When you hear the name Gary Moore, if you’re even remotely involved in the world of rock, especially Celtic rock and Celtic punk, your ears might just perk up a little. This Irish guitarist wasn’t merely strumming chords, he was shaping musical landscapes across genres. Known primarily for his blues and hard rock flair, Moore also left an indelible mark on the Celtic rock and punk scenes through his work with Thin Lizzy. But he didn’t just stop there. He ventured into the emergent realm of heavy metal with a folk style, bridging traditional Irish and Celtic instrumentation with the adrenalized world of metal.
Fast forward to December 1986—a pivotal moment for Moore and fans alike. He releases “Over The Hills And Far Away” as the debut single from his sixth solo album, “Wild Frontier.” While it enjoyed a respectable No. 20 spot on the UK Singles Chart, the song found its crowning glory in the Nordic countries, claiming the top spot in both Finland and Norway.
A remarkable feature of this track is its collaboration with The Chieftains, a monumental Irish band. The Chieftains were also part of the song’s visual journey, appearing in its music video. And the camaraderie didn’t just stop there. In 1988, Moore teamed up with The Chieftains once again to perform this iconic track during the TV show celebrating the band’s 25th anniversary.
Gary Moore wasn’t one for rigidity; his live performances of “Over The Hills And Far Away” often featured varying solos, highlighting his improvisational flair. It’s as if each performance was a fresh take on a well-loved narrative, allowing him to keep the essence while altering its sonic outfit.
What makes the song stand out, aside from its musical composition, is its story. “Over The Hills And Far Away” is a gripping tale of a man, wrongfully imprisoned for armed robbery. The twist is he could easily alibi himself but chooses not to because it would reveal an affair with his best friend’s wife. Consequently, he’s sentenced to ten years “over the hills and far away,” sustaining his hopes with love letters from the woman he can’t forget. This narrative finds an uncanny resemblance to the 1959 country ballad “Long Black Veil,” drawing parallel lines between two men bound by love and secrecy.
What renders “Over The Hills And Far Away” unforgettable is the seamless fusion between Moore’s signature rock style and Celtic folk elements. The unique mix of guitars, drums, and traditional Irish instruments crafts a tune that’s both energizing and emotionally stirring. In a musical world often saturated with the expected, Gary Moore’s “Over The Hills And Far Away” stands as an anthem that breaks norms while honoring tradition.
The Covers
Thyrfing – 2000
We find ourselves sailing into Scandinavian waters with Thyrfing, a Viking metal juggernaut hailing from Sweden. Their version of “Over The Hills And Far Away” stands as a stark contrast to its predecessors, submerging the original’s Celtic undertones in a sea of ferocious metal elements. This high-octane interpretation appears as a bonus track on their album “Urkraft (Extended),” released through Despotz Records.
Thyrfing shatters this template and reconstructs the track in a format that pays homage to the gods of metal. It’s the kind of music you’d imagine playing as Viking longships cut through misty seas—an intense auditory voyage punctuated by thunderous drums and vocals.
The inclusion of this cover as a bonus track on “Urkraft (Extended)” hints at its unique contribution to the album. Bonus tracks often allow artists to step outside their usual modus operandi or pay tribute to influences, and Thyrfing uses this opportunity to explore their harder, more unrelenting side. For those who prefer their music with a helping of heavy, this is a rendition you’ll not only appreciate but revel in.
Nightwish – 2001
Released in 2001 as the title track of their EP “Over The Hills And Far Away,” Nightwish took what was an undeniably influential song and gave it an orchestral heart. The Finnish band, already well-known for their innovative symphonic metal compositions, saw an opportunity with Moore’s classic to integrate its storytelling prowess into their own rich, textured mix of sound. The EP was both a tribute and a bold statement, as it was released following their successful third studio album, “Wishmaster,” and provided fans with a refreshing yet familiar musical journey.
Their version transformed Moore’s robust narrative into an epic tale that wouldn’t be out of place in a Tolkien novel. The Finnish soprano Tarja Turunen, Nightwish’s lead vocalist at the time, brought an entirely new emotional texture to the song. Her classically-trained voice filled the spaces between the instruments, imbuing the already intense storyline with an ethereal, almost otherworldly feel. Tarja’s interpretation has become so closely associated with the song that she continues to perform it in her solo concerts, each rendition offering something new yet nostalgically familiar.
While the structure and essence of the original song’s narrative remain intact, Nightwish’s rendition feels like a fresh tale sprung from the same ancient soil. The tale of love, betrayal, and yearning is no longer a tale whispered in a smoky bar but a saga declared from castle ramparts. They retained the story while imbuing it with a mythical quality, honoring Gary Moore’s legacy while adding a robust chapter to their own musical journey. And as a matter of fan, many fans still think that this is the original version.
The Finnish soprano Tarja Turunen, Nightwish’s lead vocalist at the time, brought an entirely new emotional texture to the song. Her classically-trained voice filled the spaces between the instruments, imbuing the already intense storyline with an ethereal, almost otherworldly feel. Tarja’s interpretation has become so closely associated with the song that she continues to perform it in her solo concerts, each rendition offering something new yet nostalgically familiar.
