Ride On is an album by Irish
folk singer
Christy Moore, released in 1984. Its title track remains one of his most popular songs. A number of songs relate the actions of those involved in political struggles, or those affected by those struggles; such as "
Viva la Quinte Brigada" which is concerned with the Irish contingent amongst the
International Brigade in the
Spanish Civil War; or "El Salvador" dealing with the
civil war in that country in the 1980s. Other songs deal with
Irish history – "The City of Chicago", about emigration to America during the Irish famines of the late 1840s; "Back Home in Derry" written by
Bobby Sands about the
transportation to Australia of convicts; and "Lisdoonvarna" celebrating a music festival that took place annually in
that town until the early 1980s.
Since Ride On is widely accepted as a landmark Moore album, it has been available ever since its original release and is regarded as one of the best possible introductions to the artist. The title track was written by one of Ireland's most famous songwriters,
Jimmy MacCarthy, and many other artists have interpreted the song.[2]
More recently newer Irish band
Celtic Thunder have recorded "Ride On".[5]
Australian band
Molly Rusher has also covered this song.
Cleatormoor Band The Black Guards (formerly D'Bleedin Blaggards) from West Cumbria UK have also paid homage to Christy with their soulful & lilting rendition of "Ride On" featuring Owen Evans on accordion from Iron Sea Wolf.
Canadian/Taiwanese recording artist
Kandy Chen also covered this song in 1992.[6]
Irish Celtic Metal band
Cruachan released their version with Shane MacGowan as a single in 2001 and on their 2002 album Folk-Lore.
Dutch folk band
Rapalje has covered the song in their Rakish Paddies (2000) album, while also executing a live version of the song.[7]
British band
Coldplay joined Christy Moore for a rendition of "Ride On" to close the
2011 Oxegen Festival in Ireland on Sunday, 10 July 2011
Russian dark-folk band Neutral covered the song on their live album Luisenkirche, Königsberg in 2006.
English band
Crustation has covered the song in their album Bloom in 1997
Canadian astronaut
Chris Hadfield performed "Ride On" with NASA astronaut
Catherine Coleman accompanying him on flute at the United Space School's traditional Mexican Night in 2012. They dedicated the song to the late space pioneer
Sally Ride.[8]
Americana singer-songwriter Dave Hawkins also performs this song. He also included it in his 2015 release, Stripped Down.