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.
Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer
The Irish Rovers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Walking home from our house Christmas Eve
You can say theres no such thing as Santa
But as for me and grandpa we believe
She'd been drinking too much egg nog
And we warned her not to go
But she forgot her medication
When we found her Christmas morning
At the scene of the attack
There were hoofprints on her forehead
And incriminating claw marks on her back
Grandma got run over by a reindeer
Walking home from our house Christmas Eve
You can say theres no such thing as Santa
But as for me and grandpa we believe
It's not Christmas without grandma
All the family's dressed in black
And we just cant help but wonder
Should we open up her gifts or send them back !
Grandma got run over by a reindeer
Walking home from our house Christmas Eve
You can say theres no such thing as Santa
But as for me and grandpa we believe
Now were all so proud of grandpa
He's been taking this so well
See him in there watching football
Drinking beer and playing cards with cousin mel
Grandma got run over by a reindeer
Walking home from our house Christmas Eve
You can say theres no such thing as Santa
But as for me and grandpa we believe
Now the goose is on the table
And the pudding made of fig
And the blue and silver candles
That would just have matched the hair in grandmas wig
Grandma got run over by a reindeer
Walking home from our house Christmas Eve
You can say theres no such thing as Santa
But as for me and grandpa we believe
I've warned all my friends and neighbors
Better watch out for your selfs
they should never give a license
To a man who drives a sleigh and plays with elfs !
Grandma got run over by a reindeer
Walking home from our house Christmas Eve
You can say theres no such thing as Santa
But as for me and grandpa we believe
The lyrics to "Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer" talk about a tragic accident that occurred on Christmas Eve. Grandma had been drinking too much egg nog and wandered out of the door into the snow without her medication. Unfortunately, she got run over by a reindeer and was found on Christmas morning with hoofprints on her forehead and claw marks on her back. The family is understandably upset and wonders if they should open up her Christmas gifts or send them back. However, they note that they still believe in Santa Claus despite the tragedy.
One interpretation of the song could be that it's a cautionary tale about the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption and going out into the cold without proper preparation. Another interpretation is that it's a lighthearted take on a tragic event that emphasizes the importance of family during the holiday season.
Line by Line Meaning
Grandma got run over by a reindeer
Grandma was hit by a reindeer.
Walking home from our house Christmas Eve
She was walking from our house on Christmas Eve.
You can say theres no such thing as Santa
Some people don't believe in Santa.
But as for me and grandpa we believe
But my grandpa and I do.
She'd been drinking too much egg nog
Grandma had too much egg nog to drink.
And we warned her not to go
We told her not to leave.
But she forgot her medication
Grandma forgot to take her medicine.
And she wandered out the door into the snow
And she went outside in the snow.
When we found her Christmas morning
We found her on Christmas morning.
At the scene of the attack
She was at the place where the reindeer hit her.
There were hoofprints on her forehead
The reindeer left hoofprints on her forehead.
And incriminating claw marks on her back
Her back had scratch marks on it.
It's not Christmas without grandma
Christmas isn't the same without grandma.
All the family's dressed in black
We all wore black at her funeral.
And we just cant help but wonder
We can't help but wonder.
Should we open up her gifts or send them back !
Should we open Grandma's presents or return them?
Now were all so proud of grandpa
We're proud of grandpa.
He's been taking this so well
He's been handling Grandma's death well.
See him in there watching football
He's inside watching football.
Drinking beer and playing cards with cousin mel
He's drinking beer and playing cards with his cousin Mel.
Now the goose is on the table
We have a goose on the table.
And the pudding made of fig
There's a fig pudding.
And the blue and silver candles
The candles are blue and silver.
That would just have matched the hair in grandmas wig
The candles would have matched Grandma's wig.
I've warned all my friends and neighbors
I warned my friends and neighbors.
Better watch out for your selfs
Be careful.
they should never give a license
They shouldn't give a license.
To a man who drives a sleigh and plays with elfs !
To someone who drives a sleigh and plays with elves!
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: RANDY BROOKS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ian Burt
on Bluenose
You have missed out a verse.