Can somebody enlighten me as to where the song "Ride On" is all about? I've heard say it's about the Partition, others mention the Troubles, and there's also a theory it's about one IRA-guy in particular.
Thank you.
I don't know but someone who has given up his/her like for something they beleive in deserves to refered to something better than an IRA guy...............
I guess the song means whatever you want it to, I don't believe it was written about anything in particular. By IRA guy, I take it that you meant brave freedom fighter.
My impression has always been that it's a tale of two lovers that cannot be together due to different stations in life yet share a clandestine relationship.
- I used the term "IRA-guy" in a general way, for, being Dutch, I know too little about Irish politics and stuff. I meant no disrespect (nor respect, either, for that matter).
- The singer of my band Ballyhooley (check youtube for some of our videos - search for ballyhooley irish music) came up with the song and said it had to do with the IRA or something, but I couldn't find anything in the lyrics to support this. And as I always like to know what the songs that we do are all about, I thought I might approach thesession.
someone's taking off because they're way to clever for you.
when i sing this song i always imagine that it's the sadness when a loved one leaves to pursue a career, or further their education, leaving the simple folk somewhat sorrowful.
Considering the plentiful supply of funny fags in Ireland after 1970 and the abundant supply of ADD candidates (scratches head and yawns), methinks it is a half baked reading off of a headstone over the grave of one of Ireland's many talented writers ( does the sugar loaf mountain have anything to do with it?) ;and, combined with a semiconscious accommodation of the fact that Ireland was once again at war with the English ( lets the weak minded fools of the world go search for a reason to disagree), which boots the robotized Padrig into action, or something, well anything not requiring too much effort. The effect to show his/her chutzpah and make a few bucks just like iPaddy Moloney and his 'Commisariat of Oirish Musak Compliance Sessions Be Jazus'... well I think you probably get the general idea.
Not quite as thick as CCE but nearly half as clever.
That is an unwarrented slur on Ireland's finest musical ambassadors, "The Chieftains". What is it about people making money from the music? I wouldn't mind if they were making £600 million a year each, and we were trying to get back £590 million in tax to create a better society, (see I am not a communist, just a socialist) and they were tax exiles, but that is not the case.
Some of the best music I heard was at Chieftain's concerts in the late 1960s and early 1970s. I admit that was before the standard slipped, and they let in the likes of Molloy, but you can't have everything.
And poor Maloney. Such a lot of abuse for one major sin,. he is a good piper.
So, either it is jealousy of the money or playing ability, or maybe it is an Irish thing that they only like thieves when it comes to earning money. That would explain the Government anyway.
I read somewhere that it IS about joining the IRA, but from the other point of view.
As I understand it the guy has decided he must split up with his girlfriend because SHE has joined the IRA, and his conscience prevents him from condoning the violence, even though he believes in the cause.
It's an explanation that seems tio fit the lyric, as well as the sadness in the tune.
Well there you go, Take any piece of music repeat it enough and sure someone will call it cheesy! But actually its not the song, its your attitude. Its still the same song it ever was. Classic. Any tune or song can be cheesy. Its how you look at it.
Blessed are the cheesemongers jig!
There's aways some old peddlar around for some old junk!
CHEESE!
Its all those bhfuankers singing it badly that have metamorphosed it into EDAM.
I sang this song a thousand times with and without my band, and I always felt, without much deep thinking, that it was a love song. Then one night I was singing it solo, and a thought struck me -- out of where, I don't know -- that basically said "This is about death."
I love the Mary Coughlan version with Spillane, infact I'm learning it with a few mates... I can get my head round most of the pipe part, but how the feck does spillane reach the 3rd octave d#??? I never knew the pipe chanter can get that high? except a rumour that seamus ennis could reach 3rd octave E which turns out to be a load of crap.
What's the subject of the song "Ride On" ?
What's the subject of the song "Ride On" ?
Can somebody enlighten me as to where the song "Ride On" is all about? I've heard say it's about the Partition, others mention the Troubles, and there's also a theory it's about one IRA-guy in particular.
Thank you.
