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.
Down By the Lagan Side
The Irish Rovers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well I thought she was a vision
That stopped me with her smile
Down by the river
We walked along in style
She says you're welcome back again
And won't you stay awhile
Down by the Lagan side
And when we dance, we'll dance together
When we cry, we'll hold each other
And when we love, we'll love forever
Down by the Lagan side
I said who owns that music
So full of joy and pain
That the pipers and the harpers
And the lambeg drummers play
She said who owns the teardrops
Falling in the rain
Down by the Lagan side
And when we dance, we'll dance together
When we cry, we'll hold each other
And when we love, we'll love forever
Down by the Lagan side
And do you not remember
We once walked side by side
And the bells of Belfast city
Sang in harmony and pride
The past it has been taken
But the future's yours and mine
Down by the Lagan side
And when we dance, we'll dance together
When we cry, we'll hold each other
And when we love, we'll love forever
Down by the Lagan side
And when we dance, we'll dance together
When we cry, we'll hold each other
And when we love, we'll love forever
Down by the Lagan side
And when we dance, we'll dance together
When we cry, we'll hold each other
And when we love, we'll love forever
Down by the Lagan side
(Humming chorus)
The Irish Rovers's "Down By the Lagan Side" is a sweet, romantic song that tells the story of two people walking along the Lagan River and falling in love. The song starts with the singer describing the woman as a vision who stopped him in his tracks with her smile. They walk along the river and she invites him to stay awhile, and they dance together, hold each other when they cry, and love each other forever down by the Lagan side.
As they continue walking, the singer hears music filled with joy and pain from the pipers, harpers, and lambeg drummers. He asks who owns that music and she responds by asking who owns the teardrops falling in the rain. This exchange highlights the beauty of the moment, where the music and the tears both belong to the river and the city that they are in. They reflect on their past and walk harmoniously, as the bells of Belfast city ring in pride. The song ends on a hopeful note, with the future belonging to them and the love they share down by the Lagan side.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I thought she was a vision
I initially believed that she was a sight to behold
That stopped me with her smile
I was struck by her ability to captivate me with her smile
Down by the river
We were walking beside the river
We walked along in style
We were moving in a fashionable and impressive manner
She says you're welcome back again
She told me that I am invited to come back again
And won't you stay awhile
She asked me to extend my stay for a bit longer
Down by the Lagan side
We were standing by the Lagan River
And when we dance, we'll dance together
We will dance alongside each other
When we cry, we'll hold each other
We will embrace each other during times of sorrow
And when we love, we'll love forever
Our love will be eternal
I said who owns that music
I asked about the ownership of the music being played
So full of joy and pain
The music is filled with both happiness and sadness
That the pipers and the harpers
The people playing the music with bagpipes and harps
And the lambeg drummers play
And the percussionists play the Lambeg drum
She said who owns the teardrops
In response, she asked who owns the tears that fall during the rain
Falling in the rain
Referring to the rain that is falling down
And do you not remember
Don't you recall
We once walked side by side
We used to walk together
And the bells of Belfast city
The ringing of the bells in Belfast city
Sang in harmony and pride
Were resonating with a sense of unity and dignity
The past it has been taken
The past has been taken away from us
But the future's yours and mine
But the future belongs to both of us
Contributed by Gabriel M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ian Burt
on Bluenose
You have missed out a verse.