MARCH AND JUNE 2019 DATES ADDED TO CALENDAR
Dear Listeners,
We have added March 2019 dates in Wexford, Offaly, Meath and Monaghan, as well as two June shows at the Hawk’s Well Theatre in Sligo.
Further details here on the gig page
Christy …
EIGHT MORE SHOWS ANNOUNCED FOR 2019
Dear Listeners,
There is lots of news for you this morning. We have new dates confirmed for 2019. Naas, Mullingar, Gormanston, Carrick on Shannon, Cavan, Limerick, Letterkenny and Waterford are all going on sale in the next few days.
Further details here on the gig page
Christy …
FOUR EXTRA SHOWS ON SALE FRIDAY SEPT. 7TH
Dear Listeners,
We have added Four Extra Vicar Street Shows to the calendar in the New Year!
Tues Jan 8th, Wed Jan 9th, Mon Jan 14th and Tues Jan 15th will all go on sale Friday Sept. 7th.
Further details here on the gig page
Christy …
VICAR STREET TICKETS NOW ON SALE
Dear Listeners,
We are pleased to let you know that our annual December/January shows in Vicar St. are now on sale …
Further details here on the gig page
Christy …
VICAR STREET – DECEMBER 2018 AND JANUARY 2019
Dear Listeners,
We are pleased to let you know that our annual December/January shows in Vicar St. are going on sale next Wednesday Aug 29th at 9AM.
Further details here on the gig page
Christy …
SECOND SHOW ADDED FOR GEORGE BERNARD SHAW THEATRE
Dear Listeners,
We are adding a second show for the George Bernard Shaw Theatre, Carlow on Saturday Sept 8th. Tickets available from the Theatre Box Office Thursday Aug 9th.
More ticket information here on the gig page
Christy …
RETURN VISIT TO CLONMEL PARK HOTEL
Dear Listeners,
We have just confirmed a return to the Clonmel Park Hotel on Saturday Sept 15th. Tickets go on sale Fri Aug 3rd.
More ticket information here on the gig page
Christy …
SECOND SHOWS ADDED IN RATOATH AND BRAY
Dear Listeners,
We have some terrific news. Second Shows have been added to Ratoath and Bray this summer.
Saturday July 28th, at the Venue Theatre, Ratoath. On sale Wed July 11th.
Saturday Aug 11th, at the Mermaid Arts Centre, Bray. On sale Sat July 14th.
More ticket information here on the gig page
Christy …
SHOWS ANNOUNCED IN RATOATH AND BRAY
Dear Listeners,
Here are two new Solo performances for you to look forward to this summer.
Venue Theatre, Ratoath on Fri July 27th, and Mermaid Arts Centre, Bray on Fri Aug 10th. Both on sale next week.
More ticket information here on the gig page
Christy …
JUNE 2018
Liverpool Philharmonic. May 5th
1.North and South of The River.
2.Quinte Brigada
3.Black is The Colour
4.McIlhatton
5.Lingo Politico
6.Burning Times.
7.Does this Train stop on Merseyside
8.Morecambe Bay.
9.Missing You
10.Quiet Desperation.
11.Irish Pagan Ritual
12.Go Move Shift.
13.Gortatagort
14.No Time for Love.
15.Raggle Taggle Gypsy
16 Cliffs of Dooneen
17.Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Russian Roulette
18.Voyage
19.Amsterdam
20.Yellow Triangle
21.Fairytale of New York
22.City of Chicago
23.Joxer in Stuttgart
24.Ride On.
25.Ordinary man.
26 John O Dreams
- Leaving of Liverpool
Kicked off in Liverpool. Always a great reception here since my first gig in Jacqui & Bridie’s Folk Club in 1967.
Many long-haul listeners last night, some crossed from Ireland, others came from Germany, Holland and France. we had a contingent down from Scotland.
I was delighted to meet Margaret and Irene who’ve been listening since we first met in Liverpool 50 years ago. And there they were last night, still full of their heart-warming enthusiasm for the songs.
