"Sonny's Dream" (also known as "Sonny") is a folk song written by Newfoundlander Ron Hynes[1] in 1976. It tells the story of a man who wishes to fulfill his dreams, but is bound to his rural homeland by his family, particularly his lonely mother. Hynes wrote the song while on a roadtrip with his band in western Canada and based it on his uncle, Thomas "Sonny" O'Neill, who had taught him how to play guitar and had pushed him to play music professionally.[2] It was first recorded by The Wonderful Grand Band on their eponymous album, but appeared re-recorded on their second album Living in a Fog in 1981.[3] Subsequent to the songwriter Ron Hynes' death, a crowd was organized for a singalong in Bannerman Park, St. John's in remembrance and celebration of his life.[4][5]
The song is popular not only in Atlantic Canada, but in some parts of the United States and has been covered by many other artists, including Hamish Imlach, Great Big Sea, Christy Moore, Emmylou Harris, Stan Rogers, Valdy, Allison Crowe, Hayley Westenra, Jean Redpath, and Corey Hart.