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.

Goodbye Mick And Goodbye Pat
The Irish Rovers Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Now the ship it sails in half an hour to cross the broad Atlantic
Me friends are standing on the quay in grief and sorrow frantic
I'm just about to sail away on the good ship Dan O'Leary
The anchor's weighed and the gangway's up, I'm leaving Tipperary

So goodbye Mick and goodbye Pat and goodbye Kate and Mary
The anchor's weighed and the gangway's up, I'm leaving Tipperary
And now the steam is rising up, I have no more to say

I'm bound for New York City, boys, three thousand miles away

In my old kitbag here I have cabbage, spuds and bacon
Isn't that the finest fare and is your belly aching
If the ship its starts to pitch and toss
I'll left very quickly I'll pack me bundle on me back and I'll walk to New York City

So goodbye Mick and goodbye Pat and goodbye Kate and Mary
The anchor's weighed and the gangway's up, I'm leaving Tipperary
And now the steam is rising up, I have no more to say
I'm bound for New York City, boys, three thousand miles away

Those Yankee girls will sure love me, of course I'm speculatin'
I'll oil them well with liquor, boys, and they'll love the way I'm treatin'
I'm as deep in love with Molly Burke an ass is fond of clover
When I get there I'll send for her, that's if she will come over

So goodbye Mick and goodbye Pat and goodbye Kate and Mary
The anchor's weighed and the gangway's up, I'm leaving Tipperary
And now the steam is rising up, I have no more to say
I'm bound for New York City, boys, three thousand miles away

So goodbye Mick and goodbye Pat and goodbye Kate and Mary
The anchor's weighed and the gangway's up, I'm leaving Tipperary

And now the steam is rising up, I have no more to say
I'm bound for New York City, boys, three thousand miles away

Overall Meaning

The Irish Rovers's song "Goodbye Mick and Goodbye Pat" tells the story of a man leaving Ireland for America. The first verse sets the scene – he is at the quay and is about to sail away. His friends are there to see him off, but they are sad and worried, which adds to the emotional weight of the song. The second verse describes his journey, with the ship getting ready to leave and the singer bidding farewell to his homeland. He has with him the typical Irish fare of cabbage, spuds, and bacon, which shows that he is taking a piece of home with him.

The third verse reveals his hopes and dreams. He is excited about going to New York City and meeting Yankee girls. He is also in love with Molly Burke, and he plans to send for her once he settles down in America. This verse adds a touch of romance to the song, which balances out the sadness of leaving his homeland.

Overall, "Goodbye Mick and Goodbye Pat" is a poignant song about leaving behind the people and places that one loves. It captures the sense of adventure that comes with emigrating to a new country, but it also acknowledges the bittersweet nature of such a journey.

Line by Line Meaning

Now the ship it sails in half an hour to cross the broad Atlantic
The ship that I am supposed to be on will be leaving soon to go to New York, which is far away from Ireland.

Me friends are standing on the quay in grief and sorrow frantic
My friends are on the dock, feeling very sad and worried about my departure.

I'm just about to sail away on the good ship Dan O'Leary
I am about to leave on a ship called Dan O'Leary, which will take me to New York.

The anchor's weighed and the gangway's up, I'm leaving Tipperary
The ship is now moving away from the dock, and I am leaving my hometown of Tipperary behind.

So goodbye Mick and goodbye Pat and goodbye Kate and Mary
I am saying goodbye to my friends and loved ones named Mick, Pat, Kate, and Mary.

And now the steam is rising up, I have no more to say
The ship's engine is starting and I am ready to begin the journey, so there is nothing else for me to say.

I'm bound for New York City, boys, three thousand miles away
I am headed for New York, which is three thousand miles away.

In my old kitbag here I have cabbage, spuds and bacon
I have brought some food with me, including cabbage, potatoes, and bacon, which are traditional Irish dishes.

Isn't that the finest fare and is your belly aching
This is the best food I could bring, and I hope it doesn't make you too hungry.

If the ship its starts to pitch and toss
If the ship begins to rock back and forth in the rough ocean waves,

I'll left very quickly I'll pack me bundle on me back and I'll walk to New York City
I will leave the ship immediately and walk to New York if the ship becomes too difficult to sail on.

Those Yankee girls will sure love me, of course I'm speculatin'
I think that the American girls will find me attractive and charming.

I'll oil them well with liquor, boys, and they'll love the way I'm treatin'
I will give them alcohol and treat them well, and they will enjoy my company.

I'm as deep in love with Molly Burke an ass is fond of clover
I am deeply in love with a woman named Molly Burke, as much as a donkey is fond of eating clover.

When I get there I'll send for her, that's if she will come over
I plan to send for Molly once I arrive in New York, but it is uncertain if she will want to come there to be with me.

So goodbye Mick and goodbye Pat and goodbye Kate and Mary
I am saying goodbye again to my friends and loved ones named Mick, Pat, Kate, and Mary.

And now the steam is rising up, I have no more to say
The ship is leaving and I have nothing else to say.

I'm bound for New York City, boys, three thousand miles away
Once again, I am going to New York, which is three thousand miles away.

Contributed by Kaelyn O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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