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.
Boys of Belfast
The Irish Rovers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Rantin', roarin', ramblin' 'round
We're Irishmen of high renown
That's the boys of Belfast
We're the boys of Belfast town
Rantin', roarin', ramblin' 'round
We're Irishmen of high renown
You will find us anywhere
In the church or on the tare
Brave and bold there's none so rare
That's the boys of Belfast
We're the boys of Belfast town
Rantin', roarin', ramblin' 'round
We're Irishmen of high renown
That's the boys of Belfast
We can fight with sword or pen
We'll never break, we'll never bend
And if we fall we'll rise again
For we're the boys of Belfast
We're the boys of Belfast town
Rantin', roarin', ramblin' 'round
We're Irishmen of high renown
That's the boys of Belfast
When we're back on Paddy's shore
The lassies they'll be sad no more
Tonight we'll make the rafters roar
In the pubs of Belfast
We're the boys of Belfast town
Rantin', roarin', ramblin' 'round
We're Irishmen of high renown
That's the boys of Belfast
We're the boys of Belfast town
Rantin', roarin', ramblin' 'round
We're Irishmen of high renown
That's the boys of Belfast
The Irish Rovers' "Boys of Belfast" is a rousing, patriotic song that celebrates the spirit, camaraderie, and indomitable nature of the people of Belfast. In the song, the boys of Belfast proudly proclaim their Irish heritage and their reputation as fearless fighters, whether with swords or pens. No matter where they are in the city, whether in church or on the streets, they are always ready to raise a ruckus and make their voices heard. They are brash, bold, and unforgettable, and they vow to never break or bend, no matter what challenges come their way.
As the song comes to a close, the boys look forward to returning home to their beloved Paddy's shore, where they will once again revel in the company of their fellow Irishmen and -women. They promise to make the pubs of Belfast ring with laughter and song, lifting the spirits of all who hear them. The song is an anthem for the resilient, proud, and unapologetically rowdy people of Belfast, who have faced countless hardships throughout their history but have always managed to come out on top.
Line by Line Meaning
We're the boys of Belfast town
We are a group of men from the city of Belfast
Rantin', roarin', ramblin' 'round
We like to have a good time, we are loud and boisterous
We're Irishmen of high renown
We are proud Irish men who are well known and respected
That's the boys of Belfast
That's who we are, just a group of proud and rowdy men from Belfast
You will find us anywhere
We can be found anywhere in Belfast
In the church or on the tare
We don't discriminate, you may find us in church or out drinking
Brave and bold there's none so rare
We are brave and confident, no one is quite like us
We can fight with sword or pen
We are capable of defending ourselves, either physically or verbally
We'll never break, we'll never bend
We are resilient and strong, we won't give up easily
And if we fall we'll rise again
We are not afraid to fail, we will always pick ourselves up and try again
For we're the boys of Belfast
Because we are the proud men from Belfast
When we're back on Paddy's shore
When we return to Ireland
The lassies they'll be sad no more
The women will be happy to see us return
Tonight we'll make the rafters roar
Tonight we will have a great time and make a lot of noise
In the pubs of Belfast
In the local bars of Belfast
Contributed by Gabriel K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ian Burt
on Bluenose
You have missed out a verse.