Steve ‘n’ Seagulls – 2015
At first glance, a Finnish band dabbling in the bluegrass genre might seem like an unlikely scenario. However, it’s precisely this unlikely fusion that sets Steve ‘n’ Seagulls apart. The band’s interpretation moves the song’s setting from the cliffs and valleys of Ireland to the American Appalachian highlands. It’s as if the story travels across the Atlantic and sets up camp in a different folklore-rich region, while maintaining the essence of the original’s narrative.
You can’t talk about this version without diving into the instrumentation, and the banjo and mandolin takes center stage here. Not usually an instrument associated with hard rock, the banjo’s plucky strings and twangy resonance reframe the song’s original guitar-driven thrust. The banjo acts as the new narrator, and its storytelling style is a blend of Scotch-Irish and Appalachian sensibilities.
Steve ‘n’ Seagulls demonstrate that you don’t need electric riffs or dramatic vocals to convey a complex tale. Their acoustic-led, down-to-earth delivery feels like a fireside recounting of an old legend. Despite their different musical approach, the band manages to keep the narrative’s gravity intact, letting the subtlety of bluegrass carry the weight of the story’s emotional content.
Their Version offer an educational blueprint for how genre can function as more than a musical categorization—it can be a fresh palette from which to repaint an iconic song’s scenery. So, as we continue our exploration of “Over The Hills And Far Away,” this bluegrass-infused take not only celebrates the original but also enriches its multifaceted legacy.
Patty Gurdy – 2018
We find ourselves enveloped by the haunting melodies of Patty Gurdy’s 2018 version. Where Nightwish pushed the boundaries of symphonic metal, Patty Gurdy’s adaptation leans into the haunting echoes of folk music, with the unique addition of the Hurdy Gurdy, a medieval instrument that carries a history as rich as the song’s Story itself.
Patty Gurdy’s journey with this classic song began not just as a personal artistic endeavor but as a response to the encouragement of her Patreon supporters. It’s not just a track on her roster, it’s an interactive result of fan enthusiasm. From its inception, this cover had a grassroots energy, transforming it into one of her most celebrated performances to date.
Patty Gurdy’s version is a study in contrast. It kicks off as a subdued, nearly ethereal experience and crescendos into a richer, more dynamic spectacle. The Hurdy Gurdy, combined with Patty’s voice, transforms the song into something that feels both ancient and refreshingly new. It is a fresh take that pays homage to the original, yet makes no compromises in showcasing her distinct artistic identity.
Patty Gurdy’s vocals are, without a doubt, another dimension in this intricate retelling. Her voice serves as a soothing balm to the instrumental intensity, framing the tale of betrayal and longing with a quiet yet potent vulnerability. And as she leads us towards the song’s conclusion, she takes us by surprise by intensifying the sound, shedding the stripped-down feel with the rest of the band joining in for a more robust, energized final verse.
Tommy Johansson – 2022
We’ve traversed multiple genres and crossed international boundaries, but our “Under The Covers” exploration of “Over The Hills And Far Away” would be incomplete without a dive into Tommy Johansson’s rendition. Known for fronting Majestica and strumming for Sabaton, Johansson wears his love for Gary Moore on his guitar strap. Literally, in this case, as his version was recorded using a Charvel So-Cal Red & White Gary Moore Signature Model.
Right off the bat, the choice of guitar signals a deep reverence for the original while heralding an innovative approach. It’s like Johansson wants us to know he respects the roots but plans to grow a completely different tree. In doing so, he crafts a unique sound that stands as both a tribute to Moore and an original work in its own right.
What makes Johansson’s interpretation particularly fascinating is the cocktail of styles he brings to the table. While his version remains guitar-centric, it diverges from mere emulation by incorporating power metal elements. These elements coalesce perfectly with the song’s existing folk-metal structure, thereby weaving in a distinct flavor while preserving the song’s innate character.
Johansson’s delivery elevates the tune, adding a layer of gravitas without overshadowing the instrumental mastery. His voice soars, dips, and navigates the track with the finesse of a veteran pilot, making the song feel, for lack of a better word, larger-than-life. The best surprises in Johansson’s version is the extended outro. Extending the outro isn’t just a stylistic choice; it’s a nod to one of Gary Moore’s notable practices. This creative decision serves as both an acknowledgment of Moore’s influence and an exhibition of Johansson’s own guitar wizardry. It rounds out the track, giving it that final push into ‘cover classic’ territory.
As we’ve traversed through these diverse versions, the adaptability and lasting appeal of “Over The Hills And Far Away” become even more evident. Each artist brings something unique to the table, yet the essence of Gary Moore’s original masterpiece endures, proving that good music doesn’t just cross boundaries—it obliterates them. So, that’s a wrap for this jam-packed installment of “Under The Covers.” Until we next dive into the endless ocean of reinterpretations and musical homage, keep your ears open and your volume up.