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.
Reception
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.
Due to the success of the version Moore recorded on this album, "Ride On" has been covered by many other artists in subsequent years.
This song was a hit for Irish jazz singerMary Coughlan in 1987 on her album Under the Influence.
In 1991 "Ride On" was released by its writer Jimmy MacCarthy on his debut solo album The Song of the Singing Horseman.
More recently newer Irish band Celtic Thunder have recorded "Ride On".
Australian band Molly Rusher has also covered this song.
Cleatormoor Band The Black Guards 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.
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 astronautCatherine 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.
Americana singer-songwriter Dave Hawkins also performs this song. He also included it in his 2015 release, Stripped Down''.
