Fairytale of New York

Subject: Fairytale of New York -- Christy Moore
From:
Date: 19 Oct 97 - 01:53 AM

Is anyone out there familiar with a song that Christy Moort performs called Fairytale of New York? I'm looking for help on what it's about and whether or not the song represents two people speaking or just one. If it's two people, who is saying what? I'm confused...

Subject: Lyr Add: FAIRYTALE OF NEW YORK^^^
From: alison
Date: 19 Oct 97 - 07:56 PM

FAIRYTALE OF NEW YORK

It was Christmas Eve babe
In the drunk tank
An old man said to me,
won't see another one
And then he sang a song
The Rare Old Mountain Dew
And I turned my face away
And dreamed about you

Got on a lucky one
Came in eighteen to one
I've got a feeling
This year's for me and you
So happy Christmas
I love you baby
I can see a better time
When all our dreams come true

They've got cars
Big as bars
They've got rivers of gold
But the wind goes
Right through you
It's no place for the old

When you first took my hand
on a cold Christmas Eve
You promised me
Broadway was waiting for me

You were handsome
You were pretty
Queen Of New York City
When the band finished playing
They howled out for more

Sinatra was swinging,
All the drunks they were singing
We kissed on the corner
Then danced through the night

The Boys of the NYPD choir
were singing 'Galway Bay'
And the bells were ringing
Out for Christmas day

1. You're a bum
2. You're a punk
1. You're an old slut on junk
Lying there almost dead on a drip
In that bed

1. You scum bag
2.You maggot
1.You cheap lousy faggot
2. Happy Christmas your arse
I pray God
It's our last

1. I could have been someone
2.So could anyone
1.You took my dreams
>From me when I first found you
I kept them with me babe
I put them with my own
Can't make it all alone
I've built my dreams around you

I've heard Christy Moore do this live just as one person, but the Pogues and Kirsty McColl do it as a duet singing a line each when it gets to the insulting part. I've stuck numbers in in front of the lines to give you an idea of where the parts are but I can't remember who sings what.

I reckon it's about a couple who go to New York looking for a better life who get disillusioned.

Slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Fairytale of New York
From: Öjje
Date: 20 Oct 97 - 06:04 PM

Shane MacGowan has wright this song and he sings duet with Kirsty MacColl.

Subject: RE: Fairytale of New York
From: Alan of Australia
Date: 21 Oct 97 - 05:42 AM

Talking about seeing Christy Moore live that's exactly what a few of us will be doing 1st November.

Cheers,
Alan

Subject: Lyr Add: FAIRYTALE OF NEW YORK^^^
From: KA
Date: 21 Oct 97 - 11:19 AM

FAIRYTALE OF NEW YORK

1 It was Christmas Eve babe
In the drunk tank
An old man said to me,
won't see another one
And then he sang a song
The Rare Old Mountain Dew
And I turned my face away
And dreamed about you

Got on a lucky one
Came in eighteen to one
I've got a feeling
This year's for me and you
So happy Christmas
I love you baby
I can see a better time
When all our dreams come true

2 They've got cars
Big as bars
They've got rivers of gold
But the wind goes
Right through you
It's no place for the old

When you first took my hand
on a cold Christmas Eve
You promised me
Broadway was waiting for me

1 You were handsome
2 You were pretty
1 Queen Of New York City
When the band finished playing
They howled out for more

Sinatra was swinging,
All the drunks they were singing
We kissed on the corner
Then danced through the night

1&2 The Boys of the NYPD choir
were singing 'Galway Bay'
And the bells were ringing
Out for Christmas day

1. You're a bum
2. You're a punk
1. You're an old slut on junk
Lying there almost dead on a drip
In that bed

2. You scum bag
1.You maggot
2.You cheap lousy faggot.
Happy Christmas your arse
I pray God
It's our last

1. I could have been someone
2.So could anyone
You took my dreams
From me when I first found you
1.I kept them with me babe
I put them with my own
Can't make it all alone
I've built my dreams around you

I think this is it.

