Irish traditional song lyrics — collected by Beer Belly Band.
Well me name is Nuke Power a terror am I;
I can cause such destruction on land, sea and sky
Your Minister tells you I’ll do you no harm
If he locks me up in his house down in Carne
Chorus:
Toora loo Toora lay
I can cripple and main cause death and decay
He’ll have me well guarded by night and by day
With soldiers on land and with sailors on see’
But no one can tame me I’ll be restless I warn
If he tries to lock me in his house down ‘in Carne
Chorus
Such a beautiful country I see all around
Where people and flowers and fishes abound
I’ll change that whole scene in ten seconds I warn
If he tries to lock me in his house down in Carne
Chorus
I’ll poison your children I’ll strangle your dog
I’ll kill every creature on land, sea and bog
I’ll devastate Ireland from Kilarney to Larne
If he tries to lock me in his house down in Carne
Chorus
Now I have three comrades called wind, rain and sun
Very powerful are they and also they’re great fun
Treat them with respect and they’ll do you no harm
They’ll work for you free every day down in Carne
Chorus
Now all you fine people I make a strong plea
Go tell your Minister to let me go free
If you don’t try to use me I’ll do you no harm
So don’t let him let me in his house down in Carne
Chorus
This song was written by my wife’s uncle, Jim “Doc” Whelan, when the Irish Government was intent on building Ireland’s first nuclear power plant in Carne, near Carnsore Point in 1978. Check out the Carnsore Festival page. It’s in “The Christy Moore Songbook”, but the Lyrics are slightly different. Sadly, Doc died in October 1996. Here is a letter from Christy Moore to Jim, discussing the song and it’s recital on the Late-Late’, as well as details of the Antinuclear label.
Martin Jonas informs me that this song was published in a compilation album by Tara Records in 1986. The album is called “The Irish Folk Collection” and consists of releases of rare Tara singles. One of the tracks is called “Nuke Power” by “The Early Grave Band” and is clearly being sung by Christy. Other tracks on this album are Barry Moore: “People Will Die”, both sides of Moving Hearts “Oil Sheiks/Promises” single (which does not feature Christy) and “State Music” (with Flo McSweeney, but not
listing Christy). Notes taken from the Christy Moore Website.