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.
Brigid Flynn
The Irish Rovers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've a plant garden running by the door;
I′ve a shelter for the hens and a stable for the ass,
And what does a man want more?
I don't know, maybe so,
And a bachelor is easy and free;
But I've got lots to look after, and I′m living all alone,
And there′s no one looking after me.
To get a girl that owns a bit of land;
And I know the way he says it that there's someone in his eye,
And me mother has the whole thing planned.
I don′t know, maybe so,
It would mollify them greatly to agree;
But there's the little Brigid Flynn, and it′s her I want to win,
Though she never throws an eye at me.
Aha, now there's a little girl and she′s worth her weight in gold,
And that's a decent dowry, don't you see;
And I mean to go and ask her as soon as I get bold,
If she′ll come and have an eye to me.
I don′t know, will she go,
But I'd like to have her sitting on me knee;
And I′d sing like a thrush on a hawthorn bush,
If she'd come and have an eye to me.
I don′t know, will she go,
But I'd like to have her sitting on me knee;
And I′d sing like a thrush on a hawthorn bush,
If she'd come and have an eye to me.
The Irish Rovers's song "Brigid Flynn" is a charming and lighthearted tale about a young man who is content with his simple life, but yearns for companionship. He describes his modest homestead with a few cows, a garden, and a stable, and acknowledges that he has plenty to take care of, but wishes he had someone to share his life with. Despite his parents' urging to find a girl who owns land, he has his sights set on Brigid Flynn, who he admires for her golden worth.
The song is relatable in its themes of loneliness and the desire for a partner, but with a humorous twist. The singer is optimistic and even a bit silly in his pursuit of Brigid, singing about how he would "sing like a thrush on a hawthorn bush" if she would just "come and have an eye to me." The lyrics are playful and endearing, making the listener root for the young man to win over his crush.
Overall, "Brigid Flynn" is a joyous and catchy tune that celebrates love and the simple pleasures of life. It reminds us that sometimes, all we need is a little company to make our homes feel complete.
Line by Line Meaning
I've a nice little house and a cow or two with grass
I have a modest home and a few cattle with grazing pastures
I've a plant garden running by the door
I have a small garden with plants and flowers next to my house
I've a shelter for the hens and a stable for the ass
I have a hen house for my chickens and a stable where my donkey rests
And what does a man want more?
I have everything I need, what else could I ask for?
And a bachelor is easy and free
Being unmarried offers independence and freedom
But I've got lots to look after, and I'm living all alone
Despite having many responsibilities and being alone, I am content
And there's no one looking after me
I do not have anyone to take care of me
Well now, me father often tells me I should go and have a try
My father encourages me to pursue a relationship
To get a girl that owns a bit of land
He suggests finding a girl who has her own property
And I know the way he says it that there's someone in his eye
I sense that he has a particular girl in mind
And me mother has the whole thing planned
My mother has a strategy in mind for finding me a wife
It would mollify them greatly to agree
Agreeing with their plan would make my parents very happy
But there's the little Brigid Flynn, and it's her I want to win
Despite their wishes, I have my heart set on Brigid Flynn
Though she never throws an eye at me
Even though she does not show any romantic interest in me
Aha, now there's a little girl and she's worth her weight in gold
There is another girl who would make a great partner and has valuable qualities
And that's a decent dowry, don't you see
She would bring a good amount of money and assets to a potential marriage
And I mean to go and ask her as soon as I get bold
I plan on building up the courage to ask her to be my partner
If she'll come and have an eye to me
If she'll consider being with me
But I'd like to have her sitting on me knee
I would enjoy spending time with her, perhaps even holding her on my lap
And I'd sing like a thrush on a hawthorn bush
I would be very happy and sing beautifully if she reciprocated my feelings
If she'd come and have an eye to me
If she would give me a chance and consider being with me
Contributed by Miles D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
badboy69yoda
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.
Colleen McCracken
I grew up listening to this album, love this song♣
Michelle Rogalski
I love this LP. Have you put anymore songs from this on? Brings back happy childhood memories.
hardlines4
Grew up with these guys..... Love it!!!
Sean Coxen
One of the saddest, most beautiful songs I've ever heard
Elbee
beautiful song!
SuperGeemac
Beautiful , reminds me of growing up in the 60s ! ( 1960s lol )
Michael Otruba
I love everything about this song, but especially the tin whistle.
Joe McGonigle
Irish courtship par excellence! Percy French could write great songs. Too bad he died 100 years ago.
Naiyru
My dad told me I was named after this song. 😊
Stephen in DC
What a great little song ... Sad and real.