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 Rover
The Irish Rovers Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'm a rover and seldom sober, I'm a rover of high degree
It's when I'm drinkin', I'm always thinkin' how to gain my love's company

Here's to health to all true lovers, here's to mine wherever she be
This very night I will go and see her, though she lives many miles from me

I'm a rover and seldom sober, I'm a rover of high degree
It's when I'm drinkin' I'm always thinkin' how to gain my love's company

Though the night is dark and dreary, without a star shining up above
I'll find the road now without a stumble, into the arms of my own true love

I'm a rover and seldom sober, I'm a rover of high degree
It's when I'm drinkin' I'm always thinkin' how to gain my love's company

But I arrived at my true love's window, the rain has soaked me to the skin
I whispered softly through her window, "open the door, love, and let me in"

I'm a rover and seldom sober, I'm a rover of high degree
It's when I'm drinkin' I'm always thinkin' how to gain my love's company

She opened the door with the greatest pleasure, she opened the door and she held him tight
They sweetley kissed and embraced each other and his arms she lay all night

I'm a rover and seldom sober, I'm a rover of high degree
It's when I'm drinkin' I'm always thinkin' how to gain my love's company

The cocks are crowin' and I must be goin', the Belfast hills are high above
But over them I will climb with pleasure, since I've been with my own true love

I'm a rover and seldom sober, I'm a rover of high degree
It's when I'm drinkin' I'm always thinkin' how to gain my love's company

I'm a rover and seldom sober, I'm a rover of high degree
It's when I'm drinkin' I'm always thinkin' how to gain my love's company

Overall Meaning

The Irish Rovers' song "I'm a Rover" explores the wandering nature of love and the lengths one will go to be with their true love. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a man who is often drunk and aimlessly wandering, but his thoughts and actions are always consumed by thoughts of his love. He longs to be with her, no matter the distance or obstacle, and will go to great lengths to win her company.

The chorus repeats multiple times, emphasizing the singer's constant state of restlessness and his need for companionship. The verse describes the journey he takes to get to his love, through dark and dreary landscapes, soaked to the bone from the rain. But despite the obstacles, he reaches his true love's window, and they are reunited in a passionate embrace.

The song, while straightforward in its lyrics, captures the universal theme of longing and a search for connection. It also highlights the romantic ideal of "love conquers all," as the singer is willing to overcome any obstacle to be with his love.

Line by Line Meaning

I'm a rover and seldom sober, I'm a rover of high degree
I am a wanderer who is rarely sober, but my social status is renowned among my fellow travelers

It's when I'm drinkin', I'm always thinkin' how to gain my love's company
When I drink, my only thought is to be with the one I love

Here's to health to all true lovers, here's to mine wherever she be
I propose a toast to the well-being of all genuine admirers, including my own, wherever she may be

This very night I will go and see her, though she lives many miles from me
Tonight, I will travel many miles to visit my love, wherever she may reside

Though the night is dark and dreary, without a star shining up above
The night may be gloomy and starless, but I will still navigate my way to her

I'll find the road now without a stumble, into the arms of my own true love
I am confident that I will find my way to my true love's embrace without difficulty

But I arrived at my true love's window, the rain has soaked me to the skin
I have arrived at my love's window, but the rain has drenched me completely

I whispered softly through her window, "open the door, love, and let me in"
I romantically whispered through her window, requesting her affectionate presence

She opened the door with the greatest pleasure, she opened the door and she held him tight
My love happily opened the door and embraced me tightly

They sweetley kissed and embraced each other and his arms she lay all night
We shared sweet kisses and embraced one another throughout the night in each other's arms

The cocks are crowin' and I must be goin', the Belfast hills are high above
The roosters are crowing, and I must depart; the hills of Belfast loom above me

But over them I will climb with pleasure, since I've been with my own true love
I will ascend over the hills with joy as I have just spent time with my true love

I'm a rover and seldom sober, I'm a rover of high degree
I am a wanderer who is rarely sober, but my social status is renowned among my fellow travelers

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: George Millar, Wilcil McDowell, Sean O'Driscoll

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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