# Posted on September 19th 2007 by Emerald BT
Re: What's the subject of the song "Ride On" ?
I don't know but someone who has given up his/her like for something they beleive in deserves to refered to something better than an IRA guy...............
# Posted on September 19th 2007 by Saint
Re: What's the subject of the song "Ride On" ?
I guess the song means whatever you want it to, I don't believe it was written about anything in particular. By IRA guy, I take it that you meant brave freedom fighter.
# Posted on September 19th 2007 by strayaway
Re: What's the subject of the song "Ride On" ?
Well I may be obtuse but I thought it was a love song, saddened by their loves departure? Well according to the lyrics that is......
# Posted on September 19th 2007 by jig
Re: What's the subject of the song "Ride On" ?
Look at it this way, a horse with eyes wild and green bother the hell out if me. As far as I know it is suppose to be a love song.
# Posted on September 19th 2007 by Joze
Re: What's the subject of the song "Ride On" ?
It's about a lovely horse, a very lovely horse indeed.
It's not so much about being in love with the horse, more about being the horses friend and having a bit of a laugh with the horse.
Take this lump of sugar baby...
# Posted on September 19th 2007 by proinsiasrua
Re: What's the subject of the song "Ride On" ?
My impression has always been that it's a tale of two lovers that cannot be together due to different stations in life yet share a clandestine relationship.
Peace,
Ed
# Posted on September 19th 2007 by ejsant
Re: What's the subject of the song "Ride On" ?
The place to discuss this is:
http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=11826#90865
# Posted on September 19th 2007 by kuec
Re: What's the subject of the song "Ride On" ?
A singer in a group I was with always announced it as 'The Lawnmower Song'?
# Posted on September 19th 2007 by Free Reed
Re: What's the subject of the song "Ride On" ?
"By IRA guy, I take it that you meant brave freedom fighter."
That's a bit of a leap.
# Posted on September 19th 2007 by RockyRoader
Re: What's the subject of the song "Ride On" ?
Thanks for all the feedback.
- I used the term "IRA-guy" in a general way, for, being Dutch, I know too little about Irish politics and stuff. I meant no disrespect (nor respect, either, for that matter).
- The singer of my band Ballyhooley (check youtube for some of our videos - search for ballyhooley irish music) came up with the song and said it had to do with the IRA or something, but I couldn't find anything in the lyrics to support this. And as I always like to know what the songs that we do are all about, I thought I might approach thesession.
Thanks again. Take care.
# Posted on September 19th 2007 by Emerald BT
Re: What's the subject of the song "Ride On" ?
The missing final verse for this is:
When you wake up in bed with a big horse's head
That's amore...amore!
("The Godfather" had come out a few years before Jimmy MacCarthy wrote this and J.M. was clearly under Mario Puzo's spell.)
# Posted on September 19th 2007 by NEW Pure Drop® Ear Canal Oil
Re: What's the subject of the song "Ride On" ?
If it is about love, it is about the hurting kind. Goes great with a blues harmonica in the background, though.
# Posted on September 19th 2007 by AlBrown
Re: What's the subject of the song "Ride On" ?
Have you heard me then, Al?
# Posted on September 19th 2007 by bodhran bliss
Re: What's the subject of the song "Ride On" ?
I think it's all about love, maybe sex and drugs and rock'n'roll, too
I love the version by Mary Coughlan with Davey Spillane on pipes and the version of some friends, kind of punk, ultra fast !
# Posted on September 19th 2007 by swisspiper
Re: What's the subject of the song "Ride On" ?
bb, So you give it the blues treatment also, eh?
# Posted on September 19th 2007 by AlBrown
Re: What's the subject of the song "Ride On" ?
As far as I know, when AC/DC recorded it, it was about the loneliness of being a late night motorcyclist.
# Posted on September 19th 2007 by Wurzel
Re: What's the subject of the song "Ride On" ?
someone's taking off because they're way to clever for you.
when i sing this song i always imagine that it's the sadness when a loved one leaves to pursue a career, or further their education, leaving the simple folk somewhat sorrowful.
that's always been my take on it, anyway!
