May I add my thanks to Rory’s Hilary for your post. Being abroad I tend to miss out on these moments, but thanks to you I can appreciate my/our President’s message.
I am particularly struck by his comment:
‘Throughout her life, and in her 50 year search for justice, Joan Jara demonstrated the power and dignity of the search for truth.’
That someone perhaps involved in the torture of Victor had been extradited just before Joan’s death is one small ray if sunshine on a particularly dark time in history, a time and an event I actually remember.
Thanks again Hilary. It is sombre, it is sad, but there are times for sombre reflection in life, of the big issues.
Thanks too Hilary,
James Dean Bradfield has a powerful album to Victor Jara’s memory ( called Even In Exile) and includes a song to Joan ( without knowing the end).
May she rest in peace, at one now with Victor.
Rory
Hello Christy,
Hope everyone is ok, so many storms. Here the garden is now a lake and we’ve got two lots of men up on the roof. One mending solar panels and the other trying to fix a leaking roof. It’s leaked for years and we’ve never managed to work out where it’s getting in. Maybe today they’ll find it..
Victor Jara of Chile
Lived like a shooting star
Fought for the People of Chile
with his Songs and his guitar…
his hands were gentle
and his hands were strong…
Yes Christy: you make Carrickdale sound like something from Spike’s Puckoon…
A bloody funny read…
As for Oz & the bastard Union Jack: not looking good…
We can’t even get our indigenous peoples to agree on having their own voice to Government much less other Aussies joining them…
200 years of kissing Pommie arse, now replaced by kissing Yankee butt…
Fair dinkum! Things will only change thru people power – songsters like you coming up thru the young ranks will bring the changes
Two little dogs demanding their breakfast here
Have a happy & rewarding day Christy & fellow Christy-ans (not necessarily the “get me down from here you Romans!” type)
Danny Harris
Christy's reply
I learnt a lot from Spike
his cure for sea sickness (and jet lag)
Thanks for enlightening me and teaching me a little Irish. I don’t know how “The Bord Na Mona Man” became “The Man With The Motor Van.” What was noble about this government board? What did they do in the boglands? When I endeavour to speak Irish in Ireland…I am taken as a Welshman. What?
I will order a copy of your new album and listen attentively to your lyrics.
When are they taking down the barbed wire around the Ferryport so that I can get to Dublin? I may try Air Lingers. Must go my mobile is vibrating! Hugs.
Christy's reply
Yu Ming Is Ainm Dom
have a look at this film on you tube
Hi Christy,
The energy that you produced on Sunday at Lyrath was fabulous, urged on as the crowd demanded more.
Perfectly offset by the engrossing calm of the Heaney Homeplace yesterday.
Two periods of 100 minutes each, one in Kilkenny, one in Derry, so different and yet so uplifting both.
I shall be back for much more of each serving, as 1000 minutes would not be enough to sate the thirst for either.
Rory
Christy's reply
Many good people hailed from Bellaghy Rory and , doubtless, Seamus was among them….
hope your journey continues..them Hawick Balls are addictive….I’ll not have a tooth left in my head
Hi Christopher,
Yeah, you have got me too. Could it be I am on the Hallos?
I have heard this song, on your Yellow disc from the 2004 Box Set, and it is unlisted. I hear it at the end, after Quiet Desperation, next to a recital of “Hey, Ronnie Reagan.” The lyrics I hear are a man with a motor van delivering TVs and discovering most of the World. Whatever it is…it is highly comical. Does “he discovered Everest before Hillary was born” ring any bells? I hear the same song every time I play your yellow disc and have done since 2004. Have you got me?
Hugs,
Francis.
Christy's reply
Thanks Francis…since the box set I played around with that lyric, it became “The Bord na Móna Man”..it finally made its way onto last years album “Flying into Mystery”…it is currently recieving slight attention in the bogland regions but falls on deaf ears when performed in suburban halls….I forgot entirely that it was an unlisted track in The Box Set 1964-2004..a diiferent version was titled Godwoman but that was before they …( cont Page 91)
Thank you Christy. Yes we do imagine two very different gigs. We’re up for that: so excited. We love music. Your tunes ring out in n our home very frequently: See you Friday 8 Next Wednesday, Jude, John & Rory from Australia
Christy's reply
Carrickdale has been a favourite gig for manys the year…it straddles the dreaded border..the stage is in The Republic but the Dressing Room declares Brexit…my sat nav plays havoc..even the stage itself is divided..I can start a song in The Free State, move sideways 6 inches and finish it in The Commonwealth…I love that polysemous word Commonwealth…such a sneaky one, as the ruling elite squeeze their wealth from the bodies of the “common” people…
any sign of ye removing the union jack from the starry plough up there in Canberra ?….. see ye Friday
Hi Christy, on a holiday in Spain and have just run into a man that remembers you from 1969/70 in Ashton-Under-Lyme at BL Engineering and he dropped you off in Manchester to catch a train to Liverpool. He’s hoping that you made it. His name is Chris McCormick.
