Heading into vicar st tonight, never a person to take out a phone at a gig, but forgive me if u sing ordinary man tonight i am gonna have to. My Father passed away last August, his fav song by his fav singer.. as a teen i have fond memories of him singing that song loudly in the 80s, being let go from site to site. Tnks
Christy's reply
its one of a small number of songs that are constant on the set list….tonight I’ll sing it in memory of your Father
Hello Christy,
Thinking this morning about what you said
“songwriters (known and unknown), songs (new & ancient), listeners (young & old),
“round we go . heel to the toe “ ”
And how they relate and interact with each other. You summed it up so beautifully with the quote from reel in the flickering light.
Then I started wondering why you missed out singers.
Maybe because we seem to be the glue that binds it all together.
A conduit for it all.
Sometimes when I learn a new song I might change a word.
Usually, within a couple of years it has changed itself back.
The ones that don’t change back seem to be in ancient songs that are local. An instinctive thing with the dialect?
Heading off in the morning on the yearly pilgrimage to Vicar Street to set my year off on a high!! Looking forward to another epic gig, this time with my mum. Would be very grateful if you could give her a mention (Maura Coyle)
Good health to you and here’s to many more great nights in your company!
Adrian Coyle
Christy's reply
mind your speed as you approach the Port Tunnel…the Garda and the Gatso on full alert..I got done for doin 120 on my scooter last week….I got breathalysed too…my last piss up was in 1989 and it still registered
Thanks for the reply Christy. Yes, I’ve seen your duet with Shane on A pair of brown eyes many times, brilliant. Unfortunately I’m not great at uploading etc , never mind. Wishing you the very best , Frank.
Hello Christy , I hope this finds you well.
Following the sad passing of your great friend Shane MacGowan , I put some lines together highlighting Shanes connection with Nenagh and especially Philly Ryans Bar in Silver Street . It was a place that Shane visited many times and found sanctuary in. Nobody annoyed him or interrupted his visits, and many great times were had. A good friend of mine Ger McGrath from Garrykennedy has put an air to the words , and I think you would sing it beautifully. I know you’re extremely busy, but if you would like to see the words and hear the tune i would love to forward it to you. The words are on The Pogues Facebook page, posted around 7th December by Philip Ryan , who was a great friend of Shanes , was proprietor of the Bar in question, and was the undertaker in charge of his momentous send off. If you think you might like it my mobile is 0876545871. If you had a spare minute I’ll send on to you.
Wishing you continued health & success. Frank.
Christy's reply
since we first commenced this site many songs have been shared on this platform…feel free to share your song here
Shane lived a full life and created love and fond memories for Millions of listeners around the world..
I met Shane maybe a Dozen times upon life’s journey…. almost always in or around gig or Festival situations….we never had any long meaningful conversations, yet I did feel a bond with him…a bond that was forged and tempered in song….Shane was a songster of the highest order….we sang together thrice in TV studio situations… I clearly remember the small number of telephone conversations we had, always about lyrics…..we swapped cassettes back in the 1990’s….I climbed out of the bottle 35 years ago so we never actually enjoyed a glass together…I recall him always having respect for those seeking to walk the straight and narrow ….we met in London, Shinrone, New York, John O’Gods,Ronnie Drew’s house, Liberty Hall and,finally, in Cabinteeley when I had the wonderful experience of duetting his “A Pair of Brown Eyes” with him…
I hope his Family and all his old Pogue and Pope Companeros find some solace in this new year
I don’t understand what’s wrong with love, empathy, understanding, tolerance.
I’m sure we’ve all felt judged, I know I have.
And it doesn’t help anyone.
Most of us are just bumbling along, doing no harm.
Anyway, I’ll shut up now and go and do something useful (make coffee).
It will be a big pot if anyone fancies a cup.
Noticed that lots of people have mentioned coming to your gig on 19th. Fab to meet kind, like minded souls. We’ll be there on 16th too, with luck.
Christy,
Where did the Traveller album song ‘ i loved her’ come from?
I cannot really find any clues so i thought i’d adk the horse’s mouth.
Thanks rory
Christy's reply
That song should have been titled.”The Banks of The Lee”…..it was a very popular song way back in the day…I first heard it sung by Andy Rynne of Prosperous back in 1967 when we did some gigs together in Lancs & Yorks
you pronounced it right on sunday. But this is not my name. MOW are the first letters of my names. My real name is Matthias (Matthew in englisch). And the O is for my second Name “Otto”.
