A popular and long-running Canadian-Irish folk group that saw their beginni… Read Full Bio ↴A popular and long-running Canadian-Irish folk group that saw their beginning in the 1960s, The Irish Rovers are particularly well-known for their hit recording of Shel Silverstein's "The Unicorn," although a great many more of their characteristically happy and oft-comical songs remain well-known to this day. In 2010, the band celebrated 45 years as recording artists, with their latest CD, "Gracehill Fair" and filming the DVD/television special "Home in Ireland", shot entirely on-location, throughout the northwest coast of Ireland. George Millar says, “It’s basically The Irish Rovers ‘Coming Home’ because this is our home, for all of us. We want to show the world what the northwest Irish coast is like. I’ve traveled the world now for over 40 years and there’s nothing like it.”

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.

Bonnie Dundee
The Irish Rovers Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Tae the Lords o′ convention 'twas Claverhouse spoke
E′er the King's Crown go down there are crowns to be
Broke
So each caviler who loves honor and me
Let him follow the bonnets o' Bonnie Dundee

Come fill up my cup, come fill up can
Come saddle my horses and call out my men

Unhook the West Port and let us gae free
For it′s up with the bonnets o′ Bonnie Dundee

Dundee he is mounted and rides up the street
The bells tae ring backwards, the drums tae are beat
But the provost douce man says, 'Just let it be.′
When the toon is well rid o' that devil Dundee

Come fill up my cup, come fill up can
Come saddle my horses and call out my men
Unhook the West Port and let us gae free
For it′s up with the bonnets o' Bonnie Dundee

There are hills beyond Pentland and lands beyond Forth
Be there lords in the south, there are chiefs in the
North
There are brave downie wassles three thousand times
Three
Cry hey for the bonnets o′ Bonnie Dundee

Come fill up my cup, come fill up can
Come saddle my horses and call out my men
Unhook the West Port and let us gae free
For it's up with the bonnets o' Bonnie Dundee

Then awa tae the hill to the lee and the rocks
Ere I own a usurper I′ll crouch with the fox
So tremble false wigs in the midst of yer glee
For you′ve no seen the last of my bonnets and me

Come fill up my cup, come fill up can
Come saddle my horses and call out my men

Unhook the West Port and let us gae free
For it's up with the bonnets o′ Bonnie Dundee

Overall Meaning

The Irish Rovers's song Bonnie Dundee is a rousing call-to-arms that recounts the adventures of the Scottish military leader John Graham of Claverhouse, also known as Bonnie Dundee, during the Glorious Revolution of 1688. The lyrics begin with Claverhouse addressing the Lords of Convention, stating that there are still crowns to be broken before the King’s crown can fall. He calls upon all those who love honor and himself to follow the bonnets of Bonnie Dundee. The next stanza sees the singer calling his men to saddle their horses and unhook the West Port, as they ride to join the army led by Dundee.

As Dundee mounts his horse and rides through the streets, the bells ring backwards and drums beat in his honor. However, the provost (mayor) of the town, a respectful man, urges others to let Dundee be. The song then speaks of the hills beyond Pentland and lands beyond the Forth and that, regardless of where one is from, there are chiefs and lords everywhere, willing to fight for the cause.

The song concludes with a warning to those who have underestimated the power of Dundee and his troops. The singer declares that he would rather live amongst the foxes than cower in the presence of a usurper. He calls upon all those who support him and the glorious cause to follow the bonnets of Bonnie Dundee.

Line by Line Meaning

Tae the Lords o′ convention 'twas Claverhouse spoke
At the convention of lords, it was Claverhouse who spoke

E′er the King's Crown go down there are crowns to be Broke
Before the King's Crown falls, other crowns must be defeated

So each cavalier who loves honor and me Let him follow the bonnets o' Bonnie Dundee
If you value honor and loyalty, then join Bonnie Dundee's army

Come fill up my cup, come fill up can Come saddle my horses and call out my men Unhook the West Port and let us gae free For it′s up with the bonnets o′ Bonnie Dundee
Prepare for battle – fill up our cups, saddle the horses, and let's ride towards victory with Bonnie Dundee

Dundee he is mounted and rides up the street The bells tae ring backwards, the drums tae are beat But the provost douce man says, 'Just let it be.′ When the toon is well rid o' that devil Dundee
Dundee is riding through the streets with music and excitement, but some officials want to stop it. However, they will change their minds once Dundee has left town

There are hills beyond Pentland and lands beyond Forth Be there lords in the south, there are chiefs in the North There are brave downie wassles three thousand times Three Cry hey for the bonnets o′ Bonnie Dundee
There are many brave warriors in Scotland who will fight for Bonnie Dundee, and they come from all different regions. Let's celebrate their bravery

Then awa tae the hill to the lee and the rocks Ere I own a usurper I′ll crouch with the fox So tremble false wigs in the midst of yer glee For you′ve no seen the last of my bonnets and me
Rather than live under a corrupt government, I'll hide in the hills like a fox. So be warned, those who support the current rulers – Bonnie Dundee and his army will return

Contributed by Annabelle B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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