Had the pleasure of interviewing Ron many years ago. Such a brilliant fellow and Sony’s Dream may just be the greatest Canadian song ever written. Sorely missed.
Sorry I misspelled Sonny. Long day at the computer. BTW Wonderful Grand Band the best Canadian musical ensemble ever and thank god for the humour provided by Greg Malone and Tommy Sexton. Loved every minute of it - the package was the real deal.
So true!! The band just bops and thumps. He omitted one verse ("Sonny's dreams can't be real") curiously... One of those moments where you wish the song would just keep going forever
What a national treasure Canada will always have in this beautiful man! I can never listen to this song without tearing up. Ron was an artist who could weave emotional ballads that speak of things we all experience in our lives; crafting them with lyrics and music that completely engulf the heart and soul! God bless you Ron! You make life so much richer for so many...........Thank you @NewfoundlandMusicMan for sharing this gem with everyone!
I arrived here after seeing the song covered by Christy Moore. I never heard of Ron Hynes until now and I’m sad I missed it. This song is simply incredible.
Thank you Ron - I can remember the first time I met you at the Strand Lounge in Atlantic Place. Wasn't yesterday...but I will admit that I wasn't old enough to be there. Not sure any of us were. RIP in my man...
I guess that Dislike was a Idiot.I met Ron Hynes many years and he is & was & always will be a Great man, who Loved and Loves his Province.He sang about it in all of his music.I Love and Respect him so much.The sad thing is, U never hear anything about him any more.I just read that Ron Passed Last Year.That Sucks.The Music World Lost A Great Man.(RIP)///
Rest in peace, my father teaching my this song will never go in vein . amazing artist , amazing man. God bless newfoundland ! A song for the generations , I'll make sure my son knows about your legacy bud.
@ Donna Grant........ Agree1000%!! Anyone who cannot see what a gift this man was to Canada and the world is not only miserable, but an unhappy soul void of emotion. I also pray that anyone whose heart is not moved by this song will open their heart and find peace and joy in their life. I have heard this song countless times and I am always overcome with a myriad of emotions which make the mind reflect and tears flow. Ron wrote this in a moment of true inspiration from God. Liam Clancy, Emmylou Harris, Mary Black and Dolores Keane truly honor this gifted songwriter/singer with their versions as well. Ron, may you rest in peace for eternity with the Lord and His angels. Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful song @NewfoundlandMusicMan!
Happened to walk into the Rose & Thistle on Water Street sometime around 2003, Ron Hynes was just finishing up a set. This was the last song he performed, though actually he sang very little of it - he started it off and let those of us in the pub sing the rest 😄 The only time I saw him live.
I can remember being about 4 or 5 years old, and this song made me feel so sad. It was the first song to ever bring about emotion in me, and I will always remember it. Another song my parents would play that brought another strong reaction was Sylvias Mother - Dr Hook. :)
Actually, there should be 900000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 likes.
It's a song about a young man who dreams of leaving home and following his dreams but instead decides to be the good son and stay home to take care of his mother who has no one after his father left and never came home.
I had the fun pleasure, in my teens, to party one evening with members of this band ... :-) I was a young driver at the time & when I leaving, I backed my car into another car ... lol, the young guy who owned it, fortunately, was sweet & his family owned a dealership or something so it was done at a discount ... hmm, wonder now if in fact it was! (It cost me a few $$$) Ha.
Does anyone know where the additional verse came from? The one that goes -- Many years have gone by. Sonny's old and alone. His daddy the sailor never came home. Sonny wonders sometimes what his life may have been. From the grave his mom ma's words haunt all his dreams. Sonny don't go away... (or something like that as I recall.) RIP Ron.
+Susan Taylor Thank you, yes, Christy Moore does sing that chorus as do others, but my question was: Where did the additional chorus come from? In other words if Ron Hynes did not write it... Who did?
I suspect it was Christy Moore... a storyteller of epic proprtions, I believe he often does things like adding/changing lyrics in works he covers. Sorry I can't be certain but I think he's a prime suspect :)
Had the pleasure of interviewing Ron many years ago. Such a brilliant fellow and Sony’s Dream may just be the greatest Canadian song ever written. Sorely missed.
Sorry I misspelled Sonny. Long day at the computer. BTW Wonderful Grand Band the best Canadian musical ensemble ever and thank god for the humour provided by Greg Malone and Tommy Sexton. Loved every minute of it - the package was the real deal.