Hi Christy,
I have been listening to your music for many years now. I took up songwriting inspired by yourself during the Covid pandemic in 2020. This is the first song I wrote called I’m feckin sick of isolation.
I hope you enjoy it. https://youtu.be/BRFLPsbwtOE?si=81pRwF1FZBGQFIzm
Beir Bua,
Paddy O
Christy's reply
Paddy O
Songwriting is a life long endeavour…we gotta keep at it…. for every 100 songs I start write, occasionally one gets finished…sometimes its lonely work..more times it can be fulfilling to find a writing partner….
I wish you well with your song writing…its great to be out of that terrible time of isolation..hopefully it wont return
Dearest Christy, i sat in a chill room in Aberdeen and watched again the Barras gig,on that tv replay, i played and played over and over No Time For Love, a gem amongst gem, recognised by a would be rebel but just a well mannered thug.
Tears down the cheeks, hairs to attention on the old neck, reliving the gig, the aura, the feeling, the madness, the love , the sorrow of the room.
That final song in particular, its feeling, its lyric, its truth, usually gets to me, but rarely like this. I and many 4711ers were there , lucky to sweat and sing along with you. Thank you.
A gem of a man, among gems.
Rory
Christy's reply
there is an atmosphere in Barrowland like no other….so many endearing aspects to that great halting site
you can hear the crowd assembling from the dressing room… its possible to hear conversations as the excitement mounts… then the audience will sometimes start to sing about 20 minutes before the gig starts….there are so many different elements that go to create ( my take on ) the Barrowland experience….Exile, Rebellion, Love of Home place,historical London-driven ethnic cleansing, land clearnaces,Celtic, IRA, Fidel & Che, Palestine, Oppression, Suppression, Drink, Crack, Courtship, MUSIC, Paddy Hill,
I love the way they celebrate good guitar breaks…the emotion in the audience singing, the house crew who have seen it all before, time and again, who show a healthy disdain towards artists stepping out of limos …but also appreciation of a gig well done ( unless they are Rangers or Motherwell supporters) ,the smell of dettol in the dressing room,
twas an awful disappointment to find Baird’s closed….
Sunday was my second time to see you on this series at Vicar St, great to hear “Reel in the Flickering Light” for the first time in a while and equally was brilliant to catch “Barrowlands” and “They Never Came Home” on the 2nd January. Be back one more time on 19th with the wife, Anna and the the two sons, “Billy Gray” would be glorious…..
Liam
Christy's reply
Billy Gray rode over the Hill a few years back..a beautiful Norman Blake song, I often listen to Liam Óg’s Piping on the 1978 Planxty version ..I heard Noel Shine sing it in The Phoenix Bar Cork over 40 years ago…. Noel now sings with in Greenshine with his Wife and Daughter..they make beautiful music
Hi Christy,
Delighted to hear The Yellow Furze , Honda fifty man got a mention in Vicar St , last night , very nice that you still remember and give a mention. I am sure Conor/Nancy/Nancy ,, looking down and enjoying ,, remembering happy days around Yellow Furze , Cotton Mills and Ardmulchan !!
Christy's reply
as Nancy was borne aloft out of St Conleth’s in Newbridge….I spotted him there, at the back of the crowd, tears streaming down his cheeks, then I saw his Honda 50 parked by the wall….I knew the effort he had taken to be with us that morning in Sept 1992….Conor has always had a special place in my heart…long before we met I’d hear my Mother and Grandparents talk of Conor Brennan ( always pronounced Brannan in Yellow Furze vernacular !)
every time I sing that song I think of Conor & Nancy …and also John “Slicey” Monaghan from Roseberry, Newbridge ..a school pal of mine who lost his life at the “Bundle-of-Sticks” near Naas on his beloved Honda 50
Hello Christy,
I’m so glad to hear the magic was there for you last night. And Reel in the Flickering Light appeared, the most magical of Songs. It sits in my folder and wants to be sung regularly. Beautiful withe guitar, beautiful withe harp.
You inspire me.
Rebecca
Christy's reply
songwriters (known and unknown), songs (new & ancient), listeners (young & old),
Hi Christy, thank you so much for another fantastic evening! With the shout out and dedicating BT to us you made it even more special, personal and unforgettable! Really made our day and was of course the highlight of our stay in Dublin. Thanks to your crew and Hilary as well for the souvenir they gave us!!
You sang our favourite songs in a powerful way, the audience joined in and turned the venue into a big choir.
