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.
Bluenose
The Irish Rovers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In nineteen twenty-one on a windy day
A sailing ship was born, "Bluenose" was her name
You'll never see her kind again
Bluenose, the ocean knows her name
Sailors know how proud a ship was she
Bluenose, leading in the wind
For twenty-five long years she ruled the Northern sea
Riding like a queen on the tide
In the Caribbean one dark and stormy day
She ran into a reef and died
Bluenose, the ocean knows her name
Sailors know how proud a ship was she
Bluenose, leading in the wind
Racing ev'ry way on the sea
Now just the other day, down Nova Scotia way
In Lunenburg they christened a ship
Just like the old Bluenose, down to the very name
The Bluenose lives and sails again
Bluenose, the ocean knows her name
Sailors know how proud a ship was she
Bluenose, leading in the wind
Racing ev'ry way on the sea
The Irish Rovers's song "Bluenose" is a tribute to a famous Canadian racing and fishing schooner from Nova Scotia, which was launched in 1921. The song paints a nostalgic and haunting image of the ship, and tells the story of her rise and fall on the sea. The beginning of the song sets the scene in the town of Lunenburg down Nova Scotia way, where the ship was born on a windy day in 1921. The Bluenose was more than just a ship; she was a symbol of maritime culture, a racing legend, and a source of pride for Canadians. The song also praises the ship's ability to lead in the wind, racing every way on the sea.
The second verse of "Bluenose" speaks of the ship's dominance on the Northern sea for twenty-five years, where she rode like a queen on the tide. But even the greatest ships are subject to fate, and one dark and stormy day, the Bluenose met her tragic end in the Caribbean, where she crashed into a reef and died. The final verse of the song brings new hope, as the people of Lunenburg christened a ship just like the old Bluenose down to the very name, and the new Bluenose lives and sails again.
Line by Line Meaning
In the town of Lunenburg down Nova Scotia way
The story takes place in Lunenburg, a town in Nova Scotia, Canada.
In nineteen twenty-one on a windy day
The Bluenose was launched on a windy day in 1921.
A sailing ship was born, "Bluenose" was her name
The Bluenose was a sailing ship that was given its name at birth.
You'll never see her kind again
The Bluenose was a unique ship and there will never be another one like it.
Bluenose, the ocean knows her name
The Bluenose is well-known and respected by sailors and the ocean alike.
Sailors know how proud a ship was she
Sailors admired the Bluenose for being a proud and impressive ship.
Bluenose, leading in the wind
The Bluenose was known for its speed and agility on the sea.
Racing ev'ry way on the sea
The Bluenose was a competitive racing ship that excelled in all directions on the sea.
For twenty-five long years she ruled the Northern sea
The Bluenose was a powerful force on the Northern sea for a quarter of a century.
Riding like a queen on the tide
The Bluenose sailed majestically on the tide, like a queen.
In the Caribbean one dark and stormy day
The Bluenose encountered trouble in the Caribbean during a dark and stormy day.
She ran into a reef and died
The Bluenose met its unfortunate end when it collided with a reef and sank.
Now just the other day, down Nova Scotia way
Recently, a new ship was christened with the same name as the Bluenose in Nova Scotia.
In Lunenburg they christened a ship
The new ship was christened in the same town where the Bluenose was launched.
Just like the old Bluenose, down to the very name
The new ship was given the same name as the Bluenose, honoring its legacy.
The Bluenose lives and sails again
The legacy of the Bluenose lives on through the new ship that bears its name.
Contributed by Natalie G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ian Burt
You have missed out a verse.
@marygarza1596
Why is my brain always humming this song ?? 45 years ago, I must have been 10, funny how memories are kept in our amazing body!
Good times !🥰
@yonatanmaisel2330
We sang this song in class in the U.S. when I was about 10 years old - the reason I did the search. 30+ years later I was able to sing along word for word. What memories!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@_UPRC
Ditto, I just came here looking for the song because I remember singing it way back in elementary school. Catchy tune!
@debbiehopkins2245
Love this song, Loud, when no one is around ! I had a class of 2nd and 3rd graders and they liked it too.
@radhikasrivastava116
It was so hard to find this song. I found different versions.
I sang this song when I was in class 5
@Caperhere
It’s on Tall Ships and Salty Dogs, by the Irish Rovers. Still have the album.
@johnbailey4596
I was totally convinced that I remembered hearing Gordon Lightfoot singing this version of Bluenose on BBC Radio 2 back in the 1980s but can't find it and everyone tells me he didn't and its not in his discography.So much for memory.Unless anyone out there knows differently ?.
@freakfreak12345
For four years I've been looking for a recorded version of this song. Thank you so much for uploading this. I sang this song with my chior years ago and ever since I've been searching. Now I've found it, and it made me cry :) Thank you!!
@humblehombre9904
It sounds to me, that all of the commenters might love my favourite album of all time, this being the Irish Rovers, “Tall Ships and Salty Dogs”. They do this song too, plus a great album full of heart warming maritime songs that will stir your inner Salty Dog, and have ye wanting a ration of rum and to be fighting the cold stormy seas on the deep blue Atlantic. Yar Willie, so you would.