This clip is from a Planxty reunion concert in vicker street Dublin. The entire performance from that night is pure magic . I also recommend listening to Christy sing a song titled ' Natives' an outstanding piece of songwriting . Peace from Ireland . Take care.
Was fortunate to get a ticket to this very gig. Myself and my brother in law. Time certainly stood still for that show and I was mesmerized throughout. I appreciated it then but after a number of years I can tell you I actually wasn't aware of the full magic I was witnessing. Little musgrave transfixed the whole audience.
Wow , unreal I remember the first time I heard this on utube mabey 10 years ago , I still come back for a listen once a week . What a gig you will never forget it!
The best typing error I've ever made. Planks turned to Planxty, and now the introduction to the most heartfelt music I've ever had the pleasure of hearing. Wishing I hadn't wasted so much time with Lil Wayne, Katy Perry, etc.. Christy Moore is amazing.
It fell upon a holy day, As many in the year, Musgrave to the church did go, To see fine ladies there And some were dressed in velvet red And some in velvet pale Then came Lord Barnard's wife The fairest 'mongst them all She cast an eye on the Little Musgrave As bright as summer's sun Said Musgrave unto himself This lady's heart I've won I have loved you, fair lady, full long and many's the day. And I have loved you, Little Musgrave, and never a word did say. I've a bower in Bucklesfordbury, it's my heart's delight. I'll take you back there with me if you'll lie in me arms tonight. But standing by was a little footpage, from the lady's coach he ran, Although I am a lady's page, I am Lord Barnard's man. And milord Barnard will hear of this, oh whether I sink or swim. Everywhere the bridge was broke he'd enter the water and swim. Oh milord Barnard, milord Barnard, you are a man of life, But Musgrave, he's at Bucklesfordbury, asleep with your wedded wife. If this be true, me little footpage, this thing that you tell me, All the gold in Bucklesfordbury I gladly will give to thee. But if this be a lie, me little footpage, this thing that you tell me, From the highest tree in Bucklesfordbury hanged you will be. Go saddle me the black, " he said, "go saddle me the gray. And sound ye not your horns, " he said, "lest our coming be betrayed. But there was a man in Lord Barnard's thrain, who loved the Little Musgrave, He blew his horn both loud and shrill, Away, Musgrave, away. I think I hear the morning cock, I think I hear the jay, I think I hear Lord Barnard's men, I wish I was away. Lie still, lie still, me Little Musgrave, hug me from the cold, It's nothing but a shepherd lad, a-bringing his flock to fold. Is not your hawk upon it's perch, your steed eats oats and hay, And you a lady in your arms, and yet you'd go away. He's turned her around and he's kissed her twice, and then they fell asleep, When they awoke Lord Barnard's men were standing at their feet. How do ye like me bed, " he said, "and how do you like me sheets? How do you like me fair lady, that lies in your arms asleep? It's well I like your bed, he said, and great it gives me pain, I'd gladly give a hundred pound to be on yonder plain. Rise up, rise up, Little Musgrave, rise up and then put on. It'll not be said in this country I slayed a naked man. So slowly, so slowly he got up, so slowly he put on. Slowly down the stairs, thinking to be slain. There are two swords down by my side, and dear they cost me purse. You can have the best of them, and I will take the worst. And the first stroke that Little Musgrave stroke, it hurt Lord Barnard sore, But the next stroke Lord Barnard stroke, Little Musgrave ne'er stroke more. And then up spoke the lady fair, from the bed whereon she lay, Although you're dead, me Little Musgrave, still for you I'll pray. How do you like his cheeks, he said, How do you like his chin? How do you like his dead body, now there's no life within? It's more I like his cheeks, she cried, and more I want his chin, It's more I love that dead body, than all your kith and kin. He's taken out his long long sword, to strike the mortal blow, Through and through the lady's heart, the cold steel it did go. A grave, a grave, " Lord Barnard cried, to put these lovers in, With me lady on the upper hand. She came from better kin. For I've just killed the finest knight that ever rode a steed. And I've just killed the finest lady that ever did a woman's deed. It fell upon a holy day, as many's in the year, Musgrave to the church did go, to see fine ladies there.
Found this fabulous music many years ago....I made my best friend sing Arthur McBride ... until she knew every word!!! 40 years later we are still best friends!
you magagie22, are obviously a very wise human being indded, a perfect song, will always earn a perfect moment to appreciate it. This is the sort of stuff musical geniuses dream of performing with such perfection once in a lifetime.....
It is a warm night, the windows are wide open, the moon is full, it is warm and I have listened once more to what must be the saddest most haunting song I have ever known. The sadness and the beauty leave me with a strange warm feeling. Everything is going to be good.
I come back to this every now and then it does the soul good Christy Donal Liam and Andy in truly the finest form would have loved to be there RIP Liam an amazing musician
Andrew Farrell me and my family are sitting up listening to this song learning to play guitar it's 1am in the morning no tv on just music and good times , I read your comment out to my family , you are so right our culture is so deep ! Homeland 🍀
My lord, I'll never stop laughing at each of Christy's digs and goofy remarks in these old recordings. What a great sense of humor and what an otherworldly band.
