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.

I'm A Rambler I'm A Gambler
The Irish Rovers Lyrics

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I'm a rambler, I'm a gambler, I'm a long way from home
And if you don't like me, well, leave me alone
I'll eat when I'm hungry, I'll drink when I'm dry
And the moonshine don't kill me, I'll live til I die

I've been a moonshiner for many a year
I've spent all me money on whiskey and beer
I'll go to some hollow, I'll set up my still

And I'll make you a gallon for a ten shilling bill

I'm a rambler, I'm a gambler, I'm a long way from home
And if you don't like me, well, leave me alone
I'll eat when I'm hungry, I'll drink when I'm dry
And the moonshine don't kill me, I'll live til I die

I'll go to some hollow in this counterie
Ten gallons of wash I can go on a spree
No women to follow, the world is all mine
I love none so well as I love the moonshine

I'm a rambler, I'm a gambler, I'm a long way from home
And if you don't like me, well, leave me alone
I'll eat when I'm hungry, I'll drink when I'm dry
And the moonshine don't kill me, I'll live til I die

Oh, moonshine, dear moonshine, oh, how I love thee
You killed me old father, but ah you try me
Now bless all moonshiners and bless all moonshine
Their breath smells as sweet as the dew on the vine

I'm a rambler, I'm a gambler, I'm a long way from home
And if you don't like me, well, leave me alone

I'll eat when I'm hungry, I'll drink when I'm dry
And the moonshine don't kill me, I'll live til I die

Overall Meaning

The Irish Rovers’ “I’m A Rambler I’m A Gambler” is an upbeat and lively song that portrays a free-spirited lifestyle of a man who loves traveling, drinking, and moonshine. The first stanza speaks of the rambler as someone who is away from home, and if anyone disapproves of him, he leaves them alone. He further says that he eats when he’s hungry and drinks when there’s nothing to do. He states that if the moonshine doesn't kill him, he’ll continue to live his life his way.

The second stanza describes the musings of a moonshiner who has spent all his wealth on whiskey and beer. He sets up his still in some hollow and makes a bargain of a gallon for a ten shilling bill. The third stanza talks of how the moonshiner can produce ten gallons of wash and relishes his freedom without any woman to follow. The fourth and the final stanza is about the moonshine itself. The rambler as praises the drink, admitting that it killed his father but has never harmed or tried him. He blesses all moonshiners and moonshine and admits the smell of their breath to be as sweet as the dew on the vine.

Line by Line Meaning

I'm a rambler, I'm a gambler, I'm a long way from home
I am a wanderer and a risk-taker who is far from my place of origin

And if you don't like me, well, leave me alone
If you do not approve of me, kindly mind your own business and do not interfere with me

I'll eat when I'm hungry, I'll drink when I'm dry
I will consume food and beverages as and when the need arises

And the moonshine don't kill me, I'll live til I die
As long as the illicitly distilled alcoholic beverage called moonshine does not harm me, I will continue to exist until the moment of my natural death

I've been a moonshiner for many a year
I have been involved in the illegal production of moonshine alcohol for a considerable period of time

I've spent all me money on whiskey and beer
I have squandered all my wealth on alcohol, namely whiskey and beer

I'll go to some hollow, I'll set up my still
I will construct a secret location, commonly referred to as a hollow, and establish a moonshine distillation apparatus

And I'll make you a gallon for a ten shilling bill
I will manufacture a gallon of moonshine alcohol in exchange for a ten shilling currency note

I'll go to some hollow in this counterie
I will select a remote and hidden location in this particular country

Ten gallons of wash I can go on a spree
With the availability of ten gallons of wash or fermented liquid, I can embark on a spree or a prolonged period of wild and reckless behavior

No women to follow, the world is all mine
As I am not bound to any particular woman, I am free to roam the world as I please

I love none so well as I love the moonshine
My greatest affection is reserved for moonshine alcohol above all else

Oh, moonshine, dear moonshine, oh, how I love thee
Oh, moonshine, my beloved moonshine, how deeply I cherish you

You killed me old father, but ah you try me
Although moonshine caused the death of my father, I am undeterred in my devotion to it

Now bless all moonshiners and bless all moonshine
May all those engaged in the illegal production of moonshine and the beverage itself be blessed

Their breath smells as sweet as the dew on the vine
The breath of moonshiners has a fragrance similar to the sweet smelling dew drops on vines

Contributed by Logan P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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