Ballad Of John Williams

I wrote this song in 1980 while working on an RTE programme called 'My Ireland', a series of shows with and Irish theme running through them and presented by a different singer each week.
As I was well known for my singing of songs dealing with the curse of emigration, my programme was called 'The Emigrant Island'. It dealt with the many different reasons why Irish people had to leave the land of their birth down through the years to try and make a better life for themselves on some foreign shore.
The story is set in 1912 and is about a young man who has grown tired and frustrated with the poverty and the hard times of Ireland at that time. Like millions of people before him, he decides to leave it all behind.
With hopes and dreams of a new life in America, and with his young bride on his arm, he boards the doomed Titanic in Queenstown and sails away to meet his fate in the freezing waters of the North Atlantic.
Of course, the character of John Williams is fictional and you wont find his name on the ship's manifest, either as a victim or survivor. I intended him to be symbolic of the mostly forgotten passengers travelling in steerage who suffered the greatest number of casualties.

[@billymcmenamin5646]

Simply wonderful, I never get tired of him. One of Ireland’s great balladeers.👍

[@user-mm7fe8wq7d]

What a singer

[@horrorskopf]

As I wrote before ... one of the most underrated songwriters of all time!

[@anthonymctigue9038]

YES 100 PER CENT

[@tearitloosetearitloose4670]

How can a man who has recorded 25/26 studio albums, numerous ep's, singles and greatest hits albums, be underrated? Johnny McEvoy is not underrated. Not by a long way. Take a look at the amount of artists who have recorded his songs. Take a look at his album sales worldwide.. Johnny McEvoy is a fine fine singer/songwriter. Everyone knows that.

[@gmfan6397]

Your a brilliant song writer johnny .Beautiful song

[@denisoconnor6343]

The most underrated composer and musician, what a genius 👍👍

[@jamesruane6481]

One of Ireland fnest ballad singers

[@marianwilliams3699]

I could listen to you forever John Williams ❤ love your songs Johnny ❤ xx

[@vivdoyle8611]

Great song and an even better singer

[@johnnymcevoymusic]

Thank you Viv

[@marianwilliams3699]

Love you Johnny ❤ one of tbe best 💚

[@Denisg767]

Great singer songwriter, fair play to you Johnny ,

[@peterrafferty1441]

My favourite song of all time

[@anthonymctigue9038]

TOP CLASS BORN TALENT THE BEST .GREAT SONG .FAIR PLAY .

[@patosullivan8391]

Love this song used love you when I lived in Dublin in late 60s but now live in London many years now you’re best song is those brown eyes

[@DJCP41]

Beautiful song, love this so much

[@h2oboater]

Absolutely Fantastic. ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@peterrafferty1441]

My fav song of all time

[@dennisbean7336]

Absolutely fantastic

[@dennisbean7336]

Used to watch him tv absolutely fantastic

[@JohnBreenFolk]

Such a beautiful tribute

[@Rudness17]

Johnny, brilliant song writer with great meaning in every song, sung from the heart, true Legend! Michael John Ruddy. Stay safe.

[@marybyrnes8688]

Never tire of listening to this song, brilliantly sung as always thanks Johnny

[@oliveroneill1388]

Fantastic

[@thomaskelly8101]

A lovely sad song. Johnny is the most underrated Irish singer/songwriter of them all Met him once in the 70’s in the Dreamland in Athy Nice unassuming guy

[@johnnymcevoymusic]

thank you Thomas

[@thomaskelly8101]

@@johnnymcevoymusic Thanks Johnny Just keep going strong

[@marianwilliams3699]

Love you forever ❤❤could listen to you allnight ! O'Neills plunkett street killarney is the best Fishing Shop in Kerry ⭐💚

[@sandidavis820]

I am in the hospital and thank goodness I have a lot of great Irish music down loaded on my phone. I have been listening to it since Friday, it is now Monday and I will be going to rehab soon

[@johnnymcevoymusic]

Hope you feel better soon Sandi

[@sandidavis820]

@@johnnymcevoymusic thank you so much

[@seamuslydon1447]

Brilliant singer Johnny

[@ronanoriain2985]

Great Irish balladier John rember seeing you in the castle inn in dublin 60s and 70s,

[@marianwilliams3699]

Love you johnny ❤️ thank you for getting me Tru these hard times! I've the best boss dennis you could ever wish for 👍 x

[@sherp2u1]

I seen that van many times Johnny. God be good to you, you've given us many joyful hours....my brother played with you once or twice..."

[@balladmad97]

Great song Johnny. I saw you play in the Source in Thurles a couple years ago. A great night. Hope to see you again in the future. Best wishes.

[@johnnymcevoymusic]

thank you I hope so too.

[@donalbonar742]

Sang beautiful, legendary

[@johnnymcevoymusic]

Thanks Donal

[@tommcknight5709]

Remember years ago sitting on the stairs in the Skerry Inn with Jonny talking and having a great time, yes one of the best singers ever came out of Ireland,TOM😊

[@donalbonar742]

Class

[@annehenry1686]

Saw you a few years ago in St. John's, Newfoundland. Loved every minute! I hope I live long enough to see you again when the world allows such things again.

[@rinacarty6874]

Could not agree more. Gerry Farry.

[@thomasotoole1653]

Love Newfoundland and people

[@user-zr6nv5nz1r]

Beautiful living the experience through, brilliant song writing

[@seancrowe8488]

Johnny singing as good as ever

[@patrickdurnion4548]

I love this song johnny,beautiful singing, great song.

[@oliveroneill1388]

The ballader sings his lament ..

[@beritsamuelsson3490]

SÅÅ FINT

[@beritsamuelsson3490]

TACK MIN VÄN KRAM

[@valeriebutler4651]

I did it my way

[@dannygallagher4074]

He says on the Titanic list of survivors and those who died, you won't find John Williams, then says on a dark night you might hear his voice across the ocean. Was John Williams a real person? Or just a mythical character to go with the Titanic?

[@adriankelly1016]

Mythical

[@johnnymcevoymusic]

Hi Danny Yes the character of John Williams is fictional and you won’t find his name on the ships manifest, either as a victim or survivor. I intended him to be symbolic of the mostly forgotten passengers travelling in steerage who suffered the greatest number of casualties. Stay Safe, Slán , Johnny

[@dannygallagher4074]

@@johnnymcevoymusic thanks for the reply Johnny, always found this an interesting song and was interested to know the story. Take care Slán abhaile chara 👍

[@nigellyn1589]

​@johnnymcevoymusic a brilliant song . one of many from a sensational singer songwriter. my eternal gratitude

[@virginiansdrama5651]

86 6

[@coyniegirl]

I ADORE Johnny such an amazing talented man. I LOVE you Jonny 😍😍😍😍❤❤💚💚☘☘☘☘☘☘

[@Ed1training2023]

Lovely song Johnny, but Liam Clancy was the very best for story telling before a song 🙏

[@seamusbyrne5350]

what a ridiculous and unneccessary comment. yeah lovely song Johnny but Beyonce has nicer legs

[@michaelahern6821]

Google ffs how many fuckin adds do you want...

[@oliveroneill1388]

A true balladeer

[@oliveroneill1388]

Sting gets a ivan novelo reward for every breath , goes to show , you have to be in the circus to perform. This song alone is miles ahead

[@seamusbyrne5350]

another ridiculous comment.

[@neilgilmartin6511]

A beautiful song one I loved listening to my dad singing ❤