Claddagh Records has made the unreleased Christy Moore track ‘The Big Marquee’ available exclusively to Cork radio stations, 12 days before its worldwide release.

The track is taken from the upcoming album A Terrible Beauty, which is set to come out on November 1.

‘The Big Marquee’ has already been a gig favorite, especially in Cork, with a chorus that celebrates Cork’s famous open top gig: “On the Banks, the Banks, the beautiful Banks,” the lyrics read, “On the Banks of the River Lee / Saturday night we’re packed in tight / All together in The Big Marquee.”

Speaking of the track, which he wrote to express his love and respect for the Rebel County, Moore explains: “Michael Devine and I were heading to Cork to play in The Big Marquee. This event has been running for the past 18 years and I’m happy to say that I’ve played it every year bar one.

“The location is perfect. On the Banks of The River Lee, in a leafy Industrial Suburb within walking distance of the City Centre. There is a magic about this gig. I thought to write a song about it. Apart from Karl Marx, Puccini, Joe Mac and Queen Elizabeth I’ve met all those mentioned in the song. I first sang it in Cork’s Opera House at a Concert to honour Don O’Leary.”

Moore will play 12 sold-out shows at Vicar Street in Dublin across November (2, 7, 13, 20 & 28), December (5, 11, 18 & 30) and January (5, 12, 20).