# Posted on September 19th 2007 by mehitabel23
Re: What's the subject of the song "Ride On" ?
Considering the plentiful supply of funny fags in Ireland after 1970 and the abundant supply of ADD candidates (scratches head and yawns), methinks it is a half baked reading off of a headstone over the grave of one of Ireland's many talented writers ( does the sugar loaf mountain have anything to do with it?) ;and, combined with a semiconscious accommodation of the fact that Ireland was once again at war with the English ( lets the weak minded fools of the world go search for a reason to disagree), which boots the robotized Padrig into action, or something, well anything not requiring too much effort. The effect to show his/her chutzpah and make a few bucks just like iPaddy Moloney and his 'Commisariat of Oirish Musak Compliance Sessions Be Jazus'... well I think you probably get the general idea.
Not quite as thick as CCE but nearly half as clever.
But OC I could be completely mistaken
# Posted on September 19th 2007 by Schlongbow
Re: What's the subject of the song "Ride On" ?
That is an unwarrented slur on Ireland's finest musical ambassadors, "The Chieftains". What is it about people making money from the music? I wouldn't mind if they were making £600 million a year each, and we were trying to get back £590 million in tax to create a better society, (see I am not a communist, just a socialist) and they were tax exiles, but that is not the case.
Some of the best music I heard was at Chieftain's concerts in the late 1960s and early 1970s. I admit that was before the standard slipped, and they let in the likes of Molloy, but you can't have everything.
And poor Maloney. Such a lot of abuse for one major sin,. he is a good piper.
So, either it is jealousy of the money or playing ability, or maybe it is an Irish thing that they only like thieves when it comes to earning money. That would explain the Government anyway.
# Posted on September 19th 2007 by bodhran bliss
Re: What's the subject of the song "Ride On" ?
I read somewhere that it IS about joining the IRA, but from the other point of view.
As I understand it the guy has decided he must split up with his girlfriend because SHE has joined the IRA, and his conscience prevents him from condoning the violence, even though he believes in the cause.
It's an explanation that seems tio fit the lyric, as well as the sadness in the tune.
# Posted on September 20th 2007 by bc_box_player
Re: What's the subject of the song "Ride On" ?
Who gives a fiddlers?
I'm sick of the song anyway.
It has become CHEESE - pure f****** EDAM.
Smelly cheesey ding dong!
# Posted on September 20th 2007 by doggone
Re: What's the subject of the song "Ride On" ?
Well there you go, Take any piece of music repeat it enough and sure someone will call it cheesy! But actually its not the song, its your attitude. Its still the same song it ever was. Classic. Any tune or song can be cheesy. Its how you look at it.
# Posted on September 20th 2007 by jig
Re: What's the subject of the song "Ride On" ?
Cast a cold eye
on life, on death.
Horseman, pass by!
Ride on as if you did not hear her wail, if you can!
# Posted on September 21st 2007 by Schlongbow
Re: What's the subject of the song "Ride On" ?
Blessed are the cheesemongers jig!
There's aways some old peddlar around for some old junk!
CHEESE!
Its all those bhfuankers singing it badly that have metamorphosed it into EDAM.
# Posted on September 21st 2007 by doggone
Re: What's the subject of the song "Ride On" ?
cheesemakers even!
# Posted on September 21st 2007 by doggone
Re: What's the subject of the song "Ride On" ?
I sang this song a thousand times with and without my band, and I always felt, without much deep thinking, that it was a love song. Then one night I was singing it solo, and a thought struck me -- out of where, I don't know -- that basically said "This is about death."
Ever since then I've treated it differently.
# Posted on September 22nd 2007 by Jmbu
Re: What's the subject of the song "Ride On" ?
I've thought it was about death as well... hmmm
I love the Mary Coughlan version with Spillane, infact I'm learning it with a few mates... I can get my head round most of the pipe part, but how the feck does spillane reach the 3rd octave d#??? I never knew the pipe chanter can get that high? except a rumour that seamus ennis could reach 3rd octave E which turns out to be a load of crap.
anyone got any suggestions? :P
# Posted on February 26th 2008 by Scrappy the Godo