The Islands have their own symphony orchestra called Aldubáran, which has commissioned and performed a vast amount of music from Faroese composers and performed it domestically and abroad. There are also some quite famous Faroese classical composers. Sunleif Rasmussen is until now the only Faroese ever to have written a symphony, and he also wrote the first Faroese opera, entitled Í Óðamansgarði (The Madman's Garden), which was was premiered on 12 October 2006 at the Nordic House. The opera is based on a short story by the writer William Heinesen. Other composers are Kristian Blak, who is also head of the record company Tutl, Edvard N. Debess, Atli Petersen, Tróndur Bogason, Kári Bæk, Palli Hansen, Knút Olsen and Pauli í Sandágerði.
Multiple Danish Music Award winner Teitur Lassen calls the Faroes home and is arguably the Islands' most internationally well-known musical export. Young Faroese musicians who have gained much popularity recently are Eivør (Eivør Pálsdóttir), Anna Katrin Egilstrøð, Lena (Lena Andersen), Høgni Reistrup, Høgni Lisberg, HEIÐRIK (Heiðrik á Heygum), Guðrið Hansdóttir and Brandur Enni.
Well-known bands include Týr, Gestir, Hamferð, The Ghost, Boys in a Band, ORKA, 200, Grandma's Basement, SIC, and the former band Clickhaze.
The festival of contemporary and classical music, Summartónar, is held each summer. The G! Festival in Gøta in July and Summarfestivalurin in Klaksvík in August are both large, open-air music festivals for popular music with both local and international musicians participating.
The Wild Rover
Týr Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I've spent all my money on whiskey and beer
But now I'm returning with gold in great store
And never I'll play the wild rover no more
I went to a shanty I used to frequent
And told the landlady me money were spent
I asked her for credit, she answered me "Nay"
Saying, "Customers like you I can get any day"
And it's no nay never
No nay never no more
Will I play the wild rover
No never no more
I drew from my pocket ten sovereigns bright
The landlady's eyes opened wide with delight
Saying, "I have the whiskey and wine of the best
And the words that I told you were only in jest"
And it's no nay never
No nay never no more
Will I play the wild rover
No never no more
I'll go home to my parents, tell them what I've done
And hope they will pardon their prodigal son
And if they will do as so often before
No never I'll play the wild rover no more
And it's no nay never
No nay never no more
Will I play the wild rover
No never no more
And it's no nay never
No nay never no more
Will I play the wild rover
No never no more
The song 'The Wild Rover' by Týr is a traditional Irish folk song that tells the story of a man who has lived a reckless life as a wanderer, spending all his money on whiskey and beer. In the first verse, he admits to being a wild rover for many years and how he has now returned with gold in great store. The lyrics reveal that the man has turned over a new leaf and will never play the wild rover again.
In the second verse, he goes to a shanty he used to frequent and tells the landlady that he has no money left. He asks her for credit, but she refuses, stating that she can get customers like him any day. The man then proceeds to draw ten sovereigns from his pocket, and the landlady's eyes open wide with delight, providing him with whiskey and wine. She confesses that the words she had spoken earlier were only in jest.
In the third verse, he says that he will go home to his parents and tell them what he has done, hoping they will forgive him, as they have done in the past. He declares that he will never play the wild rover no more.
The song's message is clear, it tells the story of a man who has changed his ways, and while he may have spent his money recklessly, he has now returned with great wealth. This new perspective on life has caused him to realize he no longer wishes to lead the wild life he used to, and he intends to live a more responsible life.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been a wild rover for many a year
I've been a reckless wanderer for many years
And I've spent all my money on whiskey and beer
I wasted my money on liquor and beer
But now I'm returning with gold in great store
But now I have a lot of gold with me as I return
And never I'll play the wild rover no more
And I promise I'll never be a reckless wanderer again
I went to a shanty I used to frequent
I went to a place I used to visit often
And told the landlady me money were spent
And I informed the landlady that I was out of money
I asked her for credit, she answered me "Nay"
I requested credit from her but she refused
Saying, "Customers like you I can get any day"
She told me that she can easily find customers like me
And it's no nay never
And I promise you it won't happen again
No nay never no more
I swear I won't do it again
Will I play the wild rover
I won't be a reckless wanderer anymore
I drew from my pocket ten sovereigns bright
I took out ten gold coins from my pocket
The landlady's eyes opened wide with delight
The landlady was very happy to see the gold coins
Saying, "I have the whiskey and wine of the best
She told me that she has the best whiskey and wine
And the words that I told you were only in jest"
And the words she said earlier were just a joke
I'll go home to my parents, tell them what I've done
I'll go home to my parents and confess what I've been up to
And hope they will pardon their prodigal son
And I hope they'll forgive me for being a reckless wanderer
And if they will do as so often before
And if they forgive me as they have done in the past
No never I'll play the wild rover no more
Then I'll never be a reckless wanderer again
And it's no nay never
And I promise you it won't happen again
No nay never no more
I swear I won't do it again
Will I play the wild rover
I won't be a reckless wanderer anymore
And it's no nay never
And I promise you it won't happen again
No nay never no more
I swear I won't do it again
Will I play the wild rover
I won't be a reckless wanderer anymore
Contributed by Keira M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@christopherpotter6650
I listened to this song on St. Patrick’s Day! 🤘🎸☘️
@Tyrband
Very fitting. Gotta love the Irish 🤘🏻😎🖤🎵🎶
@Melina_lind4
Finely!!!! I heard this song when I was 13 years old. Now at 22 I have found it. I had to hum the song into Google. Wonderful.
@Tyrband
We're very glad you found us 🤘🏻😎🖤🎵🎶
@dreame4ter773
Over 10 years ago I'd walk my now wife home from high school & listen to eric the red on my way back home. She lived almost 2 miles from me LOL I had alot of listening time but I always loved this cover. Whole album is awesome 👌
@Sammeep02
Will I ever abandon this amazing folk metal?
No, Nay, Never!!!!!!
@Ulkinthor
This is the best Wild Rover version there is! 🤘
@wistleblower
agree 🤘
@johnheslin6914
💯
@christopherpotter6650
I totally love it when Tyr sings this Irish folk song. I know they’re Faroese Viking metal, but they sings pretty good in this song and it’s still AWESOME! 🤘🎸🇫🇴🗡🇮🇪☘️