In the '60s and 70s, Finbar and Eddie Furey played together as the duo Finbar & Eddie Furey. In 1969, the two brother began touring as backing musicians for the influential Irish folk group, The Clancy Brothers.
In 1976, the four Furray brothers and a family friend, Davey Arthur, teamed up to form The Fureys & Davey Arthur.
In 1997, after nearly thirty years as The Fureys' front man, Finbar decided the time was right to follow his own path as a singer-songwriter. He decided to step aside and pursue his solo career and present his definitive one-man show and explore new pastures as a singer, producer and writer.
In 2011 he released the album "Colours" on Dolphin Music featuring guest performances from Mary Black and Shayne Ward. The album was released in North America in 2012 on the Valley Entertainment record label.
In August 2013, Furey appeared on the Irish television show The Hit. He recorded a single pitched by a songwriter, Gerry Fleming. The single, "The Last Great Love Song", charted at number one in the Irish charts against Mundy's song "Jigsaw Man" written by Mark Walsh which charted at number five.
The Rose
Finbar Furey Lyrics
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And they all soon forget who they are
The cares of today are soon washed away
As they sit at a stool by the bar
The girl with green eyes in the Rolling Stones shirt
Doesn't look like she works on the land
The man at the end, he's a very good friend
Of a man who sells cars second hand
Down at the Red Rose Cafe in the Harbor
There by the port just outside Amsterdam
Everyone shares in the songs and the laughter
Everyone there is so happy to be there
The salesmen relax with a few pints of beer
As they try not to speak about trade
The poet won't write any verses tonight
He may sing a sweet serenade
So pull up a chair and forget about life
It's a good thing to do now and then
And if you like it here I have an idea
Tomorrow let's all meet again
Down at the Red Rose Cafe in the Harbor
There by the port just outside Amsterdam
Everyone shares in the songs and the laughter
Everyone there is so happy to be there
The salesmen relax with a few pints of beer
As they try not to speak about trade
The poet won't write any verses tonight
He may sing a sweet serenade
So pull up a chair and forget about life
It's a good thing to do now and then
And if you like it here I have an idea
Tomorrow let's all meet again
The opening lyrics of "The Rose" by Finbar Furey paint a picture of everyday people from different walks of life, coming together at the Red Rose Cafe in Amsterdam to forget their troubles for a night. These people are factory workers, farmers, and salesmen who all temporarily put aside their daily responsibilities and join in the easy-going atmosphere of the pub. The girl in the Rolling Stones shirt seems a little out of place, but that doesn't matter because everyone is here to relax and have a good time.
The song is an ode to the simple pleasures in life and the importance of taking a moment to escape reality. The poet who is usually burdened with creating verses won't be writing on this particular evening, but may still offer up a sweet serenade to contribute to the laid-back ambiance of the Red Rose Cafe. Through the lyrics, the song encourages listeners to pull up a chair, have a pint, and just forget about the demands of everyday living.
Overall, "The Rose" is a song about camaraderie and togetherness, bringing people from different walks of life into a shared space filled with music, laughter, and companionship. This is an environment in which anyone can feel happy and be themselves, making it a popular spot for locals and visitors alike.
Line by Line Meaning
They come from the farms and the factories too
People from all walks of life come together
And they all soon forget who they are
As they come together, they forget about their individual struggles and worries
The cares of today are soon washed away
The joy of being together overshadows the worries of daily life
As they sit at a stool by the bar
The gathering takes place in a casual and relaxed setting
The girl with green eyes in the Rolling Stones shirt
There's a woman present, clearly not a farmer, but her attire suggests she may be a fan of rock music
Doesn't look like she works on the land
This woman doesn't look like she's from the countryside or works in agriculture
The man at the end, he's a very good friend
There's someone who frequents this gathering regularly and has made good friends there
Of a man who sells cars second hand
This person's friend is a used car salesman
Down at the Red Rose Cafe in the Harbor
The gathering takes place at a cafe in the harbor
There by the port just outside Amsterdam
The location is just outside of the city of Amsterdam
Everyone shares in the songs and the laughter
Music and humor are at the heart of this gathering
The salesmen relax with a few pints of beer
Even business people let loose at this gathering
As they try not to speak about trade
There's an unspoken rule against discussing work at this gathering
The poet won't write any verses tonight
One of the regular attendees who is known for their poetry won't be showcasing their work today
He may sing a sweet serenade
Instead of poetry, this person might sing a song
So pull up a chair and forget about life
The gathering provides an opportunity to escape from daily struggles and unwind
It's a good thing to do now and then
Taking a break from life is important for everyone
And if you like it here I have an idea
If someone enjoys the gathering, the singer has a suggestion
Tomorrow let's all meet again
They should plan to come back to the Red Rose Cafe again tomorrow
Everyone there is so happy to be there
The atmosphere is positive and welcoming
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: FATHER ABRAHAM, DONALD BLACK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind