Christy Moore - Burning Times
Christy Moore - Burning Times
We'd been discussing Mr. Moore on antoher topic and I had mentioned this CD but i've only just bought it recently and i think it is really wonderful. Some beautiful songs on it.
The Lonsome Death of Hattie Carroll cover is wonderful................. 
I could write for hours about this lovely man, but I won't. I would recommend anyone buying Burning Times (or any of his other stuff for that matter) 
I'm glad you agree ali, i liked the hattie carroll cover but there are certainly songs i prefer, Bee'swing, Burning times, Butterfly, peace in the Valley. My favourite for the moment is the cover of Magdalene laundrys by Joni Mitchell it's a very potent topic in Ireland now and a particularly disheartening part of Irish history which, I think, cannot be ignored or swept away and i commend both Christy and Joni for this exquisite song. Maybe you can help but i didn't think the Magdalene laundrys were common knowledge outside Ireland but if Canadian Joni knows about it...
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Diane
Hi Ali and Ghoti. Yesterday I ordered two CDs of CM's - Burning Times and The Collection Vol 1, so I'll let you know what I think in due course.
Ghoti, I don't think the Magdalene Laundries are widely known about outside Ireland. Peter Mullan's film, The Magdalene Sisters may have been the first time many people have been made aware (the film is very good, but doesn't depict the half of it). My own Mother grew up in an orphanage/industrial school in Ireland (same cruel regime as in the laundries). She was put there as a baby because her unmarried mother could not keep her for the shame of her "sin". My Mother managed to escape before being sent to work in the laundries full-time. The nuns who were entrusted with her care called themselves The Sisters of Mercy. They were nothing like the sisters in Leonard's song. If I told you some of the abuse these nuns dished out you would see the terrible irony of their name. I believe the church is still trying to cover up all the horrors that went on in these institutions, even if only by "losing" records etc. I have not heard the Joni Mitchell song, and am pleased I will now be able to hear it on the Christy CD.
Diane
Ghoti, I don't think the Magdalene Laundries are widely known about outside Ireland. Peter Mullan's film, The Magdalene Sisters may have been the first time many people have been made aware (the film is very good, but doesn't depict the half of it). My own Mother grew up in an orphanage/industrial school in Ireland (same cruel regime as in the laundries). She was put there as a baby because her unmarried mother could not keep her for the shame of her "sin". My Mother managed to escape before being sent to work in the laundries full-time. The nuns who were entrusted with her care called themselves The Sisters of Mercy. They were nothing like the sisters in Leonard's song. If I told you some of the abuse these nuns dished out you would see the terrible irony of their name. I believe the church is still trying to cover up all the horrors that went on in these institutions, even if only by "losing" records etc. I have not heard the Joni Mitchell song, and am pleased I will now be able to hear it on the Christy CD.
Diane
I think when the bodies were dug up in the convent, there was lots of news coverage. Also Adoptee's trying to trace their families generated publicity, perhaps Joni knew someone personally was involved in someway 
It is such a sad thing. I was adopted myself because of the stigma attatched to illigitimacy in the 1960's.
It is such a sad thing. I was adopted myself because of the stigma attatched to illigitimacy in the 1960's.
Last edited by Ali on Sun Oct 30, 2005 7:55 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Diane
Hi Ali, perhaps you're right, I thought all the info I had came from Irish sources. I hope your adoption was a happy one. It is tragic how many women had to give up their babies back then. In Ireland in the 30's when my mother was born being an unwed mother was probably thought of as being worse than committing murder.
I am excited about getting my Christy CD's, especially in the light of your and Ghoti's comments above. Can't wait.
See you later,
Diane
I am excited about getting my Christy CD's, especially in the light of your and Ghoti's comments above. Can't wait.
