancil hill, the ones beginning with “Delighted by the novelty” and “to amuse a passing fancy”, I was wondering if there was verses lost in time or created in the modern time perhaps?
An amazing young poet, Michael Considine.
-M
Christy's reply
I first heard “Spancilhill” in The Hotel, Tulla, County Clare in 1964. A woman sang it late that Sunday night. John Minogue was the man of the house. I asked him about the song and he vowed to get me the words. He arrived into The National Bank two days later with the words written out for me as promised. I learnt the song as written apart from two verses which did not appeal to me. 30 years passed before I learned the history of the song, the story of young Michael Considine who died tragically in exile .
Amazing concert on Saturday, your were amazing, loved the new stuff too and I was delighted you sang “They never came home”, from the time I brought that box set of discs I played that song over and over, along with a few other gems on that collection.
My husband and son loved it too, David sang all the way through, his second time seeing you (and he’s only 11!!).
Good luck with your tour, whoever has tickets are in for a real treat.
Linda
Christy's reply
Lovely to hear that your David is singing the songs at 11 years of age. I wish ye all well. I had two songs when I was David’s age. “Kevin Barry” and “The Meeting of The Waters”
Hi christy
From the boxset i wondered if ‘Roots’ from the Green disc was an inspiration for your brother composing Where I Come From?
Rory
Christy's reply
I doubt it Rory but I will ask him… I’ll have to go back and listen to “Roots” myself… you constantly lead me back to the old “Box Set 1964-2004” Thanks for that… it gets me away from the current collection..gives my head a bit of peace
Thanks Dave!
I’m a bit of a gimp these days what with 2 knees replaced & 1 hip likewise and no real success with any of the buggers …
Apart from that …? Fighting’ fit !
But ta for the literary heads up – I’ll consult with The Bride
Love this site – there’s no bullshit – just good people with good hearts & music
Hello all
Apols for the site hijack…Danny,if you’re wandering,not too far from Covent Garden…this amazing book shop is in a fascinating area of Bloomsbury…near The British Museum and opposite a cracking Italian restaurant!!
Made it …
a pint of the local drop at All-Bar-One, while ❤️ & grandson explore
I gotta say – these links listed here are really great: thanks Hilary, Rebeccah, Dagrab etc
Plenty for me to dive into when back in New Holland
Ireland in a few days
Regards to all
Danny Harris
An Aussie in King Arthur’s Court (not really)
Christy's reply
Sail on Hazzo….will ye be dropping anchor in Dublin Bay ?
The third is a YouTube channel full to the ginnels with new videos of you and others. Hilary, does this have anything to do with you? Anyway, whoever is posting up the gems, for us poor folk who are pining for the gigs, it’s Shangri-la. https://youtube.com/@allirelandmusic?si=REbogbGlUBGjqTV5
Rebecca
Christy's reply
You’re providing a brace of goodies Rebecca….all welcome distractions from toils of the day
Hello Christy,
I have a few treasures to share this morning. The first is a film about the music scene in West Clare. I watched the trailer and thought it looked brilliant. It’s on its way here now. You may see one or two familiar faces. https://thejobofsongs.com/
I posted last night,but it got nobbled en route…here goes…
Woodyfest looks brilliant every year.i saw info that there’s a competition this year. For under 18s,to write a song in Woody ‘s style.As there’s a growing,younger audience for you,I thought it worth a mention. Can’t see anything that restricts entries to US citizens etc,but anyone interested could get details via email Kidsfest@woodyfest.com
Thankfully,Woody’s legacy is vibrant and fascinating.
No Pasaran
Dave
Christy's reply
“Say there did you hear the news”
“Take a trip with me in 1913”
“‘ Twas early Springtime and the Strike was on”
“Come gather round me people and a story I will tell”
Hi Christy.. got to hear your singing of Pete Kavanaghs ‘The Darkness Before Dawn’ and it’s lodged in the skull now..a great song..trying to learn it on piano.. PS Did you hear the quare Springsteen opened his Kilkenny gig with MacGowan’s ‘Rainy Night in Soho’ last night..
Christy's reply
Pete Kavanagh’s song will be on the next album, if all goes according to plan.Its an emotion filled song from the Naas Troubadour. It was great to meet Pete and his wife Pamela at a recent gig in Kilashee. I sang his song that night, the only outing so far….
I’m reminded of the Yorkshire Dales’ farmers talking to James and Siegfried in “All Creatures….”. Great programme. A quaint use of not ‘quite understatement’ but yet blunt
“Summat nowt” Mister ‘erriot.”
Heres a poem in Yorkshire dialect.
