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.
Let Mr. McGuire Sit Down
The Irish Rovers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Of a young girl I admired one Katie Donoghue
She was fair and fat and forty and believe me when I say
Whenever I'd come in at the door you could hear her mother say
Johnny get up from the fire get up and give your man a seat
Can't you see it's Mick Maguire and he's courtin' your sister Kate
You know very well he owns a farm a wee bit out of the town
Well the first time I met her was at a dance in Donnahadee
I very kindly ask her would she dance a step with me
I asked if I could see her home if she'd be going my way
But whenever I'd come in at the door you could hear the ould one say
Johnny get up from the fire get up and give your man a seat
Can't you see it's Mick Maguire and he's courtin' your sister Kate
You know very well he owns a farm a wee bit out of the town
Ah get out of that ya impudent brat and let Mister Maguire sit down
But now that we are married her mammy's changed her mind
Just because I spent the money that me daddy left behind
Now she hasn't got the decency to me time of the day
And whenever I'd come in at the door you could hear her mammy say
Johnny come up to the fire come you're sitting in the draft
Can't you see it's ould Maguire and he nearly drives me daft
Sure I don't know what gets in him and he's always on the tear
So sit where you are and never you dare, give ould Maguire the chair
The Irish Rovers's song Let Mr. McGuire Sit Down is a humorous story-song about the singer, Mick Maguire, who loves a girl named Katie Donoghue. However, Katie's mother disapproves of Mick's courting of her daughter and insists he is impudent and shouldn't be allowed to sit down. The first two stanzas detail the efforts of the mother's son, Johnny, to grudgingly give Mick a seat when he visits. Eventually, Mick and Katie get married, but things don't improve with the mother, who now complains about Johnny sitting in the draft whenever Mick comes to visit. The song is delivered with an upbeat rhythm and catchy melody that makes it a toe-tapping and enjoyable sing-along.
Line by Line Meaning
Me name is Mick Maguire and I'll quickly tell to you
I am known as Mick Maguire, and I would like to share with you my story
Of a young girl I admired one Katie Donoghue
I was fond of a young girl called Katie Donoghue
She was fair and fat and forty and believe me when I say
Katie was a pleasant, healthy, and mature woman, and I am not lying
Whenever I'd come in at the door you could hear her mother say
Upon my arrival, Katie's mother would call out telling someone to move from their seat.
Johnny get up from the fire get up and give your man a seat
His son Johnny would be asked to leave his seat by the fire and make room for me
Can't you see it's Mick Maguire and he's courtin' your sister Kate
Johnny was reminded that I was courting his sister Kate
You know very well he owns a farm a wee bit out of the town
Johnny was well aware that I owned a farm just outside of town
Ah get out of that ya impudent brat and let Mister Maguire sit down
Johnny was dismissed as an impolite child, and I was asked to take his seat
Well the first time I met her was at a dance in Donnahadee
I met Katie for the first time at a dance in Donnahadee
I very kindly ask her would she dance a step with me
I politely asked Katie if she would dance with me
I asked if I could see her home if she'd be going my way
I inquired if Katie would like me to escort her home if we were heading in the same direction
But whenever I'd come in at the door you could hear the ould one say
Every time I arrived at Katie's house, I could hear her mother call out to someone
But now that we are married her mammy's changed her mind
Since Katie and I got married, her mother's attitude has changed
Just because I spent the money that me daddy left behind
Her mother's change of heart is because I spent the inheritance from my father
Now she hasn't got the decency to me time of the day
Her mother won't even acknowledge me when I enter the house
Johnny come up to the fire come you're sitting in the draft
Nowadays, her mother tells Johnny to come to the fire and sit away from the draft
Can't you see it's ould Maguire and he nearly drives me daft
Her mother claims that I almost drive her crazy
Sure I don't know what gets in him and he's always on the tear
Her mother doesn't understand why I am always excited
So sit where you are and never you dare, give ould Maguire the chair
Johnny is directed to remain seated, and I am not even given a chance to take a seat
Contributed by Jason A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ian Burt
on Bluenose
You have missed out a verse.