See you later,
Diane
Diane, I've heard some horror stories myself about those times and it really is a hard thing to think about. What you were saying about the name of the sisters is said similarly in Joni's song ("Why do they call this heartless place our lady of charity/ of charity?") as you will no doubt learn upon your listening of the cd - The sleave notes are excellent, full lyrics and a liitle piece on each song. Hope you enjoy it 
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Dear Diane ~
Reading your comments here immediately brought to mind those you made in the Other Poetry section, on the poem Greg posted about the young girl who spent the rest of her life in prison for killing her 'illegitimate' [a misnomer in itself] child.
I hope both your and Ali's adoptions were happy ones.
Love,
Elizabeth
Reading your comments here immediately brought to mind those you made in the Other Poetry section, on the poem Greg posted about the young girl who spent the rest of her life in prison for killing her 'illegitimate' [a misnomer in itself] child.
I hope both your and Ali's adoptions were happy ones.
Love,
Elizabeth
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Diane
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Diane
My Christy cds arrived on Thursday, the same day as my dear cousin Joy died. I've put Burning Times on a couple of times. All the songs remind me of her of course. They would have anyway, because she also loved things Irish.
My first favourite is Peace in the Valley Once Again, because she would have loved those words. She hated shopping malls and loved Nature. I'd have copied the lyrics to her the moment I saw them. I will, at least, copy them into the poetry thread.
Burning Times is also a wonderful song, about the 'Burning Times' when there was an hysterical mass murder of witches in the 16th/17th century in Europe. I love the pagan godess chant in the song: Isis astarte diana hecate demeter kali inanna. The last verse compares the Earth to a witch, that we still 'burn', whilst, at the same time, the Earth"is a healer, teacher and a mother, a weaver of a web that keeps us alive" just like the witches that were persecuted back then. The song sounds like an incantation and it is beautiful.
Then there is the song, The Magdelane Laundries: Credit to Joni Mitchell for writing this song, and Christy for singing this version. My mother nearly 'graduated' to work in a laundry as I say above. It was assumed that the children would move onto the laundries when they reached the age of 16, to continue to pay penance for their sins/ the sins of their mothers, or whatever it was. We don't think my mother's mother was given any choice to keep her daughter, but that she was taken from her at birth, never to be allowed any contact. So, like the other 'orphaned' children, it was hard for her to fight against the system when she had no known family and nowhere to go. But my mother had a determination to get away, and, after a great deal of planning and courage on her part, she did. She told me it was the sight of the women who worked in the laundries, particularly the older ones - who were so institutionalised and crazy from having been there for so many years - that frightened her into her determination to escape. I'd love to tell her remarkable and inspiring story here in full, but I don't feel it's my story to tell, and she is quite reluctant to talk about what happened (so long does the sense of 'shame' indoctrinated by the church linger in those who were victimised by it), so I guess I won't go into any more detail on here.
I see the line you refer to, Ghoti, "Why do they call this heartless place Our Lady of Charity. Of Charity?" Indeed.
Further information about the Magdalene Laundries can be found in this discussion of Peter Mullan's film from a couple of years ago:
http://film.guardian.co.uk/features/fea ... 89,00.html
I imagine I will be back to write more about other songs on the album. All sung in that beautiful Irish lilt of Christy's. Thanks for the recommendation, Ali. Moore of Christy's albums will be going on my christmas list.
Diane
My first favourite is Peace in the Valley Once Again, because she would have loved those words. She hated shopping malls and loved Nature. I'd have copied the lyrics to her the moment I saw them. I will, at least, copy them into the poetry thread.
Burning Times is also a wonderful song, about the 'Burning Times' when there was an hysterical mass murder of witches in the 16th/17th century in Europe. I love the pagan godess chant in the song: Isis astarte diana hecate demeter kali inanna. The last verse compares the Earth to a witch, that we still 'burn', whilst, at the same time, the Earth"is a healer, teacher and a mother, a weaver of a web that keeps us alive" just like the witches that were persecuted back then. The song sounds like an incantation and it is beautiful.