Manchester Bridgewater May 6th
1.North and South of The River
2.Quinte Brigada
3.Black is The Colour
4.Lingo politico
5.Missing You
6.Beeswing
7.Go Move Shift
8.Companeros
9.Nancy Spain
10.Ordinary Man
11.Burning Times
12.Lisdoonvarna
13.Cliffs of Dooneen
14.Lightning Bird Wind River Man
15.Irish Pagan Ritual
16.Voyage
17.Fairytale of New York
18.Ride On
19.Billy Gray
21.Smoke & Strong Whiskey
22.The Dalesman’s Litany
23.Delerium Tremens
24.John O’Dreams
25.No Time for Love
Back again to where my journey first began. My singing started in child hood and continued through choirs, musicals, operettas and early rock & roll.
In my mid-teens I started into Folk Songs and guitar and the flame was lit. aged 21 I got my first real gig in Manchester and the tour began.
I’ll hit the 73 mark tomorrow and still the tour goes on. In 1966 I had a cheap guitar, a donkey jacket, a sleeping bag and very little else. 2018 and I have 3 fellow musicians, we have a crew of 8, a 40-foot truck and two minivans, but the heart of the matter is still the songs
That first gig was in The Old House at Home, an old pub in the suburb Blakeley. the room held 50 max and Mike Harding ran the club with Patricia. the entrance was 3/6 (three shillings and sixpence). Mike was host and compere, other (floor) singers that night was Tony Downes, Mike Canavan, Mary Asquith. I was the “turn” for the night and two 20-minute sets, about 12 songs in all. No microphones back then, lots of camaraderie and Wilsons Ale. Accommodation was floor space to roll out the sleeping bag (I stayed in 9 Kathkin Ave, Crumpsall) These times its major venues and hotels.
Free Day in Manchester May 7th.
Unlike earlier years, in recent times I need to rest the voice after 2 gigs. I can manage 2 gigs, take a night off, then 2 more gigs. these past years I have limited my UK stints to 4 gigs. This seems to suit everyone, most of us have families, some with young children, others with chadults and grand-children. those days of long long tours are over … Aberdeen Tuesday, Brighton Wednesday, Inverness Thursday….
so here I am on my 73rd Birthday, hiding from the heatwave with curtains drawn in a hotel room…resting the vocals, not talking, catching up, watching the Snooker, looking forward to a Rogan Josh and a few chapatis. I first encountered Indian Cuisine back in 1968. Dave and Heather Brady took me to Lumb Lane in Bradford (Saheed’s) where my taste buds first experienced the joy of Curry. later I would frequent Brick Lane in London, Moss Side in Manchester, Kushis in Edinburgh and many of the small eating houses frequented by working people from India and Pakistan.
May 8th. Morning early
Another day dawns. 7am, I wake, and thoughts turn instantly to tonight’s gig in Birmingham. I must try and play Matty, Cry Like a Man, Little Musgrave, Flickering Reel, tonight, maybe The Sun is Burning, I’ve not gigged that song for 30 years but learnt it in Birmingham. Barr na Sráide too, first, I must get up and put on the kettle. Its 100 miles today down the M6 – first time I played Birmingham they were still building the M6
Now we’re on that M6. the congestion is giving me indigestion. I spent 10 mins looking into Walsall Football Club and now Aston Villa is looming, but very slowly. we’re heading for the Symphony Hall tonight. It’s a real royal top notch venue where you could eat your dinner off the floor. It’s a long long way from “The Old Contemptible” pub where Mick Hipkiss ran his Folk Club 50 years ago. I tootled into town in my old blue 1956 VW Beetle like I was on the pigs back. I could not believe my good fortune to be living the life of a folk singer. To be on the road hearing new music, making new friends. here in the Midlands I heard “Boys of Barr na Sraide”, Come by The Hill” “The Sun Is Burning”, Hey Sandy”, “The Old Man’s Song”, “Letter to Syracuse” and “John O’Dreams”. met Ian and Lorna Cambell, Bob Cooney, The Munstermen, Dave Phillips, Dave Pegg, John Swift, Tommy Dempsey. living the dream, hearing the songs.
