Man of a Thousand Songs (Ron Hynes)

he's got a crimson red tattoo,,, keeps it hidden up above his T-shirt sleeve

it's a broken heart, and the inscription reads: "No Love songs, If You Please"

but he don't really mean that, no, it's only cheeky tongue...

he stands up and sings for them every night; he's 'The Man of a Thousand songs'...

...

he knows the street like he knows his last name, he knows the city from the wrong side out

he knows that time is cruel; and any man's a fool; to hide the truth behind his mouth

he knows 'The Duke of Earl'; he knows 'My Girl'; and 'The House of the Rising Sun'

and the opening line on the marquee sign; he's 'The Man of a Thousand  Songs'...

...

he knows an old hotel, where the desk clerk will sell you;

your soul back; reasonably cheap... and this guy you can call,

when you're crawling the walls; and the whole town's asleep...

he don't promise what he don't deliver; he keeps it all in the 'easy keys'

he don't dream beyond his expectations; he's got the 'stance' down to a 'T'...

he's got a friend in a backstage alley; got just the thing to make the night move along;

and the opening line on the marquee sign...

he's ' The Man of a Thousand songs..."...

...well... this is the last song I've recorded that falls into the back half of the category: 'Songs I wrote or wish I had...'   in my humble opinion, not only Ron Hyne's greatest composition, but the definitive tune to address the daunting task of standing in front of a crowd with nothing but a guitar and a song... I 'opened' for Ron at the venerable Ship Inn in St. John's once, and had him as house guest when he last passed this way; but never got to know him well... I have had opportunity to get acquainted with his last manger, Charles Macphail; prior to his relocation 'down east'. There is a great biography 'Wonderful Grand One Man Band', but both it and my copy of the documentary 'Man of a Thousand Songs' have gone missing. Both highly recommended, though. Ron is most often associated with his popular tune 'Sonny's Dream'; but I prefer the 'darker' material; like 'Killer Cab' or 'The Ghost of Dana Bradley'.. check him out, good people... Ron Hynes was 'the real deal'; and now he's gone... love to all, d.

2 comments