Then there is the song, The Magdelane Laundries: Credit to Joni Mitchell for writing this song, and Christy for singing this version. My mother nearly 'graduated' to work in a laundry as I say above. It was assumed that the children would move onto the laundries when they reached the age of 16, to continue to pay penance for their sins/ the sins of their mothers, or whatever it was. We don't think my mother's mother was given any choice to keep her daughter, but that she was taken from her at birth, never to be allowed any contact. So, like the other 'orphaned' children, it was hard for her to fight against the system when she had no known family and nowhere to go. But my mother had a determination to get away, and, after a great deal of planning and courage on her part, she did. She told me it was the sight of the women who worked in the laundries, particularly the older ones - who were so institutionalised and crazy from having been there for so many years - that frightened her into her determination to escape. I'd love to tell her remarkable and inspiring story here in full, but I don't feel it's my story to tell, and she is quite reluctant to talk about what happened (so long does the sense of 'shame' indoctrinated by the church linger in those who were victimised by it), so I guess I won't go into any more detail on here.
I see the line you refer to, Ghoti, "Why do they call this heartless place Our Lady of Charity. Of Charity?" Indeed.
Further information about the Magdalene Laundries can be found in this discussion of Peter Mullan's film from a couple of years ago:
http://film.guardian.co.uk/features/fea ... 89,00.html
I imagine I will be back to write more about other songs on the album. All sung in that beautiful Irish lilt of Christy's. Thanks for the recommendation, Ali. Moore of Christy's albums will be going on my christmas list.
Diane
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Diane
This album has really grown on me. I also love the Lonesome Death of Hattie Carrol, as you do, Ali. I always seem to prefer Bob Dylan songs sung by people other than Bob. Then there’s Motherland, another beautiful song. And I like the introductory, Sixteen Fishermen Raving. It has a traditional Irish Jig feel about it. The whole album is a winner. Nice One. It will be a shame if only me you and Ghoti are listening!
Diane
Diane
I'm sorry to hear about your cousin, diane - it sounds like you were close. Your mother's story is heartbreaking, i'm glad to hear she was able to escape. As for the album i'm happy to see your enjoying it and i'm quite sure there are more than three people the world over similarly enjoying it. I have to say that it has been inspiring to me and it is an album i'm glad to have bought.
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Diane
Hi Ghoti, thanks for your kind words.
The album is a winner all right. I have also been listening to the CM collection 81-91 and am loving that too.
Ghoti, I saw my Belfast friend yesterday. I tried to get her to do a Cavan accent. She did her best. She told me it was a bit like her accent, a bit softened, and a bit country-hick. Hope I haven't said anything insulting
. Doesn't sound too bad to me. Maybe you could sail across the water to our meet-up in January, so I could hear the genuine article and get this sorted out once and for all. Be great to see you, if you could !
Good Wishes,
Diane
The album is a winner all right. I have also been listening to the CM collection 81-91 and am loving that too.
Ghoti, I saw my Belfast friend yesterday. I tried to get her to do a Cavan accent. She did her best. She told me it was a bit like her accent, a bit softened, and a bit country-hick. Hope I haven't said anything insulting
. Doesn't sound too bad to me. Maybe you could sail across the water to our meet-up in January, so I could hear the genuine article and get this sorted out once and for all. Be great to see you, if you could ! Good Wishes,
Diane
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Diane
Lizzy, OK OK, I’m thinking about it ! How about someone hurries up and invents teletransportation so we can all get beamed up to one place. I mean everyone on the forum in one place. We could even have rooms labelled ‘News’ ‘LC comments’ ‘Everything else’ ‘Poetry and music’ and so on. (Even though when you entered each room, you’d likely find the conversation was on a completely different topic.) I believe quantum teletransportation has been achieved already? So, any scientists out there, would you please hurry up and get it sorted.
Diane
How about someone hurries up and invents teletransportation so we can all get beamed up to one place. I mean everyone on the forum in one place. We could even have rooms labelled ‘News’ ‘LC comments’ ‘Everything else’ ‘Poetry and music’ and so on. (Even though when you entered each room, you’d likely find the conversation was on a completely different topic.) I believe quantum teletransportation has been achieved already? So, any scientists out there, would you please hurry up and get it sorted. Diane