I've played this song in my head for many a year, thinking of Johnny and his life. I never thought for a minute he was still alive. What a hero..the video brought a tear to my eye. ❤
So…this is the guy.I often wondered what he looked like. Turns out he’s the gem of a guy I thought he would be. What a treat to come across this video.
Wow, what a great story 🥰 I've been a fan of the band for decades, many wonderful memories associated with their music, I bet for every song there's a similar story to this. My great-grandfathers family emigrated to Australia from Scotland in the early 20th century and sadly I have not been back to visit that part of my heritage. Every time I see images of Scotland though there's something that lights up in my heart and I will return before too much longer, maybe there's a pull on my soul or something because I just have to do this. Thank you Runrig for your amazing stories ❣
This short film is a gem, a moving story, indeed. Thank you for sharing it, for making it available to people outside of the British Isles who unfortunately cannot watch BBC ALBA. "Oh Johnny, you're home, man, it's a long road you drove us down ..." After having sung along these lines so many times, I am glad to have learnt more about the background of the song and its hero, Seonaidh Moireasdan. Mòran taing a chàirdean, "Heartland" agus BBC ALBA!
When you arrived in Canada you walked the streets Out of the work, out of money, prospects bleak The plane comes down in the morning sky And you touch the land where the fire won't die Oh Johnny, you're home, man It's a long road You drove us down It's only a moment Since the diesels turned And now the blade cuts clean through the island soil The years roll back and the world grows small You stand on the banks in the wind and the rain And all of your money now can't hide the pain Oh Johnny, you're home, man It's a long road You drove us down It's only a moment Since the diesels turned Heath flame is burning bright Burning every night, it's winter in Ontario The wheels that turned us village kids Carry through the heaths They no longer turn for you So you hold your mother and you bless the air With the tears of the emigrant, tongue of the Gael The plane takes off in a clear blue sky Life's a long lost list of last goodbyes Oh Johnny, you're home, man That's a long road You drove us down It's only a moment Since the diesels turned Johnny, you're home, man That's a long road You drove us down It's only a moment Since the diesels turned (Oh yeah)
I love this story so much, Runrig you are amazing. I'm so touched by this story that I'm going to visit Loch Maddy when I cycle the Uists this summer. It will be a pilgrimage to Calum and Rory's island
The first Runrig song I ever heard..... Oot the window o a workmates van in Dalcross, at the long gone Christian Salvesen Fish Freezing and storage /cold store factory. The song spoke to me, reminded me of my long gone father, a man o the Islands, a speaker of Gaelic, and indeed the many that had emigrated, migrated, away from Scotland, the Isles of the Hebrideas, and also those that came here frae all the airts (Irish 4/5 generations gone, that came to work on the Lowland farms. We are so many cast adrift on the world, and why we recognise the pain, and more, of those that have either come to Scotland, or, returned.....
I've played this song in my head for many a year, thinking of Johnny and his life. I never thought for a minute he was still alive. What a hero..the video brought a tear to my eye. ❤
So…this is the guy.I often wondered what he looked like. Turns out he’s the gem of a guy I thought he would be. What a treat to come across this video.
Runrig always in my heart there will never be another band to touch you.God Bless you wherever you all are.💗
The best story behind a classic song, it melts your heart.
"So you hold your mother and you bless the air, with the tears of the emigrant, tongue of the Gael". That line always moves me.
Wow, what a great story 🥰 I've been a fan of the band for decades, many wonderful memories associated with their music, I bet for every song there's a similar story to this. My great-grandfathers family emigrated to Australia from Scotland in the early 20th century and sadly I have not been back to visit that part of my heritage. Every time I see images of Scotland though there's something that lights up in my heart and I will return before too much longer, maybe there's a pull on my soul or something because I just have to do this.
Thank you Runrig for your amazing stories ❣
This short film is a gem, a moving story, indeed. Thank you for sharing it, for making it available to people outside of the British Isles who unfortunately cannot watch BBC ALBA.
"Oh Johnny, you're home, man, it's a long road you drove us down ..." After having sung along these lines so many times, I am glad to have learnt more about the background of the song and its hero, Seonaidh Moireasdan. Mòran taing a chàirdean, "Heartland" agus BBC ALBA!
They just don't make meaningful music like this 😢😢
Thank you for these wonderful treasure. Also got a personl letter from Rory, which gives me a lot of strength. They are great people.
When you arrived in Canada you walked the streets
Out of the work, out of money, prospects bleak
The plane comes down in the morning sky
And you touch the land where the fire won't die
Oh Johnny, you're home, man
It's a long road
You drove us down
It's only a moment
Since the diesels turned
And now the blade cuts clean through the island soil
The years roll back and the world grows small
You stand on the banks in the wind and the rain
And all of your money now can't hide the pain
Oh Johnny, you're home, man
It's a long road
You drove us down
It's only a moment
Since the diesels turned
Heath flame is burning bright
Burning every night, it's winter in Ontario
The wheels that turned us village kids
Carry through the heaths
They no longer turn for you
So you hold your mother and you bless the air
With the tears of the emigrant, tongue of the Gael
The plane takes off in a clear blue sky
Life's a long lost list of last goodbyes
Oh Johnny, you're home, man
That's a long road
You drove us down
It's only a moment
Since the diesels turned
Johnny, you're home, man
That's a long road
You drove us down
It's only a moment
Since the diesels turned (Oh yeah)
Wonderful homage to Johnny bringing his story to life in a unique way, thank you!
I love this story so much, Runrig you are amazing. I'm so touched by this story that I'm going to visit Loch Maddy when I cycle the Uists this summer. It will be a pilgrimage to Calum and Rory's island
Beautiful 🏴❤️🏴 ah Johnny
Thanks!
Mom dad granda granpa both sides were fluent gaelic speakers.
Its wonderful to hear it. Hes a true gael.
The first Runrig song I ever heard..... Oot the window o a workmates van in Dalcross, at the long gone Christian Salvesen Fish Freezing and storage /cold store factory. The song spoke to me, reminded me of my long gone father, a man o the Islands, a speaker of Gaelic, and indeed the many that had emigrated, migrated, away from Scotland, the Isles of the Hebrideas, and also those that came here frae all the airts (Irish 4/5 generations gone, that came to work on the Lowland farms.
We are so many cast adrift on the world, and why we recognise the pain, and more, of those that have either come to Scotland, or, returned.....
Tapadh leibh!!! Beautiful story and so well done - simple and poignant!! Great to hear the Gaelic!!
Ahhh. Seonaidh Beag Iain. Bho Loch na Madadh.
Just amazing 💙💙
Uabhasach math!
Nuar bha mi og.fuireach mi an Londubh siorach ros.
Sgoinnnel!
Thanks so much for this. The Cutter has always been one of my favourites but never knew the story behind it till now.
Beautiful ❤️
Maith thu Seonaidh, sceál le cur geal ar aon croì. Táim dochasach go bhfuil sé beo fòs.
Lovely