Written bu John Hartley of Galifax
1839 to 1915
‘I thi’ Gronfayther’s Days
A’a Johnny! A’a Johnny! Aw’m sooary for thee!
But come thi ways to me, an sit o’ mi knee,
For it’s shockin’ to hearken to th’ words ‘at tha says,
Ther wor nooan sich like things i’ thi gronfayther’s days.
When aw wor a lad, lads wor lads, tha knows then,
But nahdays they owt to be ‘shamed o’ thersen,
For they smook, an’ they drink, an’ get other bad ways,
Things wor different once i’ thi gronfayther’s days.
Aw remember th’ furst day aw went a coortin’ a bit,
An’ walked aght thi gronny, awst niver forget,
For we blushed wol us faces wor all in a blaze,
It wor nooa sin to blush i’ thi’ gronfayther’s days
Ther’s nooa lasses nah, John, ‘at’s fit to be wed,
They’ve false teech i’ ther math, an false hair o’ ther heead,
They’re a make up o’ buckram, an’ waddin’ an’ stays,
But a lass wor a lass i’ thi gronfyther’s days.
At that time a tradesman dealt fairly wi’ th’ poor,
But nah a fair dealer can’t keep open th’ duer,
He’s a fooil if he fails, he’s a scamp if he pays,
Ther wor honest men lived I’ thi gronfayther’s days.
Ther’s chimleys an’ factrys i’ ivery nook nah,
But ther’s varry few ledt ‘at con fodder a caah,
An’ ther’s telegraff poles all o’th edge o’th highways,
Whear grew bonny green trees i’ thi gronfyther’s days.
We’re teld to be thankful for blessin’s at’s sent,
An’ aw hooap ‘at th’ll allus be blessed wi’ content,
Tha mun make th’ best tha con o’ this world wol tha stays,
But aw wish tha’d been born i’ thi gronfyther’s days.
Christy's reply
reminds me of my old Buddy the late Tony Capstick….
grandparents unable to understand the ways of the young..
some things have not changed in the past 100 years
Before my time my grandma took part in a play written in Yorkshire dialect. My mum told me all about it. It feels very natural round here.
Rebecca
Christy's reply
I’m thinking of Alastair Cameron…he was a Scottish singer living in exile around Causeway Foot in the 1960s….his Scottish take on Yorkshire dialect after a gallon of Websters still resounds from those heady days
Hi C. RTE seem to have suddenly re discovered you since your recent birthday !! They played this, one of my favourite songs, just after 1 am https://youtu.be/WcFV6swrf2U?si=t2_TZA4Rvp8kphnA Beir bua agus beannacht. H
Hi Christy. Really enjoyed last night’s concert. Looking forward to you coming to The Kingdom in June.
Thanks
Mars
Christy's reply
me too….I love the spin… once we get thru Adare…..up past Castleisland… on towards Knockngoshel…. past Lyracrompane …. catch a few pinkeens in the Feale
Hi christy,
The wife’s dad is 94yo , up here with him keeping spirits up ( as the health wanes) by talking about his pit years from the midlands.
It makes me think of 2 songs, as he is reminiscing, Billy Bragg ‘which side are you on’ and your version of the Blantyre Explosion.
Rory
Christy's reply
“in the evening after dark,
the blackleg miners go to work
wid their moleskin trousars and dirty shirts
there go the blackleg miners
Hi C. Patsy hits the nail on the head there, the power of your current ‘ political/ social.justice ‘ songs is amazing. Palestine, Lyra,They Never Came Home, Rosalita & Jack Cambell, How Long the way you delivered them and the way they were received packed a huge emotional punch last night, every night really. Maybe the fact the gig was on while the Eurovision was being broadcast added to the atmosphere ? GRMMA. This is an excellent piece from RTE on your long career of speaking out on important issues https://www.rte.ie/history/stardust/2024/0510/1448511-christy-moore-and-the-stardust-tragedy/ Beir bua agus beannacht. H
Christy's reply
I’d have missed that…well spotted…
my Grandmother used to say…paper never refuses ink !!
sure beats standing in front to Judge Frank Murphy..and him at the beck and call of Eamon Butterly
Good Evening Christy,
I gave the guitar a good lash at the weekend, the family loved it. Grandad appreciated The Town I Loved So Well, but also got a good laugh out of the DTs.
I was practicing there, and I was wondering where you came across those two verses of spancil hill, the ones beginning with “Delighted by the novelty” and “to amuse a passing fancy”, I was wondering if there was verses lost in time or created in the modern time perhaps?
An amazing young poet, Michael Considine.