Evening May 8th Birmingham Royal Symphony Hall
I’d forgotten what a great venue this is – in the heart of the City. We got in at 4.30 for strong tea, sweet cake and a nice long sound check. some days the soundcheck is a routine matter and other days it can become a jam or a rehearsal. David Meade checks every corner and crevice to ensure that the sound travels to every seat. Dickon Whitehead mixes the monitor sound giving each of us what we need to hear. Geoff Ryan focuses the lights doing his best to hide treble chins and stained wardrobe. John Meade insures that the stage is set up precisely, all four positions to the inch, guitars restrung and tuned. come 7.30 we commence our warm up play until Michael Devine gives us the showtime ultimatum. out we go into the lap of the gods, out to face the assembled listeners from near and far, always hoping that we can deliver, determined to do so….
1.North and South
2.City of Chicago
3.McIlhatton
4.Burning Times.
5.Missing You
6.Cry like a man
7.Lingo Politico
8.Irsh Pagan Ritual
9.Hiroshima Nagasaki Russian Roulette
10.Cliffs of Dooneen
11.Raggle Taggle Gypsy
12.Bright Blue Rose
13.Quince Brigada
14.John O’Dreams
15Lisdoonvarna
16.Stitch in Time
17.Delerium Tremens
18.Magdalene Laundry
19.Go Move Shift
20.Billy Gray
21.Voyage
22.Fairytale of New York
23.Beeswing
24.Ordinary Man
25.Ride on
- No Time for Love
Early Morning May 9th
Different atmosphere in Birmingham. Neither better or worse, just different. at every gig my antenna is out, I’m wondering, wondering, trying to figure it all out, what will I play next, where to go from here. I seek to play something different every night, last night “Cry Like a Man “appeared from nowhere. sometimes I read it wrong but what matter! last night I had a sense of listeners travelling from all directions. I thought back to all those midland towns I played in my apprenticeship; Coventry, Wolverhampton, Walsall and an array of Cities Towns and Villages all boasting their own unique Folk Clubs. during the gig I fantasised that all those Folk Clubs had thronged into the Symphony Hall, that I was playing in a HUGE Folk Club to an assembly of old friends. then the lights went up to reveal eighteen hundred smiling applauding listeners most of them not born when those old Folk Clubs were in existence … all ages genders shapes sizes colours and religions united by the power of song. these songs don’t rely on fashion, pumped up PR, stage effect nor costume. some of these songs have resounded for centuries across borders over mountain valley and plain….
…. These times basket is brimming with a mixture of old and new…some ancient songs side by side with recent compositions…in my mind they sit well together…”The Well below The Valley” with “Burning Times”, “Dunlavin Green” with “No Time for Love” “Lisdoonvarna” with “The Rocky Road” …. Bob Dylan with Wally Page…. Joni Mitchell with Natalie Merchant… and a few of my own thrown in at the deep end….
now it’s time to pack the bags and head to York…
May 9th York Barbican Theatre
1.North and South
2.Go Move Shift
3.Cry Like A Man
4.McIlhatton
5.Morecambe Bay
6.Lingo politico
7.Nancy Spain
8.Irish Pagan Ritual
9.Burning Times
10.Fairytale New York
11.First Time ever I saw your face
12.Viva la Quince Brigada
13.Smoke and Strong Whiskey
14.Raggle Taggle Gypsy
15.Missing You
16.Black is the Colour
17.Hiroshima Nagasaki
18.Voyage
19.Ordinary man
20.The Dalesman’s Litany
21.Lisdoonvarna
22.Ride On
23.No Time for Love
…and so, we wrapped up a most enjoyable and successful (mini) English Tour. all 4 gigs went very well, and we encountered no major difficulties along the way. the trip home had added dimension that I’d not encountered before – we carried home the ashes of a Lady …a much-loved Aunt to one of our crew. this Lady lived most of her life in England spending her later years in a retirement home. she always longed to return home and we carried her on her final journey last night.
