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.
Kelly From Killann
The Irish Rovers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With your long barrel guns from the sea?
Say, what wind from the south brings a messenger here
With this hymn of the dawn for the free?
Goodly news, goodly news do I bring youth of Forth
Goodly news shall I hear Bargy man
For the boys march at morn from the south to the north
Led by Kelly, the boy from Killane
Tell me who is the giant with the gold curling hair
He who rides at the head of your band
Seven feet is his height with some inches to spare
And he looks like a king in command
O me boys that's the pride of the bold Shelmalier
'Mongst our greatest of heroes a man
Fling your beavers aloft and give three ringing cheers
For John Kelly, the boy from Killane
Enniscorthy is in flames and old Wexford is won
And tomorrow the barrow will cross
On the hill o'er the town we have planted a gun
That will batter the gateway to Ross
All the Forth men and Bargy men will march o'er the heath
With brave Harvey to lead in the van
But the foremost of all in the grim gap of death
Will be Kelly, the boy from Killane
But the gold sun of freedom grew darkened at Ross
And it set by the Slaney's red wave...
And poor Wexford stripped naked hung high on a cross
With her heart pierced by traitors and knaves
Glory-o, Glory-o to her brave men who died
For the cause of long down-trodden man
Glory-o to Mount-Leinster's own darling and pride
Dauntless Kelly, the boy from Killane
The song "Kelly From Killanne" is a tribute to a heroic figure during the Irish Rebellion of 1798, John Kelly. In the first stanza, the singer asks for news from the Bold Shelmalier who arrives with a message for the youth of Forth and Bargy. He brings good news that the boys are marching from the south to the north led by the heroic and legendary figure Kelly from Killane. The chorus celebrates Kelly's leadership and fighting spirit, as he leads his men to victory.
In the second stanza, the singer asks who the giant with gold curling hair is, who rides at the head of the band. The man is described as tall, commanding, and looking like a king. The group cheers and the singer exclaims that John Kelly, the pride of the bold Shelmalier, is the man leading them to battle.
In the final stanza, the singer describes the outcome of the rebellion, where the gold sun of freedom grew darkened at Ross, and Wexford was stripped naked and hung high on a cross as punishment for their rebellion against the British. Despite this, the singer and the group still celebrate and honor the brave men who died for the cause of Ireland, and Dauntless Kelly, the boy from Killane.
Overall, "Kelly From Killanne" is a song that celebrates the heroism and bravery of John Kelly, who led his fellow Irishmen in the fight against the British, even in the face of defeat.
Line by Line Meaning
What's the news, what's the news, O me bold Shelmalier
What new tidings do you bring, Shelmalier?
With your long barrel guns from the sea?
What brought you here with your powerful artillery?
Say, what wind from the south brings a messenger here
What wind carried you here, bringing news from the south?
With this hymn of the dawn for the free?
What message of hope do you bring for the oppressed?
Goodly news, goodly news do I bring youth of Forth
I bring excellent news to the people of Forth
Goodly news shall I hear Bargy man
Great news awaits the Bargy people
For the boys march at morn from the south to the north
For in the morning, our brave soldiers will march from the south to the north
Led by Kelly, the boy from Killane
And they will be led by the courageous Kelly, from the town of Killane
Tell me who is the giant with the gold curling hair
Please tell me, who is the formidable warrior with the golden hair?
He who rides at the head of your band
The one who leads your troops into battle
Seven feet is his height with some inches to spare
He towers at seven feet with enough height to spare
And he looks like a king in command
His presence exudes the power and authority of a king
O me boys that's the pride of the bold Shelmalier
He is the pride of the brave Shelmalier
'Mongst our greatest of heroes a man
Among our greatest heroes, he truly stands out
Fling your beavers aloft and give three ringing cheers
Raise your hats and let out three rousing cheers!
For John Kelly, the boy from Killane
For John Kelly, the fearless boy who hails from Killane
Enniscorthy is in flames and old Wexford is won
Enniscorthy is burning, and Wexford has been conquered
And tomorrow the barrow will cross
Tomorrow, we will cross the Barrow river
On the hill o'er the town we have planted a gun
We have placed a large cannon on the hill overlooking the town
That will batter the gateway to Ross
It will break down the entrance to Ross, our next destination
All the Forth men and Bargy men will march o'er the heath
All of the Forth and Bargy men will march across the heath
With brave Harvey to lead in the van
Their fearless leader Harvey will lead them forward
But the foremost of all in the grim gap of death
But the bravest of them all, in the face of death
Will be Kelly, the boy from Killane
Will surely be Kelly, the courageous boy from Killane
But the gold sun of freedom grew darkened at Ross
But our once-bright hope for freedom has been dimmed after our defeat at Ross
And it set by the Slaney's red wave...
Our hopes were crushed by the river Slaney's red tide
And poor Wexford stripped naked hung high on a cross
And the people of Wexford, now broken and defenseless, were brutally hanged on crosses
With her heart pierced by traitors and knaves
Betrayed by traitors and cowards, their hearts were pierced with pain
Glory-o, Glory-o to her brave men who died
We salute the brave men who gave their lives in the fight for freedom
For the cause of long down-trodden man
For the cause of mankind, long oppressed and downtrodden
Glory-o to Mount-Leinster's own darling and pride
And we pay special tribute to Mount-Leinster's beloved and valiant son
Dauntless Kelly, the boy from Killane
The unflinching Kelly, the boy who fearlessly hails from Killane
Contributed by Colin P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ian Burt
on Bluenose
You have missed out a verse.