-M
I first heard “Spancilhill” in The Hotel, Tulla, County Clare in 1964. A woman sang it late that Sunday night. John Minogue was the man of the house. I asked him about the song and he vowed to get me the words. He arrived into The National Bank two days later with the words written out for me as promised. I learnt the song as written apart from two verses which did not appeal to me. 30 years passed before I learned the history of the song, the story of young Michael Considine who died tragically in exile .
Hi Christy,
Amazing concert on Saturday, your were amazing, loved the new stuff too and I was delighted you sang “They never came home”, from the time I brought that box set of discs I played that song over and over, along with a few other gems on that collection.
My husband and son loved it too, David sang all the way through, his second time seeing you (and he’s only 11!!).
Good luck with your tour, whoever has tickets are in for a real treat.
Linda
Lovely to hear that your David is singing the songs at 11 years of age. I wish ye all well. I had two songs when I was David’s age. “Kevin Barry” and “The Meeting of The Waters”
Hi christy
From the boxset i wondered if ‘Roots’ from the Green disc was an inspiration for your brother composing Where I Come From?
Rory
I doubt it Rory but I will ask him… I’ll have to go back and listen to “Roots” myself… you constantly lead me back to the old “Box Set 1964-2004” Thanks for that… it gets me away from the current collection..gives my head a bit of peace
Well Christy,
I hope you enjoyed Davóg’s home coming, it was great sucess and I have a few more gigs with different artists lined up in the Four Provinces.
We will be down to see yourself in Kilkenny on June 9th, looking forward to it, till then, take it easy and mind yourself.
Jason.
that was a great session Jason…Thank You…..we enjoyed Davóg’s homecoming gig ….it was very well run …
Good luck,Danny
If you make it to Bloomsbury,there are interesting shops etc and ‘squares’/parks for the young lad to run off some energy!! D
Thanks Dave!
I’m a bit of a gimp these days what with 2 knees replaced & 1 hip likewise and no real success with any of the buggers …
Apart from that …? Fighting’ fit !
But ta for the literary heads up – I’ll consult with The Bride
Love this site – there’s no bullshit – just good people with good hearts & music
Hello all
http://www.bookmarksbookshop.co.uk
Hi Christy
Apols for the site hijack…Danny,if you’re wandering,not too far from Covent Garden…this amazing book shop is in a fascinating area of Bloomsbury…near The British Museum and opposite a cracking Italian restaurant!!
Enjoy the travels.
Dave
Made it …
a pint of the local drop at All-Bar-One, while ❤️ & grandson explore
I gotta say – these links listed here are really great: thanks Hilary, Rebeccah, Dagrab etc
Plenty for me to dive into when back in New Holland
Ireland in a few days
Regards to all
Danny Harris
An Aussie in King Arthur’s Court (not really)
Sail on Hazzo….will ye be dropping anchor in Dublin Bay ?
The third is a YouTube channel full to the ginnels with new videos of you and others. Hilary, does this have anything to do with you? Anyway, whoever is posting up the gems, for us poor folk who are pining for the gigs, it’s Shangri-la.
https://youtube.com/@allirelandmusic?si=REbogbGlUBGjqTV5
Rebecca
You’re providing a brace of goodies Rebecca….all welcome distractions from toils of the day
The second is a YouTube video of the Cover of Rainy night in Soho by Bruce Springsteen, mentioned by Kevin.
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/bruce-springsteen-cover-a-rainy-night-in-soho-1235019413/
Rebecca
Hello Christy,
I have a few treasures to share this morning. The first is a film about the music scene in West Clare. I watched the trailer and thought it looked brilliant. It’s on its way here now. You may see one or two familiar faces.
https://thejobofsongs.com/
Rebecca
Hi Christy
I posted last night,but it got nobbled en route…here goes…
Woodyfest looks brilliant every year.i saw info that there’s a competition this year. For under 18s,to write a song in Woody ‘s style.As there’s a growing,younger audience for you,I thought it worth a mention. Can’t see anything that restricts entries to US citizens etc,but anyone interested could get details via email
Kidsfest@woodyfest.com
Thankfully,Woody’s legacy is vibrant and fascinating.
No Pasaran
Dave
“Say there did you hear the news”
“Take a trip with me in 1913”
“‘ Twas early Springtime and the Strike was on”
“Come gather round me people and a story I will tell”
Who’ll be first here with the 4 song titles
Hi Christy.. got to hear your singing of Pete Kavanaghs ‘The Darkness Before Dawn’ and it’s lodged in the skull now..a great song..trying to learn it on piano.. PS Did you hear the quare Springsteen opened his Kilkenny gig with MacGowan’s ‘Rainy Night in Soho’ last night..
Pete Kavanagh’s song will be on the next album, if all goes according to plan.Its an emotion filled song from the Naas Troubadour. It was great to meet Pete and his wife Pamela at a recent gig in Kilashee. I sang his song that night, the only outing so far….