Michael and I boarded the 3am Irish Ferry out of Holyhead. 4 hours later I was home in the Kitchen, the kettle was on ….
Thank you all for making it work
Christy
TWO SHOWS ANNOUNCED AT THE PAVILION THEATRE, DUN LAOGHAIRE
Dear Listeners,
On Sale Wednesday June 27th at 12 noon.
Pavilion Theatre Dun Laoghaire, Fri August 31st and Sat September 1st.
More ticket information here on the gig page
Christy …
Cappoquin Community Centre and Charleville Park Hotel
Dear Listeners,
Here are two new dates for the diary:
Friday Sept 14th – Cappoquin Community Centre
Friday Nov 23rd – Charleville Park Hotel
Both dates go on sale Monday July 2nd.
More ticket information here on the gig page
Christy …
Christy Returns to The GBS, Carlow
Dear Listeners,
Tickets are now on sale for a Solo show Friday September 7th at the George Bernard Shaw Theatre in Carlow.
More ticket information here on the gig page
Christy …
National Concert Hall Releases Additional Seats
Dear Listeners,
The National Concert Hall has released additional Choir seats for next week’s shows on June 20th and 21st.
Seats on sale Wednesday June 13th at 10AM.
More ticket information here on the gig page
Christy
Third Solo Show Announced for the Hawk’s Well Theatre, Sligo
Dear Listeners
We are pleased to let you know that a third Solo show has been added to the list at Hawk’s Well Theatre, Sligo. Tickets on sale from the venue today for show date Friday June 15th.
More ticket information here on the gig page
Christy …
Second Show at the National Concert Hall Now on Sale
Dear Listeners
We have added a second summer show at the National Concert Hall, Dublin.
Tickets on sale now for gig on Thursday June 21st.
More ticket information here on the gig page
Christy …
Second Show Announced for Bundoran
Dear Listeners
We have added a second show in Bundoran!
Tickets go on sale May 1st for new show on Saturday Oct 20th, 2018.
More ticket information here on the gig page
Christy …
Athy gig announced at DREAMLAND BALLROOM
Dear Listeners,
Tickets go on sale this week for a show at the Dreamland Ballroom, Athy (a/k/a/ A.R.C.H) on Thursday July 19th.
More ticket information here on the gig page
Christy …
March 2018
Early 2017
It’s been a long time since the last chat. I tried to start a few times but ran out of steam, ground to a halt. Chats usually come together when I am on the road, away from home for a few days. In recent months all the work has been home based. I have been very busy here in the workroom, but busy in a way that defies inclusion. Hopefully there will be something to show for it in due course. So far this year the work has been most enjoyable. When he is available we have been joined by Cathal Hayden on Fiddle and Banjo. A masterful player of Traditional Irish Music he is also an exceptionally gifted contributor to songs. Tasteful and creative, prepared to take chances, to risk a riff, to solo into the (almost) unknown. I love that, Declan has it in spades. Playing with Declan Sinnott, Cathal Hayden and Jimmy Higgins these past months has been exhilarating for this singer. Recent nights in Vicar St, Naas, Mullingar, Ennis, Clonmel, Limerick, Waterford, Dungarvan and Gormanstown have found us hitting some sweet notes and having fun and frolics with our loyal and enthusiastic listeners. Lots of new songsters turning out to hear the songs, many visitors flying in from distant climes to share a chorus with us. The ongoing phenomenon is truly humbling and the encouragement, listening, and commitment is always appreciated and never taken for granted. Last year’s LILY CD and JOURNEY DVD are done and dusted, safely installed on the shelf here in the work room. The Planxty retrospective also entered the archive.