1 : Man
2 : Woman

KA

Subject: RE: Fairytale of New York
From: Earl
Date: 21 Oct 97 - 11:52 PM

It would make an interesting hypertext project to connect all the threads mentioning this song. Here we have the lyrics presented three times. Let's put this song in the database.

Subject: RE: Fairytale of New York
From: Alex
Date: 22 Oct 97 - 01:14 AM

Talking about fairy tales - did you hear about the gay guy who moved out of Manhattan because he wanted to be listed in the Queens directory?

Subject: christmas in new york
From: GUEST,doug
Date: 26 Feb 00 - 07:09 AM

please help with words and chords for "christmas in new york". Recorded by Christy Moore ?

Subject: Lyr/Chords Add: FAIRYTALE OF NEW YORK
From: Ed Pellow
Date: 26 Feb 00 - 10:33 AM

A quick search in a decent search engine for: "Christy Moore" lyrics finds:

A fairytale in New York

                         C            F
   It was Christmas Eve, babe, in the drunk tank
              C                       G
   An old man said, "Son, I won't see another one"
               C                       F
   And then he sang a song, a rare old mountain tune
               C                        G     C  G
   I turned my eyes away, and I thought about you
 
I got on a lucky one, came in at 18/1
I've got a feeling this year's for me and you
So Happy Christmas, I love you baby
There's going to be good times
When all our dreams come true.
 
   C
   They've got cars big as bars
                 F
   They've got rivers of gold
    C
    But the wind blows right through you
             G
   It's no place for the old
   C
   When I first took your hand on a cold Christmas Eve
              F    G
   I told you that Broadway was waiting for me.
 
You were handsome and pretty, queen of New York city
When the band finished playing, the crowd howled for more
Sinatra was swinging, and the crowd they were singing
We kissed on the corner and danced round the floor.
 
CHORUS
        F                                        C              Am
      And the boys from the New York police choir were singin' Galway Bay
              F                  G                C
      And the bells were ringin' out on Christmas Day

I could have been someone and so could anyone
I took my dreams from you when I first met you
I kept them with me, babe, and put them with my own
I can't make it all alone
I've built my dreams around you.
 
         C            G              C           F
   You're a bum you're a punk you're an aul hoor on junk
         C            G           C           G
   Lyin' there on the drip nearly dead in the bed
           C       G          C           C
   You scumbag you maggot you cheap lousy faggot
         C            F             G         C
   Happy Christmas me arse, I would rather be dead...

Hope this helps

Ed

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: christmas in new york
From: GUEST,Doug
Date: 26 Feb 00 - 07:06 PM

Thanks Ed, thats exactly what I needed. I only caught part of the song the other day and thought I should play this. Doug.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: christmas in new york
From: Sorcha
Date: 26 Feb 00 - 07:08 PM

NOW?? You're supposed to be practicing up for Paddy's Day! It's big in NY too!:)

Subject: RE: Fairytale of New York
From: Roger in Sheffield
Date: 28 Oct 00 - 12:38 PM

Thanks for the lyrics. You have made my friend very happy. He is mumbling along with Shane right now.

Subject: RE: Fairytale of New York
From: The Shambles
Date: 28 Oct 00 - 03:35 PM

It was the very best Christmas number one hit record the UK has had or will ever have.

Subject: RE: Fairytale of New York
From: SDShad
Date: 28 Oct 00 - 03:57 PM

Christy's doing concerts again? Is this a one-time, special deal?

As for Fairytale, as much of a fan of Christy Moore as I am, he doesn't carry it off very well. Oh well--he makes up for it with so very many other songs. Done by the Pogues and Kirsty MacColl, it's sublime.

Chris

Subject: RE: Fairytale of New York
From: GUEST,SDShad
Date: 29 Oct 00 - 03:38 PM

Oops. Suppose I should've looked at the original dates of the early messages.....

Chris

Subject: RE: Fairytale of New York
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 29 Oct 00 - 04:00 PM

Good threads never die.They just have a rest.

