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.

Bridget Flynn
The Irish Rovers Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I've a nice little house and a cow or two with grass
I've a plant garden runnin' by the door
I've a shelter for the hens and a stable for the ass
Now, what could a man want more?

I don't know, maybe so
But a bachelor is easy and he's free
But I've lots to look after, though I'm living all alone

Sure nobody's looking after me

Me father often tells me I should go and have a try
To find a girl that owns a bit of land
And I know the way he says it that there's someone on his mind
And me mother has the whole thing planned

I don't know, maybe so
But t'would mollify them greatly to agree
Now, there's little Bridget Flynn, sure it's her I'd love to win
But she never has an eye for me

Now there's a little girl who's worth her weight in gold
And that's a decent dowry, don't you see?
And I mean to go and ask her just as soon as I get bold
If she'll come and have an eye for me

Will she go? I don't know
But I'd love to have her sittin' on me knee
And I'll sing like a thrush in a hawthorn bush
If she'll come and have an eye for me

Ooh ooh, ooh ooh ooh

Overall Meaning

The Irish Rovers' song "Bridget Flynn" tells the story of a bachelor who lives alone but has a nice little house, some cows and hens, and a stable for his ass. Despite his humble possessions, he longs for companionship and someone to care for him. His father advises him to find a girl who owns some land, and his mother already has someone in mind - Bridget Flynn. However, the singer has never caught Bridget's eye before but resolves to ask her to be his companion and sing to her if she agrees.

The song paints a picture of a simple life and the desire for love and companionship. The singer's reluctance to pursue anyone until Bridget is revealing of his romantic interest and commitment to her, despite not knowing if she will reciprocate. The mention of dowries and land ownership also highlights the practical considerations associated with marriage during this time.

Line by Line Meaning

I've a nice little house and a cow or two with grass
I have my own small house and a couple of cows that are well-fed and taken care of.

I've a plant garden runnin' by the door
I have a lovely garden near my doorstep that has several plants.

I've a shelter for the hens and a stable for the ass
I have proper housing for my hens and an ass in my stable.

Now, what could a man want more?
I have everything a man could want and I am content with what I have.

But I've lots to look after, though I'm living all alone
Even though I live alone, I have many responsibilities to look after.

Me father often tells me I should go and have a try
My father encourages me to try and find a romantic partner.

To find a girl that owns a bit of land
He suggests I should look for a girl who possesses a piece of land.

And I know the way he says it that there's someone on his mind
It's clear from the way he speaks that he has someone specific in mind.

And me mother has the whole thing planned
My mother has already thought of a plan regarding my marriage.

But t'would mollify them greatly to agree
It would make them extremely happy if I were to comply with their wishes.

Now, there's little Bridget Flynn, sure it's her I'd love to win
There's a girl named Bridget Flynn who I would love to marry.

But she never has an eye for me
Unfortunately, Bridget doesn't seem interested in me.

And that's a decent dowry, don't you see?
Bridget has a good amount of wealth which can be considered as a substantial dowry.

And I mean to go and ask her just as soon as I get bold
I plan to gather the courage to ask Bridget to marry me soon.

If she'll come and have an eye for me
If she accepts me and is interested in being my partner.

And I'll sing like a thrush in a hawthorn bush
If Bridget accepts me, I will be extremely happy and will sing joyfully like a thrush.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Jeremy Lanning, Percy French

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

badboy69yoda

9y↑19

I've a nice little house and a cow yard too with grass.
I've a plant garden running by the door.
I've a shelter for the hens and a stable for the ass
Now, what could a man want more?
I don't know, maybe so,
But a bachelor is easy and he's free.
But I've lots to look after, though I'm living all alone.
Sure nobody's looking after me.
My father often tells me I should go and have a try
To find a girl that owns a bit of land.
And I know, the way he says it, that there's someone on his mind.
And my mother has the whole thing planned.
I don't know, maybe so,
But t'would mollify them greatly to agree.
Now, there's little Bridget Flynn, sure it's her I'd love to win,
But she never has an eye for me.
Now there's a little girl who's worth her weight in gold.
And that's a decent dowry, don't you see?
And I mean to go and ask her just as soon as I get bold,
If she'll come and have an eye for me.
Will she go? I don't know.
But I'd love to have her sitting on my knee.
And I'll sing like a thrush in a hawthorn bush
If she'll come and have an eye for me.