I love this song. It is timeless and is part of Ron's legacy.
the body has given up but the memories you have left us with will live on forever RIP RON
How can you tell the Newfoundlanders in heaven? They are the ones who want to go home.
Having listened to every variation of this song available, this one is by far the best.
So true!! The band just bops and thumps. He omitted one verse ("Sonny's dreams can't be real") curiously... One of those moments where you wish the song would just keep going forever
That's probably because it's the original band with Ryan Hines singing
Oops I meant Ron Hynes
What a national treasure Canada will always have in this beautiful man! I can never listen to this song without tearing up. Ron was an artist who could weave emotional ballads that speak of things we all experience in our lives; crafting them with lyrics and music that completely engulf the heart and soul! God bless you Ron! You make life so much richer for so many...........Thank you
@NewfoundlandMusicMan for sharing this gem with everyone!
Amen to all your wonderful comments...makes me even more proud to have been born in Grace Hospital before Confederation.
RIP Ron. So many memories for so many of us.
RIP Uncle Ron this is how I remembers you.
I arrived here after seeing the song covered by Christy Moore. I never heard of Ron Hynes until now and I’m sad I missed it. This song is simply incredible.
One of the most beautiful songs that I have ever heard
First time I heard this song was John Mcdermott. This recording is fking awesome. If you like Sonnys Dream, like this video. Wow Awesome
Another Wonderful Newfoundland Artist , RIP Ron...
Beautiful music and wonderful lyrics. You can hear the hurt in those lyrics.
Love this song, no one can sing like Ron.
This is still an awesome song. I must have listened to it a thousand times down through the years.
Me too...
Love hearing Ron do this great song, one of my faves.
Ron Hynes - the man of a thousand songs, RIP
Thank you Ron - I can remember the first time I met you at the Strand Lounge in Atlantic Place. Wasn't yesterday...but I will admit that I wasn't old enough to be there. Not sure any of us were. RIP in my man...
It’s hard to keep the salt water off the skin in the big Atlantic Ocean , someday in life I’ll make its home . God bless
I guess that Dislike was a Idiot.I met Ron Hynes many years and he is & was & always will be a Great man, who Loved and Loves his Province.He sang about it in all of his music.I Love and Respect him so much.The sad thing is, U never hear anything about him any more.I just read that Ron Passed Last Year.That Sucks.The Music World Lost A Great Man.(RIP)///
There is a tribute album coming out, heard a song from it today, was awesome
Met Ron many times, was always happy and smiling. I used to stick my foot by the bathroom door at the fat cat for him.🤣🤣🤣
My dad was a sailor but he was home.Ron Hynes was the best.
Rest peacefully and thanks for the music.
Rest in peace, my father teaching my this song will never go in vein . amazing artist , amazing man. God bless newfoundland !
A song for the generations , I'll make sure my son knows about your legacy bud.
anyone who doesn't like this is miserable! Ron is the best!!!!!
No need of these bullshit comments,he was a legend,let the man RIP!!
@ Donna Grant........ Agree1000%!! Anyone who cannot see what a gift this man was to Canada and the world is not only miserable, but an unhappy soul void of emotion. I also pray that anyone whose heart is not moved by this song will open their heart and find peace and joy in their life. I have heard this song countless times and I am always overcome with a myriad of emotions which make the mind reflect and tears flow. Ron wrote this in a moment of true inspiration from God. Liam Clancy, Emmylou Harris, Mary Black and Dolores Keane truly honor this gifted songwriter/singer with their versions as well. Ron, may you rest in peace for eternity with the Lord and His angels. Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful song @NewfoundlandMusicMan!
this was the place in cyberspace to come today. thanks, ron. rip
thumbs down to the people who don't like this song.legend
19-November-2015: The Day the Music Died.
I will miss you Ron, thank you for all the great music and memories.
Just glad I got to see him once.
Happened to walk into the Rose & Thistle on Water Street sometime around 2003, Ron Hynes was just finishing up a set. This was the last song he performed, though actually he sang very little of it - he started it off and let those of us in the pub sing the rest 😄 The only time I saw him live.
the best of East coast music, rip
GOD SPEED RON I'm SURE THERE ARE MANY SINGING SONNY's DREAM IN HEAVENTONIGHT
R I P Ron, I know you will make it great place,m your music was loved by many.
