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.

Goodnight Irene
The Irish Rovers Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Irene goodnight, Irene goodnight
Goodnight Irene, Goodnight Irene
I´ll see you in my dreams

Last Saturday night I got married
Me and my wife settled down
Now me and my wife are parted
Gonna take a little stroll downtown

Irene goodnight, Irene goodnight
Goodnight Irene, Goodnight Irene
I´ll see you in my dreams

I asked your mother for your hand, she told me you were too young
I wished to the lord, have never seen your face
Or heard your lying tone!

Irene goodnight, Irene goodnight
Goodnight Irene, Goodnight Irene
I´ll see you in my dreams

I love Irene, God knows I do
Love her ´til the rivers run dry
and If irene turns her back on me
I know I'll surely die

Irene goodnight, Irene goodnight
Goodnight Irene, Goodnight Irene
I´ll see you in my dreams
Irene goodnight, Irene goodnight
Goodnight Irene, Goodnight Irene
I´ll see you in my dreams

Goodnight Irene, Goodnight Irene
I'll see you in my dreams

Overall Meaning

The Irish Rovers' song "Goodnight Irene" is a classic folk song that tells the story of a man who is in love with a woman named Irene. The song starts with the chorus "Irene goodnight, Irene goodnight, Goodnight Irene, Goodnight Irene, I'll see you in my dreams." It is a heartfelt plea from the singer to Irene, expressing his deep affection for her and his desire to see her again.

The lyrics then go on to recount the events leading up to the present moment, where the singer and his wife have separated, and he is going out for a walk in the hopes of finding Irene. He reminisces about his wedding day and how much he loves Irene. He even goes so far as to say that if she were to turn her back on him, he would surely die.

The song takes a sad turn when the singer recalls how he was rejected by Irene's mother, who said that Irene was too young for him. This line hints at the possibility that Irene may not reciprocate the singer's feelings. Overall, "Goodnight Irene" is a melancholic and bittersweet love song that captures the longing and heartache of unrequited love.

Line by Line Meaning

Irene goodnight, Irene goodnight
Farewell Irene, farewell Irene

Goodnight Irene, Goodnight Irene
Sleep well Irene, sleep well Irene

I´ll see you in my dreams
I'll remember you in my dreams

Last Saturday night I got married
I recently got married

Me and my wife settled down
We started a new family together

Now me and my wife are parted
But now we are separated

Gonna take a little stroll downtown
I'm going for a walk in the city

I asked your mother for your hand, she told me you were too young
I tried getting engaged to you, but your mother thought you were too young

I wished to the lord, have never seen your face
I regret ever meeting you

Or heard your lying tone!
Or hearing your false voice

I love Irene, God knows I do
I genuinely love Irene