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.
Donald Where's Your Trousers
The Irish Rovers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Traditional)
The Men They Couldn't Hang
I just got down from the Isle of Skye
I'm not very big but I'm awful shy
"Donald, Where's Your Trousers?"
Let the wind blow high and the wind blow low
Through the streets in my kilt I go
All the lassies cry, "Hello!
Donald, where's your trousers?"
I went to a fancy ball
It was slippery in the hall
I was afraid that I may fall
Because I nay had on trousers
I went down to London town
To have a little fun in the underground
All the Ladies turned their heads around, saying,
"Donald, where's your trousers?"
The lassies love me every one
But they must catch me if they can
You canna put the breeks on a highland man, saying,
"Donald, where's your trousers?"
*****
DONALD, WHERE'S YOUR TROUSERS
(Grant / Andy B. Stewart)
Recorded by: The Irish Rovers; Andy M. Stewart.
I just got in from the Isle of Skye
I'm not very big and I'm awfully shy
the ladies shout as I go by--
Donald where's your trousers.
Chorus:
Let the winds blow high,
Let the winds blow low,
down the street in my kilt I go --
And all the ladies say hello--
Donald where's your trousers
A lady took me to a ball
And it was slippery in the hall
I was afraid that I would fall
'cause I didn't have on my trousers
They'd like to wed me everyone
Just let them catch me if they can --
You canna put the brakes on a highland man
Who doesn't like wearing trousers.
To wear the kilt is my delight,
It isn't wrong, I know it's right.
The highlanders would get afright
If they saw me in trousers.
Well I caught a cold and me nose was raw
I had no handkerchief at all
So I hiked up my kilt and I gave it a blow,
Now you can't do that with trousers.
The Irish Rovers’ song “Donald, Where’s Your Trousers” is a humorous tribute to Scottish highlanders who wear kilts instead of trousers. The song is sung from the perspective of Donald, who has just arrived in town from the Isle of Skye. Donald is shy and not very big, but he catches the attention of all the ladies who ask him the question ‘Donald, where’s your trousers?’. The chorus of the song goes ‘Let the winds blow high, Let the winds blow low, down the street in my kilt I go. And all the ladies say hello, Donald where's your trousers’.
Donald tells us about how he went to a fancy ball, but it was slippery in the hall and he was afraid that he may fall because he didn’t have on trousers. He also tells us about how he went down to London town to have a little fun in the underground, and all the ladies turned their heads around, saying ‘Donald, where’s your trousers?’. The lassies love him, but they must catch him if they can. Donald believes that you canna put the breeks on a highland man, who doesn't like wearing trousers.
The Irish Rovers’ song was first recorded in the 1960s and was a hit across the world. Today, the song is regarded as a classic in Scottish music. The song is commonly performed at Scottish gatherings and Scottish festivals. The words of the song poke good-natured fun at Scottish traditions and has become an anthem celebrating Scottish heritage.
Line by Line Meaning
I just got in from the Isle of Skye
I'm not very big and I'm awfully shy
the ladies shout as I go by--
Donald where's your trousers.
After traveling to Isle of Skye, I - a short and bashful man - return to the sight of women calling out for me, mocking my lack of trousers.
Let the winds blow high,
Let the winds blow low,
down the street in my kilt I go --
And all the ladies say hello--
Donald where's your trousers
In my kilt, I brave all weather and wind to stroll down the street, greeted by ladies inquiring into the whereabouts of my trousers.
A lady took me to a ball
And it was slippery in the hall
I was afraid that I would fall
'cause I didn't have on my trousers
At a fancy ball, my fear of slipping in the hall was realized, as I lacked trousers to ensure my stability.
They'd like to wed me everyone
Just let them catch me if they can --
You canna put the brakes on a highland man
Who doesn't like wearing trousers.
Though many women would like to marry me, they must pursue me, as a highland man who prefers the freedom of a kilt cannot be contained in trousers.
To wear the kilt is my delight,
It isn't wrong, I know it's right.
The highlanders would get afright
If they saw me in trousers.
I take great pleasure in wearing my kilt and believe it to be appropriate attire. Highlanders would be alarmed to see me in trousers.
Well I caught a cold and me nose was raw
I had no handkerchief at all
So I hiked up my kilt and I gave it a blow,
Now you can't do that with trousers.
When I was sick with a raw nose, I utilized the practicality of my kilt by lifting it to blow my nose - an action that would have been impossible with trousers.
Contributed by Aria C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@heronries
Basically this is an older song about exactly what it sounds like: a traditional young man from the Scottish Highlands/Islands who proudly wears his traditional kilt in English society, what happens to him, and the reactions he gets. The men of the Black Watch still get this reaction to their dress uniform kilts. It certainly worked for my father Donald; he turned my mother's head around! Has kept it turned for 51 years and counting, too ^.^
@JugNess1
Your wife and daughters would be raped if you showed any tartin or scottish culture. This may be forgotten by soap heads, but i gaurentee scotland could erupt again.
@TheJules2006
My dad used to sing this to me when I was a wee lass, so every time I hear this song it reminds me of him!
@seamuswbiggerarmalite3379
ole lass
@R3D00d
My girlfriend's Scottish, and she told me that her mother used to sing this to her when she was younger. When I listen to this it makes me imagine that.
@ryanarnone5089
So, how’s your relationship gone in the past 13 years?
@wyettastone
@Ryan Arnone Unfortunately they got kilt
@ryanarnone5089
@Wyatt Jackinov Fs in the chat
@theroundtable6371
How's the relationship now?
@CountingHouse
@Austin Gurski She plaid him.