Christy's reply
Good man Frankie.
great that you are getting the bit of Sun..you;ll have a nice tan if you’re serving Midnight Mass in St Conleth’s
I recall 69-70 well..I was off the road (for reasons we dont need to go into 54 years on) I spent a year gigging around England using the brilliant railway system that existed back then ..I loved that time… I used to ingest small particles of black hash from Pakistan, climb aboard my BR chariot and grin the day away as I drank in the countryside… there were days when I might change trains three times but BR always got me there…me and my big guitar case which carried everything I needed to work..I dont remember Christy McCormick ( that feckin hash!) but I’m grateful for the lift.
I have not been to Spain for 35 years….it was there that I wrote Quinte Brigada and Lisdoonvarna..maybe I should get back !
Truckin along here..Kilkenny last Sunday, Newry next Friday..slipping in a few new ballads to keep the pot boiling ( have a very good new Newbridge song written by a man from Naas, but he married a Newbridge woman)..Killashee coming around again soon..I’ll be ironing my Kildare flag
Thank you Christy for the unbelievable experience we had last night at your concert. We travelled from Newfoundland specifically to see you perform live and it was jaw dropping. Thanks for the shout out at the end, Sonny’s Dream and the handshake. I can now tell the world I shook the hand of a great man. Cheers!!!
Christy's reply
Sonny’s Dream is a very special song for me….written by Ron Hynes from St John …over the past 30 years Ron’s song has become part of Ireland’s folk song repertoire…the song landed here 40 years ago carried from Newfoundland by Hamish Imlach….I later covered Ron’s Song as did Mary Black….now most Irish songsters know the song as you will have witnessed in Kilkenny last Sunday Night
Hello Christy,
Saw you quote from the Little Beggarman here. Sometimes it’s good to be only 5 years into folk music. Everything is a new thing. https://youtu.be/LoQ39LxHRio?si=wL5GrMRPk8HIYK1O
Hey Christy, what a great performance last night and thanks for the shout out and singing Sonny for us, it was the icing on the cake for sure ! Wishing you all the best in the future.
The Newfoundlanders
Larry, Bev and Stella Brazil
Hi Christy. We are visiting from Australia & are so looking forward to seeing you this coming Friday evening at Dundalk, then again the following Wednesday at Vicar Street. We can’t believe that we will get to see you twice this trip. We were last here 6 years ago (my husband was born in Dublin) & we saw you in Arklow then. Our son (who is with us) was 12 then – he’s 18 now. We often hear your voice at home (he’s often playing your songs) & he will be singing along to every song I’m sure. His name is Rory & if it’s possible could you please play Smoke & Strong Whiskey for him? Cheers & see you soon.
Christy's reply
you have t wo very different venues there…probably two very different gigs…I expect the set may be quite different….
Wally Pages great song ” Smoke and Strong Whiskey” has been off the set list for a few years…time to polish it up
hope U3 have a good trip
Thanks Christy: got into Michael Moloney & Moriarty
Yes good old tongue in cheek stuff that Willie Fennell & Roy Mene used to skip around us with in Oz 50s/60s
Thanks for sharing…I really enjoy just opening these site doors & wandering through the magic
Hope the gigs are food for your soul
Dan ( a fan)
…
Christy's reply
reminds me of;
“Hello Patsy Fagan, you’re the apple of my eye”
Dear Christopher,
I hope you are getting on well.
Please would you perform or record “The Man With The Motorvan” from your Boxed Album? It gives me a good chuckle and I love its off-beat lyrics. Did you write it?
Times are tough for many, I have no friends or close family but your music keeps my spirit high.
Keep strumming out the good vibes. Slainte!
Hugs,
Francis of the ‘ills.
May I add my thanks to Rory’s Hilary for your post. Being abroad I tend to miss out on these moments, but thanks to you I can appreciate my/our President’s message.
I am particularly struck by his comment:
‘Throughout her life, and in her 50 year search for justice, Joan Jara demonstrated the power and dignity of the search for truth.’
That someone perhaps involved in the torture of Victor had been extradited just before Joan’s death is one small ray if sunshine on a particularly dark time in history, a time and an event I actually remember.