I’m reminded of the Yorkshire Dales’ farmers talking to James and Siegfried in “All Creatures….”. Great programme. A quaint use of not ‘quite understatement’ but yet blunt
“Summat nowt” Mister ‘erriot.”
I could’nt have put it better myself Ed..
Heres a poem in Yorkshire dialect.
Written bu John Hartley of Galifax
1839 to 1915
‘I thi’ Gronfayther’s Days
A’a Johnny! A’a Johnny! Aw’m sooary for thee!
But come thi ways to me, an sit o’ mi knee,
For it’s shockin’ to hearken to th’ words ‘at tha says,
Ther wor nooan sich like things i’ thi gronfayther’s days.
When aw wor a lad, lads wor lads, tha knows then,
But nahdays they owt to be ‘shamed o’ thersen,
For they smook, an’ they drink, an’ get other bad ways,
Things wor different once i’ thi gronfayther’s days.
Aw remember th’ furst day aw went a coortin’ a bit,
An’ walked aght thi gronny, awst niver forget,
For we blushed wol us faces wor all in a blaze,
It wor nooa sin to blush i’ thi’ gronfayther’s days
Ther’s nooa lasses nah, John, ‘at’s fit to be wed,
They’ve false teech i’ ther math, an false hair o’ ther heead,
They’re a make up o’ buckram, an’ waddin’ an’ stays,
But a lass wor a lass i’ thi gronfyther’s days.
At that time a tradesman dealt fairly wi’ th’ poor,
But nah a fair dealer can’t keep open th’ duer,
He’s a fooil if he fails, he’s a scamp if he pays,
Ther wor honest men lived I’ thi gronfayther’s days.
Ther’s chimleys an’ factrys i’ ivery nook nah,
But ther’s varry few ledt ‘at con fodder a caah,
An’ ther’s telegraff poles all o’th edge o’th highways,
Whear grew bonny green trees i’ thi gronfyther’s days.
We’re teld to be thankful for blessin’s at’s sent,
An’ aw hooap ‘at th’ll allus be blessed wi’ content,
Tha mun make th’ best tha con o’ this world wol tha stays,
But aw wish tha’d been born i’ thi gronfyther’s days.
reminds me of my old Buddy the late Tony Capstick….
grandparents unable to understand the ways of the young..
some things have not changed in the past 100 years
Hello Christy,
Great to see interest in Yorkshire dialect.
https://metro.co.uk/2024/05/11/teach-yorkshire-accent-schools-risk-dying-pleads-teacher-20819257/
Before my time my grandma took part in a play written in Yorkshire dialect. My mum told me all about it. It feels very natural round here.
Rebecca
I’m thinking of Alastair Cameron…he was a Scottish singer living in exile around Causeway Foot in the 1960s….his Scottish take on Yorkshire dialect after a gallon of Websters still resounds from those heady days
Hi C. RTE seem to have suddenly re discovered you since your recent birthday !! They played this, one of my favourite songs, just after 1 am https://youtu.be/WcFV6swrf2U?si=t2_TZA4Rvp8kphnA Beir bua agus beannacht. H
Wally’s smile …..I still feel his warmth
Hi Christy. Really enjoyed last night’s concert. Looking forward to you coming to The Kingdom in June.
Thanks
Mars
me too….I love the spin… once we get thru Adare…..up past Castleisland… on towards Knockngoshel…. past Lyracrompane …. catch a few pinkeens in the Feale
Hi christy,
The wife’s dad is 94yo , up here with him keeping spirits up ( as the health wanes) by talking about his pit years from the midlands.
It makes me think of 2 songs, as he is reminiscing, Billy Bragg ‘which side are you on’ and your version of the Blantyre Explosion.
Rory
“in the evening after dark,
the blackleg miners go to work
wid their moleskin trousars and dirty shirts
there go the blackleg miners
Hi C. Patsy hits the nail on the head there, the power of your current ‘ political/ social.justice ‘ songs is amazing. Palestine, Lyra,They Never Came Home, Rosalita & Jack Cambell, How Long the way you delivered them and the way they were received packed a huge emotional punch last night, every night really. Maybe the fact the gig was on while the Eurovision was being broadcast added to the atmosphere ? GRMMA. This is an excellent piece from RTE on your long career of speaking out on important issues https://www.rte.ie/history/stardust/2024/0510/1448511-christy-moore-and-the-stardust-tragedy/ Beir bua agus beannacht. H
I’d have missed that…well spotted…
my Grandmother used to say…paper never refuses ink !!
sure beats standing in front to Judge Frank Murphy..and him at the beck and call of Eamon Butterly