They're both great versions - Shane's version has the power that goes with it being the fella that wrote it, whatever he sounds like singing it, and Kirsty has a great voice. But that version came across as a great record, and one you'd want to hear it again.

On the other hand, Christy's version liberated the song from the turntable or the CD player. That means that now it's a song you expect to hear people sing, or to sing yourself if you're up to it. I don't know how it works, but that's what seems to happen with songs he sings, and it doesn't happen with lots of other great siongers.

Subject: RE: Fairytale of New York
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 16 Dec 03 - 07:59 PM

i just been looking at some old threads about this,
i didnt know christy moore wrote it.

Subject: RE: Fairytale of New York
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 16 Dec 03 - 08:07 PM

Christy Moore DIDN'T write it... if yer gonna read an old thread and comment on it... make sure you READ the thread...

And I gotta disagree with SDShad... I have little or no use for Shane... outside him being one hell of a songwriter, I think he's a total waste of skin...

Christy covering this song made it in my book...
Mick O'Briens cover is almost as good...

:-)

Subject: RE: Fairytale of New York
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 16 Dec 03 - 08:09 PM

He didn't, jOhn.

It was co-written by Shane MacGowan and Jem Finer.

Subject: RE: Fairytale of New York
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 16 Dec 03 - 08:09 PM

Oh, sorry.

Subject: RE: Fairytale of New York
From: GUEST,Ligger
Date: 16 Dec 03 - 09:06 PM

James McNally has an instrumental version of this on his solo album, Every Breath. And although played on the whistle, he does manage to make it sound like conversation?

Shane being "a waste of skin".???? What has he ever done to offend you?

Subject: RE: Fairytale of New York
From: Big Tim
Date: 17 Dec 03 - 11:52 AM

It never made it to No.1, No. 2 only.

Subject: RE: Fairytale of New York
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 17 Dec 03 - 12:15 PM

"What has he ever done to offend you?"

Shown up to shows way too drunk to even stand let alone perform... not shown up at all... ( I tossed too much hard earned cash at that sh!t stain!)

I have no use for him at all outside his song writing... some of which is brilliant...

"an instrumental version of this on his solo album, Every Breath"

Now that, I'd be keen to hear!

Subject: RE: Fairytale of New York
From: GUEST,Shane's pal
Date: 08 Feb 05 - 09:43 AM

Clinton wotsyerface,

Shane says fuck off, twat

Subject: RE: Fairytale of New York
From: Splott Man
Date: 08 Feb 05 - 10:43 AM

Of course he does

Subject: RE: Fairytale of New York
From: Rain Dog
Date: 08 Feb 05 - 11:05 AM

Splott Man now you have gone and disappointed me.
I was looking forward to waiting another 2 years for a response to Guest.Shane's pal's post

Subject: RE: Fairytale of New York
From: The Unicorn Man
Date: 08 Feb 05 - 11:15 AM

I am lucky. I have heard the John Breeze version. Very funny. As one would expect.

Subject: RE: Fairytale of New York
From: GUEST,Shane's pal
Date: 09 Feb 05 - 11:42 AM

Sorry Clinton, wasn't Shane.

Twas Alistair Campbell.

Subject: RE: Fairytale of New York
From: GUEST,ClintonHammond
Date: 09 Feb 05 - 11:59 AM

And I should care why?

Subject: RE: Fairytale of New York
From: breezy
Date: 09 Feb 05 - 08:09 PM

and in what way was it funny Martin??

you waste of snot, you didnt come to guru.

I only sing this song in December and I only do it solo if Sue F aint around.

I do it with total respect.

Its a great and unique number.

dont go much on Shane's teeth either.

'waste of skin', thats a cruel and unkind thing to say of anyone, even if its true, it shouldnt be said out of it being hurtful.

respect.

