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 the Good Guys Win
The Irish Rovers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Not what I deserve
May the coming year not throw a single curve
May I hurt nobody
May I tell no lies
If I can't go on give me strength to try
Bring the old year out
Bring us all good luck
Let the good guys win (x2)
May the one you love
Be the one you get
May you get some place you haven't been to yet
And may your friends around you
Never do you wrong
May your eyes be clear
And may your heart be strong
Bring the old year out
Bring the new year in
Bring us all good luck
Let the good guys win (x2)
May the times to come
Be the best you've had
May peace rule the world
Let it make us glad
When you see something wrong
Try and make it right
Pull your shadowed world
Into the bright sunlight
Bring the old year out
Bring the new year in
Bring us all good luck
Let the good guys win (x2)
Let the good guys win
Let the good guys win
Let the good guys win
The Irish Rovers's song "Let the Good Guys Win" is an upbeat and optimistic tune that embodies the spirit of hope and positivity for the future. The lyrics express the singer's desires for the coming year, which include not receiving what they deserve, but rather getting what they want, and for the year to not throw any unexpected obstacles their way. The singer also wishes to not hurt anyone or tell lies, and asks for the strength to continue on even when things get tough.
The next verse focuses on the singer's hopes for the listener, that they will be with the one they love, go to new and exciting places, and surround themselves with good friends who won't do them wrong. The singer also wishes for the listener's clear eyes and strong heart. The final verse encourages the listener to make the world a better place by trying to right wrongs when they see them and bringing positivity and light into a shadowed world. The chorus repeats the title of the song, "Let the good guys win," thus emphasizing the overall message and tone of hope and positivity.
Line by Line Meaning
May I get what I want
I hope I will receive my desired outcome
Not what I deserve
I don't expect to be rewarded according to what I have done in the past
May the coming year not throw a single curve
I hope the upcoming year will not present any unexpected challenges
May I hurt nobody
I hope I won't cause anyone any harm
May I tell no lies
I hope I won't deceive anyone with false information
If I can't go on give me strength to try
If I am unable to continue, I hope to have the strength to keep attempting
Bring the old year out
Let the previous year end
Bring the new year in
Let the new year begin
Bring us all good luck
I hope everyone experiences a fortunate year
Let the good guys win (x2)
I hope those who do good will be victorious
May the one you love
I hope the person you care about
Be the one you get
Will be the one you end up with
May you get some place you haven't been to yet
I hope you get to explore new places
And may your friends around you
I hope your companions
Never do you wrong
Don't cause you any harm
May your eyes be clear
I hope your vision is sharp and unobstructed
And may your heart be strong
I hope you maintain emotional and mental fortitude
May the times to come
I hope the future
Be the best you've had
Will consist of the best experiences you have ever had
May peace rule the world
I hope the world is governed by peace and harmony
Let it make us glad
And let it bring us happiness
When you see something wrong
When you identify something unjust
Try and make it right
Attempt to correct the situation
Pull your shadowed world
Embrace the dark aspects of yourself
Into the bright sunlight
And expose them to the light in order to grow and transform
Contributed by Charlie R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@piman25
Wow. What a great song, what a great line up. I never knew this existed. Thanks for posting.
@1r1sh52
Oh, thanks for posting this! It is one of the all-time greats and played so seldom.
@mhicnanolc
I always think of this song at this time of year and it's fairly hard to find. Thanks for posting it!!!
@foxrepair
Great song and video. Yes, Much Music rocked out in the 80's. Play this one every year on new years eve. Good sentiments. Thanks! DaveFox1
@TomNewfie
it reminds me of my teenage years listening to Much music
@ytsolarus
Super. Thanks. I only knew the Toot Sweet version. I think it also makes a good birthday song with just a few changes.
@dexterriley
Terriffic Addition to the lineup. kudos. How bout some Doucette "mama let him play". or Coney Hatch hey operator, Canada produces a shitload of phenomenal tunage. koooorooookoo koo
@markrodgers74
might be against my better judgement to open myself up to this but I have the mp3 if anyone wants it.. just mail me on here with an email address or something. :) lol