We met quite a few nice songsters from Ireland and Germany (we really should organise a German branch of 4711ers as Pat D. has suggested a few days ago and somehow ferry you over…😉 ).
In a word: We couldn’t be any happier!
Thomas, Chris and Birgit
Hi Christy,
Just home after another brilliant night at this sequence at HQ.Thank you. Wonderful audience tonight who got behind you from the throw in. You took off like a speed train barely taking a breath, then in the mist of it all “Flicker” appears….. brilliant.
It’s just fantastic to hear people whisper things like”wow”, “brilliant “, “fantastic “, at the end of the different songs. One man said to me that he’s going to take his Children to a Gig as “ it’s like living through history “ listening to the songs.
How right he is !!!
Until the next time…..Best regards.
Christy's reply
Morra Patsy…
There was a magic patch for me last night… it began about 15 minutes in and ran for 5/6 numbers…Duende descended..everything went still for me..there were shafts of white light…the songs were playing me…then normal service resumed…. I glimpsed down…ye were in it
Thx for playing the ordinary man, Christy. I sang by heart with a pub singer called Billy Treacy this week. And now with you and the audience of vicar street was it the great finish of a wonderful stay full of irish history, irish art, music and a few beer. Hopefully see you next year if the gigs in Dublin fit with my christmas holidays.
Just watched the Barrowlands gig again on TG4. Pure class Christy. I saw you there in 2014 and 2015 and hopefully again some time soon. Vicar Street this coming Thursday night for my 12th time seeing you. Botanic Gardens in June also.
Keep er lit
Christy's reply
Right so Bobo….12 and counting…You Keep Coming Back and I’ll try to keep singing
Heading into vicar st tonight, never a person to take out a phone at a gig, but forgive me if u sing ordinary man tonight i am gonna have to. My Father passed away last August, his fav song by his fav singer.. as a teen i have fond memories of him singing that song loudly in the 80s, being let go from site to site. Tnks
its one of a small number of songs that are constant on the set list….tonight I’ll sing it in memory of your Father
Hello Christy,
Thinking this morning about what you said
“songwriters (known and unknown), songs (new & ancient), listeners (young & old),
“round we go . heel to the toe “ ”
And how they relate and interact with each other. You summed it up so beautifully with the quote from reel in the flickering light.
Then I started wondering why you missed out singers.
Maybe because we seem to be the glue that binds it all together.
A conduit for it all.
Sometimes when I learn a new song I might change a word.
Usually, within a couple of years it has changed itself back.
The ones that don’t change back seem to be in ancient songs that are local. An instinctive thing with the dialect?
Rebecca
where would we be without the glue
Good Evening Christy
Heading off in the morning on the yearly pilgrimage to Vicar Street to set my year off on a high!! Looking forward to another epic gig, this time with my mum. Would be very grateful if you could give her a mention (Maura Coyle)
Good health to you and here’s to many more great nights in your company!
Adrian Coyle
mind your speed as you approach the Port Tunnel…the Garda and the Gatso on full alert..I got done for doin 120 on my scooter last week….I got breathalysed too…my last piss up was in 1989 and it still registered
Thanks for the reply Christy. Yes, I’ve seen your duet with Shane on A pair of brown eyes many times, brilliant. Unfortunately I’m not great at uploading etc , never mind. Wishing you the very best , Frank.
Hello Christy , I hope this finds you well.
Following the sad passing of your great friend Shane MacGowan , I put some lines together highlighting Shanes connection with Nenagh and especially Philly Ryans Bar in Silver Street . It was a place that Shane visited many times and found sanctuary in. Nobody annoyed him or interrupted his visits, and many great times were had. A good friend of mine Ger McGrath from Garrykennedy has put an air to the words , and I think you would sing it beautifully. I know you’re extremely busy, but if you would like to see the words and hear the tune i would love to forward it to you. The words are on The Pogues Facebook page, posted around 7th December by Philip Ryan , who was a great friend of Shanes , was proprietor of the Bar in question, and was the undertaker in charge of his momentous send off. If you think you might like it my mobile is 0876545871. If you had a spare minute I’ll send on to you.
Wishing you continued health & success. Frank.
since we first commenced this site many songs have been shared on this platform…feel free to share your song here
Shane lived a full life and created love and fond memories for Millions of listeners around the world..