Early 2018
All in all, 2017 was quite a busy year. Now we are stuck into 2018 and looking ahead. Scotland looms once more. A new venue in Hamilton for which we have been rehearsing a particular song. Then on to Auld Reekie and the RCH before climbing the stair one more time – “to hell or to heaven we’ll go”. I have decided to do a series of Solo Gigs this year in the month of June. It is such a different experience. I did 2 solo gigs in Carlow and Carrick-On-Suir last year. Initially I felt totally exposed by the sparse sound and the lack of colour but as the evening continued I began to rediscover the freedom of solo playing. Old songs long since forgotten appeared out of the mist of time. It seems easier to busk intros and to gallop off in different directions. It’s also strange at first being alone in the dressing room, both while preparing for the gig and, even more so, in reflection afterwards. I have various recording plans in mind – about 5 different albums wrestling in my head, but one is already in preparation and may see the light of day in the Autumn. Lots of interesting gigs in place and I am happy to be returning to The Marquee in Cork. We have now played it every year (bar one) since its inception. We’ll give it De Banks. Back to Southern England in the Autumn. Delighted to play the Royal Festival Hall again in September plus a few other Cities not yet confirmed. Something I must share – In recent years I have received songs from hundreds of writers. I regret that I simply cannot respond to you all. I do my best to listen but I have work here that I must prioritise on a daily basis… maybe I will one day get to listen to them all.
The tour continues, the songs reverberate, new listeners turn up as others move on to fresh pastures. We spent a lot of time last year assembling the tracks that made up “On the Road” which was released a few months back and has been well received. It was only after it was released that I remembered the name of my first album, “Paddy on The Road” which was released in 1968. A small part of me still lingers in that Old World but most of me has moved on to these more-or-less enlightened times. I love this current band with Declan Sinnott, Jim Higgins and Cathal Hayden. It’s a pure song band – everyone working towards the song, no other agenda among the rank and file. Lovely spontaneous music which lifts the songs every night. We have loose structures, We have neither set list or running order. Breaks and instrumentals emerge depending upon “the feel’ on any given night.
17th March 2018
Here we are on St. Patrick’s Day 2018. Our lives have been turned upside down by the passing of Liam O’Flynn during the week. We bade him farewell yesterday. 6 of us had the lonesome honour of shouldering our beloved comrade into the Church in Kill, County Kildare. There, along with his darling Jane, his sister Maureen, his family and friends we celebrated his life. We recalled his music and played him off. Liam and Jane have had a hard year as he struggled with declining health but, through it all, the sparkle was always there. His dear friend Paddy Glackin was steadfast in his commitment to Liam and kept us in the picture over recent months. Despite the inevitable, it still came as a shock last Wednesday morning. I have known Liam for 55 years but the enormity of his contribution really hit home when we heard the news. Liam, more than any other, brought the “Uileann” sound around the world. He was and remains “The Master” of our times. His influence upon Irish Music is incalculable. That he carried his music with humility, compassion and with a gentle sense of humour endeared Liam to all who encountered him. That sense of endearment shone through the music played yesterday in the small Church in County Kildare.
Our Piper is gone but his legacy resounds.
Click HERE for an interview with Liam O’Flynn
Click HERE to watch a documentary about Liam O’Flynn
On The Road
I consider myself very fortunate to have new generations coming to hear the songs. Many of these listeners were not even born when I first began recording some of these tracks. Many enquire about a collection of the most popular songs. This collection has been gathered from gigs recorded over the past 3 years. It features new versions of the most requested songs. They were recorded at 17 different venues in Ireland, England and Scotland.
Its been a fulfilling project, comparing different versions, hearing old songs with new arrangements and different musicians..
Its a great buzz for me…. to have such great listeners, to be still out here “On The Road“.
