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.

Brady of Strabane
The Irish Rovers Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I welcome with me Johnny
And you're with a decent man.
Twas little I knew what I had to do
for Brady of Strabane.

Well as I went in to a hiring faire in a place the called the Strand
Twas there I hired for seven long years with Brady of Strabane.
And before I signed to work for him he was very nice to me.

He promised me eggs and bacon and he then shook hands with me.

I welcome with me Johnny
And you're with a decent man
Twas little I knew what I had to do
for Brady of Strabane

But I went up to me bed that night to let an awful bawl
For the fleas they made a fierce attack and I got no sleep at all.
When I come down for me breakfast, well what do you think I see?
But a dozen squabbling children saying, "Is there anything there for me?"

I welcome with me Johnny
And you're with a decent man.
Twas little I knew what I had to do
for Brady of Strabane.

Each morning I arose from work at the dawning of the day.
I tend to his cows and horses and feed them oats and hay.
Then off to plough the pastures and plant the spuds and corn.
Each night before I went to sleep I wish I ne'er been born.

I welcome with me Johnny
And you're with a decent man.
Twas little I knew what I had to do
for Brady of Strabane.

I worked on Brady's farm 'till I looked an awful sight
Me bones were pushin' through me skin. I worked from mornin' 'till night
And when I died and passed away old Brady gave a grin.
Said, "He'll make good fertilizer, and there's plenty more like him."

I welcome with me Johnny
And you're with a decent man.
Twas little I knew what I had to do
for Brady of Strabane.

I welcome with me Johnny
And you're with a decent man.

Twas little I knew what I had to do
for Brady of Strabane.

Overall Meaning

The Irish Rovers's song "Brady of Strabane" is a classic Irish folk tune that tells a story of the hardships faced by farmers in Ireland in the past. The song is sung from the perspective of a farmhand who hires on with a man named Brady in the town of Strabane. At first, the farmhand thinks that he has found a good employer, but he quickly discovers that working for Brady is no easy task.

The initial promises that Brady made, like eggs and bacon for breakfast, quickly fade away when the farmhand experiences the realities of his job. He has to work long hours, tend to animals, and plow fields. Even worse, he has to deal with children who are always hungry and a house full of fleas. As the farmhand works longer and longer, he becomes emaciated, and when he eventually passes away, Brady shows no regret for treating him so poorly.

The song's lyrics use a mix of humor and sadness to paint a vivid picture of life on a farm in Ireland. The farmhand's experiences underscore the challenges faced by working-class people in Ireland in the past. However, amidst the hardships, there is also a sense of camaraderie and community that keeps people going.

Line by Line Meaning

I welcome with me Johnny
I greeted Johnny, my companion

And you're with a decent man.
And you are in good company with me

Twas little I knew what I had to do
I had no idea what tasks were in store for me

for Brady of Strabane.
as an employee of Brady from Strabane

Well as I went in to a hiring faire in a place the called the Strand
As I entered the job fair at a location known as The Strand

Twas there I hired for seven long years with Brady of Strabane.
That's where I accepted a job with Brady of Strabane for a seven-year contract

And before I signed to work for him he was very nice to me.
Before signing the contract, he was polite and charming

He promised me eggs and bacon and he then shook hands with me.
He made a commitment to provide me with food and even shook my hand to seal the deal

But I went up to me bed that night to let an awful bawl
But that first night, I cried myself to sleep

For the fleas they made a fierce attack and I got no sleep at all.
Fleas were biting me all night, so I couldn't rest

When I come down for me breakfast, well what do you think I see?
Next morning, I descend for breakfast and what I encountered is unbelievable

But a dozen squabbling children saying, "Is there anything there for me?"
A horde of children were fighting and asking for food

Each morning I arose from work at the dawning of the day.
Every morning, I arose before daybreak to begin working

I tend to his cows and horses and feed them oats and hay.
I took care of the cows and horses, giving them hay and oats for food.

Then off to plough the pastures and plant the spuds and corn.
Followed by plowing the pastures, planting potatoes and corn

Each night before I went to sleep I wish I ne'er been born.
Every night, I prayed to not be born because of the strenuous work

I worked on Brady's farm 'till I looked an awful sight
I worked on Brady's farm till I looked pitiful

Me bones were pushin' through me skin. I worked from mornin' 'till night
My bones were visible through my skin since I was working from dawn to dusk

And when I died and passed away old Brady gave a grin.
Eventually, when I died and passed, Brady seemed pleased

Said, "He'll make good fertilizer, and there's plenty more like him."
Brady stated that I would serve as excellent fertilizer, and others like me were available.

I welcome with me Johnny
I greeted Johnny, my companion.

And you're with a decent man.
And you are in good company with me.

Twas little I knew what I had to do
I had no idea what tasks were in store for me.

for Brady of Strabane.
as an employee of Brady from Strabane.

Writer(s): traditional

Contributed by Katherine S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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