This friday in St Albans ,at the Legion Les Sullivan and Kitty Vernon

Subject: RE: Fairytale of New York
From: GUEST,ossonflags at werk
Date: 10 Feb 05 - 05:59 AM

I think shane mcgowan has more talent and sensitivity in his little finger than most people have in the rest of their bodies. "waste of skin" Well Clinton, dont see you selling or writing many major hits.

Subject: RE: Fairytale of New York
From: GUEST,Shane's pal
Date: 10 Feb 05 - 09:18 AM

We know you do care, Clinton or you would not have posted.

Subject: RE: Fairytale of New York
From: goodbar
Date: 10 Feb 05 - 11:20 PM

the pogues are awesome and shane macgowan is my man.

Subject: RE: Fairytale of New York
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 10 Feb 05 - 11:26 PM

Somebody needs to call you people a whhhaaaaambulance...

Subject: RE: Fairytale of New York
From: Big Mick
Date: 11 Feb 05 - 01:16 AM

I went to the first Guinness Fleadh in the States. It was held on Randall's Island, NY. Shane and the Popes were playing. He was at least an hour late, arrived so drunk that he fell off the stage, and was incomprehensible while singing. I contrasted this with Christy Moore, Davy Spillane, Van Morrison, and a bunch more. They arrived on time, conducted themselves like pro's, and entertained the hell out of us. As a performer, if you have no respect for the audience, you ain't much. I will never pay money to see this slob play again. He wrote a couple of good songs, one in particular. Beyond that he isn't worth the time or money to see.

Mick

Subject: RE: Fairytale of New York
From: GUEST,milk monitor
Date: 11 Feb 05 - 11:39 AM

Tastes differ. Having seen Shane numerous times over the last twenty years, in UK and Eire, with Pogues and The Popes, I have never left a gig feeling short changed. His problems are apparent, but they haven't detracted from him being a genius wordsmith and surrounded by top class musicians. I don't expect his performance to be in line with anyone else on a particular bill, because he isn't anyone else.

His gigs in UK and Eire are all out party occasions, have never heard a complaint and yes he has arrived late (often), but nobody expects otherwise. Sure that can be a pain in the middle of a festival line up, however the promoters are under no illusion about Shane's reputation, and they know he'll draw a crowd.

Subject: RE: Fairytale of New York
From: The Unicorn Man
Date: 11 Feb 05 - 01:12 PM

Ar I ment funny in a most respectful way of course. Getting some what less snotty

Subject: RE: Fairytale of New York
From: Big Mick
Date: 11 Feb 05 - 04:57 PM

If he had just been late, I could have lived with it. He literally couldn't talk, let alone sing. Their was no show, just a sorry drunk that couldn't perform.

Mick

Subject: RE: Fairytale of New York
From: ranger1
Date: 11 Feb 05 - 05:20 PM

Geez, Mick, you're lucky he was at least there! He never showed up here in Portland, ME. After an hour, one of the Popes came out and gave us a song and dance about how Shane's flight from Rhode Island had been cancelled due to weather. It was a clear night in Maine, and I doubt it was any worse in Rhode Island (where the hell do people fly out of in Rhode Island, anyway? Is the state even big enough to have a runway long enough?). However, our friend who worked in the bar across the street from the venue told us that Shane was over there getting too blotto to perform. We were lucky, we got our money refunded, and that kicked off one of the most memorable nights out I've ever had. Someday I might be persuaded to tell the story...

Subject: RE: Fairytale of New York
From: The Unicorn Man
Date: 11 Feb 05 - 05:45 PM

I have played in front of him. How about that? In a busking competiton in London. I was about 16 then and he was kinder than Simon Cowal.

Subject: RE: Fairytale of New York
From: ranger1
Date: 11 Feb 05 - 05:53 PM

Oh, I'm not really complaining. I would have been happy if they'd wheeled him in on a dolly passed out. As it was, I think we had a more memorable evening because he wasn't there.

Subject: RE: Fairytale of New York
From: GUEST,milk monitor
Date: 11 Feb 05 - 07:22 PM

Mick I can understand your disappointment then, but our expectations differ. Over here we don't go to hear Shane sing, we go to help him sing. And if that means a couple of thousand people belting out 'Boys from the County Hell', then so be it, and may the hairs on the back of my neck rise in admiration.