Sleeve Notes
Track List:
Ordinary Man
Ride On
Joxer Goes to Stuttgart
Black Is the Colour
Don’t Forget Your Shovel
The Voyage
Delirium Tremens
Fairytale of New York
Lisdoonvarna
Cliffs of Dooneen
Weekend in Amsterdam
Viva la Quinte Brigada
City of Chicago
Go, Move, Shift
Nancy Spain
Lingo Politico
The Raggle Taggle Gypsy
St. Brendan’s Voyage
Beeswing
McIlhatton
Bright Blue Rose
If I Get an Encore
North & South
The Time Has Come
Homelessness Protest … 7th April 2018
Dear Listeners,
Homelessness Protest – 7th April 2018
Dear Listeners,
Please note this new initiative and consider being part of it. The protest will take place on 7th April 2018 at the Garden of Remembrance from 1 pm.
I hope to support it in any way I can.
See ye along the road..
Christy
New Album – On the Road …
Dear Listeners,
The new double CD “On The Road” was released in November and features new live recordings of my most popular tracks. We have chosen 24 tracks from 17 different venues recorded over the past 3 years.
We have also added new dates around Ireland and UK in the coming months.
“On The Road” will be available in record shops and at all gigs .
Order a copy by clicking HERE.
All the best,
Christy
New Album – On The Road
Dear Listeners,
The new double CD “On The Road” was released in November and features new live recordings of my most popular tracks. We have chosen 24 tracks from 17 different venues recorded over the past 3 years.
We have also added new dates around Ireland and UK in the coming months.
“On The Road” will be available in record shops and at all gigs .
Order a copy by clicking HERE.
All the best,
Christy
Two Extra Shows Added in Vicar Street!
Dear Listeners,
We are adding two more nights to our run of shows at Vicar Street. Two final dates of Wednesday, January 10th and Thursday, January 11th join the list that already includes shows on Dec 11&12, Dec 19&20, and Jan 2&3. Tickets for the two new shows go on sale Monday Nov 13th at 9AM. More ticket information here on the gig page
Christy …
Mark Your Calendars with these new dates in April 2018
Dear Listeners,
The calendar is really filling up for 2018. We have four new dates On Sale: Letterkenny, April 6th; Carrick on Shannon, April 7th; Westport, April 13th; and Cavan, April 14th. More ticket information here on the gig page
Christy …
Christy Announces Long List of Spring 2018 Dates
Dear Listeners,
We have new Irish dates posted for Spring 2018 in Naas, Mullingar, Gormanstown, Enniscorthy, Tullamore, Kilkenny, Trim, Waterford and Bantry. These dates are in addition to the recently announced UK tour to Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham and York set to take place in May 2018. More ticket information here on the gig page
Christy …
Christy Returns to Vicar Street
Dear Listeners,
Good news for all who have made it an annual visit. Christy returns to Vicar Street for 6 shows Dec 11 & 12, Dec 19 & 20, and Jan 2 & 3. On Sale Thursday October 5th.
UCH welcomes Christy back in April 2018
Dear Listeners,
We have been invited back to the University Concert Hall, Limerick, Friday April 20, 2018. Tickets now on sale here
Christy …
Second Date Added for Iontas Theatre
Dear Listeners,
We have added a second date at Iontas Theatre, Castleblayney Co. Monaghan – Friday November 24th. Tickets go on sale next Wednesday Aug. 16. Check Gig Page for further info
Christy …
New Solo Dates Announced
Dear Listeners,
Here are two new Solo dates for your calendar – Venue Theatre, Ratoath, Co. Meath Saturday Nov 11th, 2017; and Iontas Theatre, Castleblayney Co. Monaghan Thursday Nov 23rd. Check Gig Page for further info
Christy …
INEC – October 27, 2017
Dear Listeners,
We’ve added another new date – INEC, Killarney, Friday 27th October 2017. Tickets on sale now & available from box office PH 064 66 71555
or you can click HERE
Christy …
Where I Come From
I come from The Bog of Allen, beneath the seat of the ancient King,
Listen for the distant Corncrake, hear the Lark and the Curlew sing,
Where the heather and the moss grow, and the turf lies row after row,
Out there in the sun to dry, breathe it in as I walk on by,
Where the kids and the dogs all muck in to gather,
Bringing home the turf, no matter what the weather.