I met Shane maybe a Dozen times upon life’s journey…. almost always in or around gig or Festival situations….we never had any long meaningful conversations, yet I did feel a bond with him…a bond that was forged and tempered in song….Shane was a songster of the highest order….we sang together thrice in TV studio situations… I clearly remember the small number of telephone conversations we had, always about lyrics…..we swapped cassettes back in the 1990’s….I climbed out of the bottle 35 years ago so we never actually enjoyed a glass together…I recall him always having respect for those seeking to walk the straight and narrow ….we met in London, Shinrone, New York, John O’Gods,Ronnie Drew’s house, Liberty Hall and,finally, in Cabinteeley when I had the wonderful experience of duetting his “A Pair of Brown Eyes” with him…
I hope his Family and all his old Pogue and Pope Companeros find some solace in this new year
an auld man said “Son, I’ll not see another one”
Hello Christy,
This appeared this morning, something new from Martin Leahy.
https://martinleahy.bandcamp.com/track/song-for-ann-lovett?from=fanpub_fnb_trk&utm_source=track_release&utm_medium=email&utm_content=fanpub_fnb_trk&utm_campaign=martinleahy+track+song-for-ann-lovett
I don’t understand what’s wrong with love, empathy, understanding, tolerance.
I’m sure we’ve all felt judged, I know I have.
And it doesn’t help anyone.
Most of us are just bumbling along, doing no harm.
Anyway, I’ll shut up now and go and do something useful (make coffee).
It will be a big pot if anyone fancies a cup.
Noticed that lots of people have mentioned coming to your gig on 19th. Fab to meet kind, like minded souls. We’ll be there on 16th too, with luck.
Rebecca
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001gn37
Christy,
This Alba programme is worth a watch for all fans of Barrowland
Rory
cant access the BBC player….but thanks for the pointer
I’m certain that the 19th will have its own special memories, regardless of what you play for us. Looking forward to it.
Liam
on we go
Christy,
Where did the Traveller album song ‘ i loved her’ come from?
I cannot really find any clues so i thought i’d adk the horse’s mouth.
Thanks rory
That song should have been titled.”The Banks of The Lee”…..it was a very popular song way back in the day…I first heard it sung by Andy Rynne of Prosperous back in 1967 when we did some gigs together in Lancs & Yorks
Hi Christy,
you pronounced it right on sunday. But this is not my name. MOW are the first letters of my names. My real name is Matthias (Matthew in englisch). And the O is for my second Name “Otto”.
Thank you Matthias….Christopher Andrew
Hi Christy,
I have been listening to your music for many years now. I took up songwriting inspired by yourself during the Covid pandemic in 2020. This is the first song I wrote called I’m feckin sick of isolation.
I hope you enjoy it.
https://youtu.be/BRFLPsbwtOE?si=81pRwF1FZBGQFIzm
Beir Bua,
Paddy O
Paddy O
Songwriting is a life long endeavour…we gotta keep at it…. for every 100 songs I start write, occasionally one gets finished…sometimes its lonely work..more times it can be fulfilling to find a writing partner….
I wish you well with your song writing…its great to be out of that terrible time of isolation..hopefully it wont return
Dearest Christy, i sat in a chill room in Aberdeen and watched again the Barras gig,on that tv replay, i played and played over and over No Time For Love, a gem amongst gem, recognised by a would be rebel but just a well mannered thug.
Tears down the cheeks, hairs to attention on the old neck, reliving the gig, the aura, the feeling, the madness, the love , the sorrow of the room.
That final song in particular, its feeling, its lyric, its truth, usually gets to me, but rarely like this. I and many 4711ers were there , lucky to sweat and sing along with you. Thank you.
A gem of a man, among gems.
Rory
there is an atmosphere in Barrowland like no other….so many endearing aspects to that great halting site
you can hear the crowd assembling from the dressing room… its possible to hear conversations as the excitement mounts… then the audience will sometimes start to sing about 20 minutes before the gig starts….there are so many different elements that go to create ( my take on ) the Barrowland experience….Exile, Rebellion, Love of Home place,historical London-driven ethnic cleansing, land clearnaces,Celtic, IRA, Fidel & Che, Palestine, Oppression, Suppression, Drink, Crack, Courtship, MUSIC, Paddy Hill,
I love the way they celebrate good guitar breaks…the emotion in the audience singing, the house crew who have seen it all before, time and again, who show a healthy disdain towards artists stepping out of limos …but also appreciation of a gig well done ( unless they are Rangers or Motherwell supporters) ,the smell of dettol in the dressing room,
twas an awful disappointment to find Baird’s closed….