His gigs here are very interactive, if that makes sense? But you come away feeling as though you have all contributed to it. We all get to celebrate his words.

I can envisage that if he does have an untimely death, the tabloids will be dotted with his lyrics in various stories, and some people who have written him off as a worthless drunk will be surprised. I hesitate to say pleasantly, as he does seem to invoke negative feelings in some, maybe deep down we don't like to see pure, raw talent destroy itself.

I'll shut up now, cos I'm rambling. I just think he's one of todays true poetic figures.

Subject: RE: Fairytale of New York
From: Big Mick
Date: 11 Feb 05 - 07:45 PM

A number of musicians that I admire, and am fortunate to call friend feel the same way, MM. And had there been any chance that we could have sung along, that would have been fine. I don't see this as a "over here, over there" thing. And feel free to ramble, cos you make some pretty good sense.

All the best,

Mick

Subject: RE: Fairytale of New York
From: J-boy
Date: 25 Dec 10 - 11:47 PM

Brilliant song. Happy Birthday Shane!

Subject: RE: Fairytale of New York
From: GUEST,Desi C
Date: 26 Dec 10 - 07:56 AM

Yes as many I'm sure have pointed out it was recorded by The Pogues with Kirsty McColl, Kirtsy actually added the the line 'so could anyone' in response to Shane's line 'I could have been someone' it didn't exist in the original lyrics, a touch of genius I think

Subject: RE: Fairytale of New York
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 26 Dec 10 - 09:07 AM

"Kirtsy actually added the the line 'so could anyone' in response to Shane's line 'I could have been someone' it didn't exist in the original lyrics, a touch of genius I think"

That'a not true - the line "so could anyone" is in the Pogues demo of the song with Shane & Cait O'Riordan, which pre-dates the version by Kirsty & Shane by several years.

Subject: RE: Fairytale of New York
From: Andy Jackson
Date: 26 Dec 10 - 09:40 AM

I always liked the pogues and Kirty Mc C until I heard KT Tunstall with James Dean Bradfield (of the Manic Street Preachers)on the Chris Evans show the other morning.

Subject: RE: Fairytale of New York
From: EBarnacle
Date: 26 Dec 10 - 05:44 PM

Lady Hillary and I were at a performance of Scream Along with Billy [Hough], a very Nico [not a spelling error] Christmas on Dec. 24. He and his group performed Fairytale of NY. They did it so well that my original dissatisfaction with his style was eased enough that we stayed and enjoyed the remained of the performance. Things have to be pretty rough when you consider walking out on comp tickets.

This guy has a lot of talent and, if he does not destroy himself with screaming, drugs and alcohol may become one of the greats.

Subject: RE: Fairytale of New York
From: EBarnacle
Date: 26 Dec 10 - 05:44 PM

Oops, that should have been Dec. 23, not 24.

Subject: RE: Fairytale of New York
From: GUEST,Alan Whittle
Date: 27 Dec 10 - 06:19 AM

I think you kind of miss the point about Shane's genius - about genius in general come to that.

Shane is a performance artist. there is an onstage persona - like Bowie as Ziggy Stardust, Madonna as whoever she is this week, Mike Waterson as a Waterson.

Shane stays in character some of the time offstage - to sustain his songwriting. The character Shane has chosen is the loquacious drunken, feted celebrity Celtic poet - Dylan Thomas and Brendhan Beham setting out the original paradigms or blueprints, whatever.

Maybe Shane stays in character too much, but as Alan Bennet says in his essay about Louis MacNeice, MacNeice was too normal - if you don't go overboard, you won't make much of a splash.

Shane is a product of the English public school system. A system ruthlessly dedicated to creating leaders of the pack. That's where Shane's clear sighted ambition comes from and what will save him from an untimely death in the Bix Beiderbecke, Jimi Hendrix fashion.