CHORUS
I’m a bogman, deep down, it’s where I come from
I was walking along the seashore, in a distant land,
Dreaming of Barronstown, Bridie, Frank and Nan,
I put the saddle on the pony in the corner field, and cantered down the lane,
I was heading for the yellow bog, Sonny was on the slane,
He was cutting deep into the turf, he was pegging it on up high,
Neddy was catching on the bank as Gary was spread it out to dry,
Footing it, they’re cutting it, they’re clamping it together,
Bringing home the turf no matter what the weather
CHORUS
When they heard the Milltown bell the turfmen paused to pray,
Bridie’s coming down the meadow with the billy-cans of tea,
Nanny’s got the basket on her arm to feed them hungry men,
The Dowling girls are on the bog in the heat of the midday sun,
I’m dreaming, dreaming, of the jet black loam,
The roots of the long haul journey men kept calling me back home,
From way out west in Canada, from deep down in Geelong,
To the yellow bog in Allenwood, the place where I belong
CHORUS
Arthur’s Day
Christy Moore/Wally Page
Diageo Diageo have mounted a Crusade
Creating Arthur’s Day, they’ve suckered us into their charade
Start ’em off on Alco-Pops tastes just like lemonade
Get ’em into the hit while they’re young and none the wiser
Diageo pump the volume up on Arthur’s Day
With The Manic Street Preachers, Primal Scream, Tom Jones and David Gray
To flog their alcohol, they’re revving the youngsters up for a mighty spree
Twitter and Facebook telling them where The Mumford’s ‘r going to be
Chorus
Happy Happy Happy Happy Arthur’s Day
It’s such…. a Happy Clappy Advertising’ Scheme
Drink sensibly they implore us, as their Hosannas sound a never-ending chorus
‘n kids get hooked on the fantasies that flash before us
Arthurs Alcoholiday is coming round again
He’s the patron saint of porter canonized by the Advertising’ Men
The medics in the ambulance ‘ll be working overtime,
The A&E ‘ll be like a drunk tank in the firing line
While Diageo goes AWOL at closing time
Lost Tribe of the Wicklow Mountains
Dave Lordan/Christy Moore
I believe in them so they do exist.
Way up in the Wicklow Mountains tis easier to hide than you think
Back in behind them waterfalls
Deep down in sunless crevices
In rhodedendroned foliage
On slopes of fluttering shadow and scree.
Nothing speaks of this tribe apart from these words.
They could be waifs running free from the lead mines
They could be orphans out of ballads and poems
They could be rebels who outran the redcoats
They could be ravers, they could be Wiccans
Who squat above in high ruins
Cavorting at thousand-day hooleys
Beneath great roofless halls
Turning to foxes at midnight
They plough through the motorway snow
To scavenge suburban dustbins
Down around Newtownmountkennedy
Down around Newtownmountkennedy
This Tribe has no patterns
Fits no description
Nothing about it translates
Apart from its existence
No reasons no thesis no customs no goals
The Tribe is my credo … that’s all
Strong is my faith, strong is my Beat
Strong is my magic, strong is my Want
And wanting I will rise, up alongside them
Spinning into the mist, ne’er to be seen again
High above Mullaghacleevaune
Some of our boys
To the hills they have gone away
More of them have been shot
And some are far out at sea
Michael Dwyer of the mountain
Has plenty of cause for his spleen
For the loss of his own
Loyal comrades who died on the green
In April 2013, we joined a great throng in Avondale, Co. Wicklow. “Save Our Forests” was a collective who sought, successfully, to prevent the proposed sell off of our national forests. In that beautiful vale, the Cork Poet, Dave Lordan, read this piece. Since then I have been trying to perform it. After three years of foostering, I felt it was time to sing or get off the pot … shine on Dave Lordan. The hanging baskets are still in bloom and there’s more than puddings in Clonakilty!