I've had the great honour of attending many Christy Moore concerts, it must be at least 20 times. I also travelled to Dublin to see Planxty when they reunited about 15 years ago. It was wonderful to see them all together again... Stay safe everyone ❤ 🙏
Scott May I discovered this song the same night that Christie Moore came to Charlottesville, VA, just a couple of hours after he’d performed. So I missed it. Weird cosmic stuff.
@@TheThoughtfulwolf That's a shame. He is not the best of flyers so he might not get back to the USA.... If you get the opportunity to see him take it.... it will be a blessing. A lovely man and great storyteller and musician. 🙂
Scott May I have absolutely no doubt! I’ll keep my eyes open. Of course right now, not much is going on. I still feel blessed just knowing his music. Thank you very much for your reply. ❤️
The last set of concerts they did and they will never tour again due to Liam's death; all of us that ever saw them were the lucky ones. Thank you boys.
God.I @m so lucky.Without gloating or been smug, have been lucky enough to see planxty in 1980, in 2004/5 and Christy about 25 times. Every concert a glorious experience. And it's not all down to Christy; Andy, Liam and Donal are equally, if not more, important.
I went to Planxtys final concert in 1980/1. I have no memory of anything but this. I was totally lost in this song. It has stayed with me all these years. I was lost to everything except Christy's performance. I also love Arthur McBride by Paul Brady and Andy Irvine.
A musical masterpiece:- it doesn't get better than this, this love song drives tears into my eyes every single I revisit it ... (just listen to the tin whistle at 8:14 - "the cold steel it did go" ...sends shivers down my spine every time) wonderful stuff, every second of the 10:14 thats in it. Time well spent in this day and age.....
When I discovered Planxty it was an epiphany day I’ll never forget. A dear friend from Motherwell made me a tape prior to my wedding. I was blown sideways.
I heard this for the first time in 1988...an it never fails to make the tears run...i hope to take my wife to see Christy and let her hear that distinctive voice
One of the most enchanting songs ever performed. Every time we hear it, It reminds us of our wedding. Honeymooned in Clare. The greatest place on the planet and that's coming from 2 Dubs. God Bless you Christy
My dad grew up with Christy, Donal and Liam. He bought this DVD and cried his eyes out watching it. I only saw Christy play for the first time at home in Newbridge a month ago. I was blown away. I love this song.
I have just bought Christy Moore's early years cd this song features on the disk one of two it's a cracking collection of Christie's music it's keeping me going with this never ending lockdown
Chanson magique. Christy Moore ; un des meilleurs du folk irlandais , comme son ami Shane Mc Gowan. Planxty , Grand groupe au meme titre que les Dubliners. Slainte !
There was a harpist at the Southern California Renaissance Faire in the 1970s and 80s, named Indus Arthur, who sang a version of this song with slightly different words and a different tune, but all the elements are there, except Lord Barnard blew his own horn. ( I think not wanting to find what he found.) She sadly passed away of brain cancer in the late 80s, but this was one of my whole family's favorite songs. This version does it Justice and more!
The Irish must be proud...a truly GREAT band, they inspired me to one of my paintings (the Well Below the Valley)...can see it as a background on my homepage if at all interested...BUT the subject is the earthiness and wonder of the great Planxty! Thanks so much!
It reminds me of the old Ballad, Barbara Allen. Christy's deliverance of such a touching, wonderful and Beautiful story, complimented by the amazing sweet tune, is totally captivating ❤
So beautiful. I adore Nic Jones' tune, put to such fine use here by Christy Moore. A work colleague in 1970 in London was a pal of Nic Jones and had him come and perform in our basement bar. "Little Musgrave" is one of many gems on his LP of that moment, "Ballads and Songs".
James Derenach When he first opens up the pipes on this tune, it absolutely cracks my heart open. He was such a beautiful soul, and humble as a blade of grass
Thank you guys for this peace of music-history on RU-vid ! Now i will pick one of my three Planxty-CD`s and listen it to a glas of good wine! Really fine music!!! Bernhard,Germany
I learned a slight variation of these words in the early 60's, but the story is basically the same. The broadside ballad goes back to at least the 17th Century under the name of "Little Musgrave and Lady Barnard". There are also variation of the words in the Child Ballads from the 19th Century. I first learned it as "Matty Groves" as performed by Jean Ritchie.
I absolutely love this tune, thank you so much for posting it! I found it by a mistake, and fell in love with it, the lyrics are so beautiful. And he has a really nice and strong voice.
+Cornelis Schutter Hi Cornelis. I visited Castle Ellen in 2004. My great grandparents worked and met there. The emigrated to the US in 1887. I took many photos including "the fields of Athenry" that my great grand dad worked. Michael has doe a great job restoring what he can and promoting the arts in the meantime. Would love to hear your impressions of the place.