Thanks again Hilary. It is sombre, it is sad, but there are times for sombre reflection in life, of the big issues.
Thanks too Hilary,
James Dean Bradfield has a powerful album to Victor Jara’s memory ( called Even In Exile) and includes a song to Joan ( without knowing the end).
May she rest in peace, at one now with Victor.
Rory
Hello Christy,
Hope everyone is ok, so many storms. Here the garden is now a lake and we’ve got two lots of men up on the roof. One mending solar panels and the other trying to fix a leaking roof. It’s leaked for years and we’ve never managed to work out where it’s getting in. Maybe today they’ll find it..
Hugs to all.
Rebecca
May their work go well
Our President released this statement https://president.ie/en/media-library/news-releases/statement-by-president-higgins-on-the-death-of-joan-jara
Thanks H
Hi All. I ve just read that Joan Jara has passed away in Chile, she kept up the fight for justice for her husband all those years https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/13/chile-joan-jara-dead-age-96 Beir bua agus beannacht. H
Victor Jara of Chile
Lived like a shooting star
Fought for the People of Chile
with his Songs and his guitar…
his hands were gentle
and his hands were strong…
RIP Joan Jara
Christopher, Go Raibh Mile Maith Agat. Is Mise Francis?
tá fáilte romhat Proinsías….marcaídh ar agaidh
go raibh míle maith agat
Aoibhneas, Christy! Thanks. Go Maith Ar Gut???.
Yes Christy: you make Carrickdale sound like something from Spike’s Puckoon…
A bloody funny read…
As for Oz & the bastard Union Jack: not looking good…
We can’t even get our indigenous peoples to agree on having their own voice to Government much less other Aussies joining them…
200 years of kissing Pommie arse, now replaced by kissing Yankee butt…
Fair dinkum! Things will only change thru people power – songsters like you coming up thru the young ranks will bring the changes
Two little dogs demanding their breakfast here
Have a happy & rewarding day Christy & fellow Christy-ans (not necessarily the “get me down from here you Romans!” type)
Danny Harris
I learnt a lot from Spike
his cure for sea sickness (and jet lag)
stand under a tree
and it works
Hi Christopher,
Thanks for enlightening me and teaching me a little Irish. I don’t know how “The Bord Na Mona Man” became “The Man With The Motor Van.” What was noble about this government board? What did they do in the boglands? When I endeavour to speak Irish in Ireland…I am taken as a Welshman. What?
I will order a copy of your new album and listen attentively to your lyrics.
When are they taking down the barbed wire around the Ferryport so that I can get to Dublin? I may try Air Lingers. Must go my mobile is vibrating! Hugs.
Yu Ming Is Ainm Dom
have a look at this film on you tube
Hi Christy,
The energy that you produced on Sunday at Lyrath was fabulous, urged on as the crowd demanded more.
Perfectly offset by the engrossing calm of the Heaney Homeplace yesterday.
Two periods of 100 minutes each, one in Kilkenny, one in Derry, so different and yet so uplifting both.
I shall be back for much more of each serving, as 1000 minutes would not be enough to sate the thirst for either.
Rory
Many good people hailed from Bellaghy Rory and , doubtless, Seamus was among them….
hope your journey continues..them Hawick Balls are addictive….I’ll not have a tooth left in my head
Hi Christopher,
Yeah, you have got me too. Could it be I am on the Hallos?
I have heard this song, on your Yellow disc from the 2004 Box Set, and it is unlisted. I hear it at the end, after Quiet Desperation, next to a recital of “Hey, Ronnie Reagan.” The lyrics I hear are a man with a motor van delivering TVs and discovering most of the World. Whatever it is…it is highly comical. Does “he discovered Everest before Hillary was born” ring any bells? I hear the same song every time I play your yellow disc and have done since 2004. Have you got me?
Hugs,
Francis.
Thanks Francis…since the box set I played around with that lyric, it became “The Bord na Móna Man”..it finally made its way onto last years album “Flying into Mystery”…it is currently recieving slight attention in the bogland regions but falls on deaf ears when performed in suburban halls….I forgot entirely that it was an unlisted track in The Box Set 1964-2004..a diiferent version was titled Godwoman but that was before they …( cont Page 91)
Hello Christy,
Here’s the largest musical instrument in the world playing Greensleeves.
