In 1968, the predecessor of the Juno’s named The Irish Rovers Canada’s, “Folk Group of the Year”, and the following year, they received a Grammy nomination for “Folk Performance of the Year”.
As hosts of three national television series in Canada and Ireland, through the 1970's and 80s, The Irish Rovers increased the popularity of Irish music by way of the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation).
Canada's Prime Minister, Pierre Elliott Trudeau, personally asked the band if they could “please become Canadian” so that they could officially represent Canada throughout the world. Since then, they have represented Canada at no less than five world Expos, and in recognition for a quarter century of contributions to the International music world, The Irish Rovers won the Performing Rights Organization's (PROCAN) 'Harold Moon Award'.
Although all members of the band hail from Ireland, a number of their biggest hits were often "non-Irish". Their own rousing, traditional Irish compositions, however, do comprise the bulk of their music.
By the 90’s, their songwriting was even more prolific than their early years, and production of albums wasn’t about to slow down. Since they desired the freedom that as a younger band, they could not afford, in ’93 The Irish Rovers established their own record company, Rover Records. Their songs tell the story of the Irish, whether it’s a lost love, a sailor on leave, or the simple good taste of a Guinness. Rover Records has put out their last eleven albums, including Celtic Collection, Come Fill Up Your Glasses, Down by the Lagan Side, Another Round, Still Rovin', a Christmas album, and their greatest hits, 40 Years A-Rovin'.
Founding member George Millar is from Ballymena, original member Wilcil McDowell is from Larne, John Reynolds from Belfast, Sean O'Driscoll from Cork, Ian Millar from Ballymena, and percussionist Fred Graham is also from Belfast.
Former members include founding member Jimmy Ferguson who passed away in 1997 and Joe Millar.
A Long Time Ago
The Irish Rovers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Carried away by a moonlight shadow.
Lost in a riddle that Saturday night
Far away on the other side.
He was caught in the middle of a desperate fight
And she couldn't find how to push through
The trees that whisper in the evening
Carried away by a moonlight shadow
Sing a song of sorrow and grieving
Carried away by a moonlight shadow
All she saw was a silhouette of a gun
Far away on the other side.
He was shot six times by a man on the run
And she couldn't find how to push through
I stay, I pray
See you in Heaven far away...
I stay, I pray
See you in Heaven one day.
Four A.M. in the morning
Carried away by a moonlight shadow
I watched your vision forming
Carried away by a moonlight shadow
A star was glowing in the silvery night
Far away on the other side
Will you come to talk to me this night
But she couldn't find how to push through
I stay, I pray
See you in Heaven far away...
I stay, I pray
See you in Heaven one day.
Far away on the other side.
Caught in the middle of a hundred and five
The night was heavy and the air was alive
But she couldn't find how to push through
Carried away by a moonlight shadow
Carried away by a moonlight shadow
Far away on the other side.
The lyrics of the song describe the story of a couple who were separated by death. The man died in a tragic incident in which he was involved in a fight and shot six times by a man on the run. The woman was not able to help him and was left grieving his loss. The song narrates her longing to be reunited with him in heaven someday. The moonlight shadow serves as a metaphor for the memory of the man that continues to haunt the woman.
The song is full of melancholic imagery, depicting the sorrow and grief of the woman who lost her lover. The trees whisper in the evening and sing a song of sorrow, and a star glows in the silvery night as she watches visions of him forming. The lyrics also suggest that the incident happened on a Saturday night, a time when people typically let loose and indulge in activities such as drinking and partying that may lead to violent incidents.
Overall, the song is a poignant reflection on the power of love and the pain of separation. The woman's inability to push through and save her lover represents the tragic limitations of human power and the inevitability of death.
Line by Line Meaning
He passed on worried and warning
He left with concern and caution
Carried away by a moonlight shadow.
He was taken away by the darkness of the night
Lost in a riddle that Saturday night
He was confused and perplexed on that fateful night
Far away on the other side.
He was on the opposite end, distant and unreachable
He was caught in the middle of a desperate fight
He was stuck in the midst of a struggle for survival
And she couldn't find how to push through
She was unable to find a way to overcome the obstacles in her path
The trees that whisper in the evening
The trees that murmur in the dark
Sing a song of sorrow and grieving
They lament and mourn
All she saw was a silhouette of a gun
All she could see was the outline of a weapon
He was shot six times by a man on the run
He received six bullets from a fleeing assailant
I stay, I pray
I remain and pray
See you in Heaven far away...
I hope to meet you in a distant heaven
Four A.M. in the morning
It was four o'clock in the morning
I watched your vision forming
I witnessed a dream of you taking shape
A star was glowing in the silvery night
A celestial body shone in the shimmering darkness
Will you come to talk to me this night
Will you come to converse with me this night
Caught in the middle of a hundred and five
Trapped in the midst of many an adversary
The night was heavy and the air was alive
The night was oppressive and the atmosphere was vibrant
Far away on the other side.
Still distant and out of reach
Carried away by a moonlight shadow
Whisked away by the obscure veil of the moon
See you in Heaven one day.
I am confident I will meet you in heaven someday
Contributed by Bentley D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ian Burt
on Bluenose
You have missed out a verse.