Ron Hynes was recently awarded the 2006 Lifetime Achievement Award from the St. John’s Folk Arts Council, and is currently touring the folk festival circuit in Canada and the United States.
Ron Hynes passed away on November 19th, 2015 in a hospital in St. John's
Man Of A Thousand Songs
Ron Hynes Lyrics
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He got a crimson red tattoo
Keeps it hidden just 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
He stands up and sings one 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
Who hides 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 his marquee sign reads
The man of a thousand songs
He knows an old hotel where the desk clerk will sell you soul back reasonably cheap
Or this guy you can call when you're crawling the wall 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
But he's got the stance down to a T
He's got a friend in the backstage alley
Got just the thing to make the night move along
He's taken all requests as you might have guessed
He's the man of a thousand songs
Repeat
In Ron Hynes's song "Man of a Thousand Songs," the singer describes a musician who has a crimson red tattoo just above his T-shirt sleeve. The tattoo is a broken heart with an inscription that reads, "No love songs if you please." This seems ironic given that the man sings love songs every night, and his moniker is "the man of a thousand songs." The singer suggests that the musician doesn't really mean it when he says he won't sing love songs, and it's just a tongue-in-cheek comment.
The musician knows the city well, including its darker and grittier side. He is aware that life is tough and that people can be foolish for not being honest with themselves. Still, his music provides a means of escape and enjoyment for those who hear it. He knows a lot of standards and classics, including but not limited to "Duke of Earl," "My Girl," and "House of the Rising Sun." He takes requests, and he always has the right thing to keep the night moving along.
"Man of a Thousand Songs" is a tribute to the life of a working musician, someone who knows the ins and outs of the city and has seen the best and worst of people. The song describes the power of music to bring joy, comfort, and release, even in the darkest times. The musician in the song is proud of his ability to entertain people and take their minds off their troubles. He's not out to change the world, but his music makes a difference in the small part of it that he inhabits.
Line by Line Meaning
He got a crimson red tattoo
He has a red tattoo on his skin
Keeps it hidden just above his T Shirt sleeve
He conceals it below his sleeve
It's a broken heart and the inscription reads
The tattoo has a broken heart with a message
No love songs if you please
The message tells not to play love songs
But he don't really mean that
He doesn't want to strictly follow that rule
Yes it's only cheeky tongue
He is just joking with that message
He stands up and sings one every night
He sings love songs regularly
He's the man of a thousand songs
He is known for singing many songs
He knows the street like he knows his last name
He is familiar with the street as much as his own name
He knows the city from the wrong side out
He is knowledgeable about the city's darker aspects
He knows that time is cruel and any man's a fool
He understands that time can be harsh on anyone
Who hides the truth behind his mouth
Those who keep the truth from speaking are fools
He knows the duke of earl
He is aware of the Duke of Earl
He knows my girl
He is familiar with my girl
And the house of the rising sun
He has knowledge about the house of the rising sun
And the opening line on his marquee sign reads
The sign at the entrance mentions him being a man of many songs
The man of a thousand songs
He is called as the man of thousand songs
He knows an old hotel where the desk clerk will sell you soul back reasonably cheap
He knows a hotel where you can buy a soul back cheaply
Or this guy you can call when you're crawling the wall and the whole town's asleep
He knows a person whom you can contact during the late hours when you're desperate
He don't promise what he don't deliver
He doesn't make false promises
He keeps it all in the easy keys
He keeps things simple
He don't dream beyond his expectations
He doesn't expect too much
But he's got the stance down to a T
However, he has his posture and style perfect
He's got a friend in the backstage alley
He has a buddy in the backstage alley
Got just the thing to make the night move along
He has something to entertain and pass the time
He's taken all requests as you might have guessed
He accepts song requests too
He's the man of a thousand songs
He is called as the man of thousand songs
Contributed by Camilla G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@jimdonahue5187
Just discovered Ron's songs, today,, Love him! Wish I would have heard him in concert!
@jeffchambers7026
One of the best albums I've ever bought
@landrykkb
Ron Hynes truly was The Man Of A THousand Songs.Rest in peace,Ron,and you'll forever be missed.
@colinbradley1366
+John W Landry - well put John. You won't remember me, but I used to play guitar in Rich Baker's band. I was lucky enough to meet and play some guitar for Ron just a few weeks ago when he was our guest at a regular show I play in Toronto. Not in the least surprised to see that you were a fan - who wouldn't be with songs like his!! Had to listen to this song this evening, and noticed your post. Hope you are well.
@landrykkb
Colin Bradley Thank you for your kind words,Colin.I hope you're well,too.Ron Hynes and his memory forever lives on.
@Romard001
+Colin Bradley Sadly John Wayne has passed on too not long after he posted this
@lorianndawe8805
Loved watching you play this Ron!
@mikeearle1195
Just a grt song ..something is nice. Hello 2 poppy as well
@LeabKnott
Ron Hynes man of a thousand songs, RIP
@mikecampbell4611
r g/7