Sunday was my second time to see you on this series at Vicar St, great to hear “Reel in the Flickering Light” for the first time in a while and equally was brilliant to catch “Barrowlands” and “They Never Came Home” on the 2nd January. Be back one more time on 19th with the wife, Anna and the the two sons, “Billy Gray” would be glorious…..
Liam
Billy Gray rode over the Hill a few years back..a beautiful Norman Blake song, I often listen to Liam Óg’s Piping on the 1978 Planxty version ..I heard Noel Shine sing it in The Phoenix Bar Cork over 40 years ago…. Noel now sings with in Greenshine with his Wife and Daughter..they make beautiful music
Hi Christy,
Delighted to hear The Yellow Furze , Honda fifty man got a mention in Vicar St , last night , very nice that you still remember and give a mention. I am sure Conor/Nancy/Nancy ,, looking down and enjoying ,, remembering happy days around Yellow Furze , Cotton Mills and Ardmulchan !!
as Nancy was borne aloft out of St Conleth’s in Newbridge….I spotted him there, at the back of the crowd, tears streaming down his cheeks, then I saw his Honda 50 parked by the wall….I knew the effort he had taken to be with us that morning in Sept 1992….Conor has always had a special place in my heart…long before we met I’d hear my Mother and Grandparents talk of Conor Brennan ( always pronounced Brannan in Yellow Furze vernacular !)
every time I sing that song I think of Conor & Nancy …and also John “Slicey” Monaghan from Roseberry, Newbridge ..a school pal of mine who lost his life at the “Bundle-of-Sticks” near Naas on his beloved Honda 50
Hello Christy,
I’m so glad to hear the magic was there for you last night. And Reel in the Flickering Light appeared, the most magical of Songs. It sits in my folder and wants to be sung regularly. Beautiful withe guitar, beautiful withe harp.
You inspire me.
Rebecca
songwriters (known and unknown), songs (new & ancient), listeners (young & old),
“round we go . heel to the toe “
Hi Christy, thank you so much for another fantastic evening! With the shout out and dedicating BT to us you made it even more special, personal and unforgettable! Really made our day and was of course the highlight of our stay in Dublin. Thanks to your crew and Hilary as well for the souvenir they gave us!!
You sang our favourite songs in a powerful way, the audience joined in and turned the venue into a big choir.
We met quite a few nice songsters from Ireland and Germany (we really should organise a German branch of 4711ers as Pat D. has suggested a few days ago and somehow ferry you over…😉 ).
In a word: We couldn’t be any happier!
Thomas, Chris and Birgit
“Isis…Astarte…Diana…Hecati..Demeter…Kali….Inarna..”
the chorus of Charlie Murphy’s beautiful song resounds more then ever upon our beautiful troubled planet..
Thank you and your friends for travelling so far to be with us
Hi Christy,
Just home after another brilliant night at this sequence at HQ.Thank you. Wonderful audience tonight who got behind you from the throw in. You took off like a speed train barely taking a breath, then in the mist of it all “Flicker” appears….. brilliant.
It’s just fantastic to hear people whisper things like”wow”, “brilliant “, “fantastic “, at the end of the different songs. One man said to me that he’s going to take his Children to a Gig as “ it’s like living through history “ listening to the songs.
How right he is !!!
Until the next time…..Best regards.
Morra Patsy…
There was a magic patch for me last night… it began about 15 minutes in and ran for 5/6 numbers…Duende descended..everything went still for me..there were shafts of white light…the songs were playing me…then normal service resumed…. I glimpsed down…ye were in it
Thx for playing the ordinary man, Christy. I sang by heart with a pub singer called Billy Treacy this week. And now with you and the audience of vicar street was it the great finish of a wonderful stay full of irish history, irish art, music and a few beer. Hopefully see you next year if the gigs in Dublin fit with my christmas holidays.
Hey Mow….how is your name pronouced ?
Thank you, Christy, for another wonderful gig in Vicar Street tonight. It was great, too, to hear the Reel in the Flickering Light.
Now back in my hotel room watching Come All You Dreamers on catch up on the TG4 web site.
Happy New Year!
Anne
It was a pleasure to sing Colm Gallagher’s beautiful song again last night…it appeared from nowhere…like an old friend coming into a crowded room
Just watched the Barrowlands gig again on TG4. Pure class Christy. I saw you there in 2014 and 2015 and hopefully again some time soon. Vicar Street this coming Thursday night for my 12th time seeing you. Botanic Gardens in June also.
Keep er lit
Right so Bobo….12 and counting…You Keep Coming Back and I’ll try to keep singing