I love this man and his music. Very down to earth person.
One of the best newfie singers i have every heard rip ron
Great memory -- PEI boy in Strand lounge 1980/81 --
This song is basically “church” in Newfoundland. Very nice recording of Ron and WGB.
A Canadian Gem
Got to see these guys many years ago (1981) at the Palace in Halifax NS, thanks for the memories
Avalon mall St John' s 1980 Awesome
RIP Ron....you will be truly missed...:(
Rest in peace Ron. Thanks for the music.
I knew him really well he was a awesome guy he worked at the radio station in my home town he was a beautiful singer
R.i P. Sweet angel glad I got to know u back through the years U we’re a awesome friend fly hi with. Angels gone way to earlier
Brings back memories
RIP Ron. One of the greatest singer songwriters.You will be missed.
Rest in peace and music Ron. We'll never forget you.
I can remember being about 4 or 5 years old, and this song made me feel so sad. It was the first song to ever bring about emotion in me, and I will always remember it. Another song my parents would play that brought another strong reaction was Sylvias Mother - Dr Hook. :)
Miss you always, such a kind man
Loved your music.you will truly be missed
The world will miss this man
I cant tell u how this is a bestsest. Lol song love u mum. xo
Rocky Wiseman is on drums and it was shot at the Fort motel on the TCH as part of the WGB series in 1980
The fort motel coming into St johns?
Wunnerful grand indeed - watched this just after Rocky has also gone on to dream. Thanks for the memories b'ys!
listening for a school assignment, but this song is ngl really good might listen again lol
So there I was ...
October/21/2019 ...
What a great tune lad ...
Love it ...
Tanks Ron ...
Have a safe home everybody ...
A lovely tune!! and Jean Redpath sang it beautifully too.
Gets you in the feels.
Godspeed, Ron. And rest in peace.
the midnight riders. miss you ron hope you,re singin in heaven
RIP never forgotten
First ting I learned on guitar. God love u Ron. Struggles over skipper. RIP.
Actually, there should be 900000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 likes.
Sonny's dream. 'A sailor who never comes home' ? Great song great voice. Curious lyrics
It's a song about a young man who dreams of leaving home and following his dreams but instead decides to be the good son and stay home to take care of his mother who has no one after his father left and never came home.
Great.
I love your song
Rest in Peace Ron
I miss this old bugger.
Great song
sending love and prayers
Thanks Ron. RIP
Rip Ron!
May you rest in peace
- R.I.P. Ron Hynes :-(
RIP Ron!
This is so sick
I had the fun pleasure, in my teens, to party one evening with members of this band ... :-) I was a young driver at the time & when I leaving, I backed my car into another car ... lol, the young guy who owned it, fortunately, was sweet & his family owned a dealership or something so it was done at a discount ... hmm, wonder now if in fact it was! (It cost me a few $$$) Ha.
RIP Dennis Jessome
Sad you left Ron
One dislike - who was that fool?
Sonny's mom. Still bitter about her husband that never comes home.
Probably a Quebecer
Who was that fool? More like who was the idiot.
Does anyone know where the additional verse came from? The one that goes -- Many years have gone by. Sonny's old and alone. His daddy the sailor never came home. Sonny wonders sometimes what his life may have been. From the grave his mom ma's words haunt all his dreams. Sonny don't go away... (or something like that as I recall.) RIP Ron.
I think Christy Moore, an Irish folk singer adds it to his repertoire
I think Christy Moore, an Irish folk singer adds it to his repertoire.
+Susan Taylor Thank you, yes, Christy Moore does sing that chorus as do others, but my question was: Where did the additional chorus come from? In other words if Ron Hynes did not write it... Who did?
I suspect it was Christy Moore... a storyteller of epic proprtions, I believe he often does things like adding/changing lyrics in works he covers. Sorry I can't be certain but I think he's a prime suspect :)
Thank you :)
I've got stereo, two tabs at once! :)
My mim will see those ice bergs or im not her mikey ..so let it b wtittn do let it b done. I fat from it but ill be that. Family is all u got...
What year?
Any idea when this video was shot?
Most Likely this was done late 70's early 80's Sonny was written in 1976 in 10 - 15 mins while on tour in Alberta between Edmonton and Calgary
Always assumed sonny was an irish folk song 😂😂😂😂😂
Ron is singing tell me who's on the drums
Rocky Wiseman