https://youtu.be/xQnCuqgMcfs?si=biQPWLnR_KYg4N-j
Rebecca
Thank you Christy. Yes we do imagine two very different gigs. We’re up for that: so excited. We love music. Your tunes ring out in n our home very frequently: See you Friday 8 Next Wednesday, Jude, John & Rory from Australia
Carrickdale has been a favourite gig for manys the year…it straddles the dreaded border..the stage is in The Republic but the Dressing Room declares Brexit…my sat nav plays havoc..even the stage itself is divided..I can start a song in The Free State, move sideways 6 inches and finish it in The Commonwealth…I love that polysemous word Commonwealth…such a sneaky one, as the ruling elite squeeze their wealth from the bodies of the “common” people…
any sign of ye removing the union jack from the starry plough up there in Canberra ?….. see ye Friday
Hi Christy, on a holiday in Spain and have just run into a man that remembers you from 1969/70 in Ashton-Under-Lyme at BL Engineering and he dropped you off in Manchester to catch a train to Liverpool. He’s hoping that you made it. His name is Chris McCormick.
Good man Frankie.
great that you are getting the bit of Sun..you;ll have a nice tan if you’re serving Midnight Mass in St Conleth’s
I recall 69-70 well..I was off the road (for reasons we dont need to go into 54 years on) I spent a year gigging around England using the brilliant railway system that existed back then ..I loved that time… I used to ingest small particles of black hash from Pakistan, climb aboard my BR chariot and grin the day away as I drank in the countryside… there were days when I might change trains three times but BR always got me there…me and my big guitar case which carried everything I needed to work..I dont remember Christy McCormick ( that feckin hash!) but I’m grateful for the lift.
I have not been to Spain for 35 years….it was there that I wrote Quinte Brigada and Lisdoonvarna..maybe I should get back !
Truckin along here..Kilkenny last Sunday, Newry next Friday..slipping in a few new ballads to keep the pot boiling ( have a very good new Newbridge song written by a man from Naas, but he married a Newbridge woman)..Killashee coming around again soon..I’ll be ironing my Kildare flag
Thank you Christy for the unbelievable experience we had last night at your concert. We travelled from Newfoundland specifically to see you perform live and it was jaw dropping. Thanks for the shout out at the end, Sonny’s Dream and the handshake. I can now tell the world I shook the hand of a great man. Cheers!!!
Sonny’s Dream is a very special song for me….written by Ron Hynes from St John …over the past 30 years Ron’s song has become part of Ireland’s folk song repertoire…the song landed here 40 years ago carried from Newfoundland by Hamish Imlach….I later covered Ron’s Song as did Mary Black….now most Irish songsters know the song as you will have witnessed in Kilkenny last Sunday Night
Hello Christy,
Saw you quote from the Little Beggarman here. Sometimes it’s good to be only 5 years into folk music. Everything is a new thing.
https://youtu.be/LoQ39LxHRio?si=wL5GrMRPk8HIYK1O
Rebecca
used to finish my set with that in the 60s
Hey Christy, what a great performance last night and thanks for the shout out and singing Sonny for us, it was the icing on the cake for sure ! Wishing you all the best in the future.
The Newfoundlanders
Larry, Bev and Stella Brazil
thanks for feedback…for being there
Hi Christy. We are visiting from Australia & are so looking forward to seeing you this coming Friday evening at Dundalk, then again the following Wednesday at Vicar Street. We can’t believe that we will get to see you twice this trip. We were last here 6 years ago (my husband was born in Dublin) & we saw you in Arklow then. Our son (who is with us) was 12 then – he’s 18 now. We often hear your voice at home (he’s often playing your songs) & he will be singing along to every song I’m sure. His name is Rory & if it’s possible could you please play Smoke & Strong Whiskey for him? Cheers & see you soon.
you have t wo very different venues there…probably two very different gigs…I expect the set may be quite different….
Wally Pages great song ” Smoke and Strong Whiskey” has been off the set list for a few years…time to polish it up
hope U3 have a good trip
Thanks Christy: got into Michael Moloney & Moriarty
Yes good old tongue in cheek stuff that Willie Fennell & Roy Mene used to skip around us with in Oz 50s/60s
Thanks for sharing…I really enjoy just opening these site doors & wandering through the magic
Hope the gigs are food for your soul
Dan ( a fan)
…
reminds me of;
“Hello Patsy Fagan, you’re the apple of my eye”
Dear Christopher,
I hope you are getting on well.
Please would you perform or record “The Man With The Motorvan” from your Boxed Album? It gives me a good chuckle and I love its off-beat lyrics. Did you write it?
Times are tough for many, I have no friends or close family but your music keeps my spirit high.
Keep strumming out the good vibes. Slainte!
Hugs,
Francis of the ‘ills.
you got me there Francis