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 Lower Lights Be Burning
The Irish Rovers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
From His lighthouse evermore,
But to us He gives the keeping
Of the lights along the shore.
Let the lower lights be burning!
Send a gleam across the wave!
Some poor *struggling, fainting seaman
Dark the night of sin has settled,
Loud the angry billows roar;
Eager eyes are watching, longing,
For the lights along the shore.
Let the lower lights be burning!
Send a gleam across the wave!
Some poor *struggling, fainting seaman
You may rescue, you may save.
Trim your feeble lamp, my brother;
Some poor sailor, tempest-tossed,
Trying now to make the harbor,
In the darkness may be lost.
Let the lower lights be burning!
Send a gleam across the wave!
Some poor *struggling, fainting seaman
You may rescue, you may save.
Let the lower lights be burning!
Send a gleam across the wave!
Some poor *struggling, fainting seaman
You may rescue, you may save.
The Irish Rovers's song "Let the Lower Lights Be Burning" is a call to action for those who have been entrusted with the task of guiding seafarers safely to harbor. The song likens God's mercy to a lighthouse which is constantly shining, leading the way for ships that are lost. However, the responsibility of lighting the way for ships as they approach the coastline is given to us as individuals. The song stresses the importance of burning these lower lights to help guide seafarers to safety.
The lyrics of "Let the Lower Lights Be Burning" also acknowledge the danger and unpredictability of the sea. The "night of sin" represents this danger, while the "angry billows" represent the rough and turbulent sea waves. Despite these challenges, the song implores individuals to continue to burn their "feeble lamps" so that even one disorientated sailor may be saved from the dangerous ocean.
Overall, the song is a message of hope and responsibility. It reminds us that even small actions, like lighting a lamp, can have a significant impact on someone else's life. The song urges us to look beyond ourselves and take on this responsibility to help those in need.
Line by Line Meaning
Brightly beams our Father’s mercy,
Our Father's mercy shines down brightly like a beam from a lighthouse.
From His lighthouse evermore,
This mercy always radiates from His lighthouse.
But to us He gives the keeping
We are entrusted with the job of keeping the lights shining.
Of the lights along the shore.
The lights on the shore are integral to helping seafarers navigate safely.
Let the lower lights be burning!
Ensure the lights on the shore are always shining.
Send a gleam across the wave!
Create a beam of light that sailors can see from afar.
Some poor *struggling, fainting seaman
A sailor who is having a difficult time navigating the seas.
You may rescue, you may save.
By keeping the lights shining, you may be able to save a sailor in danger.
Dark the night of sin has settled,
The darkness of sin has enveloped the world.
Loud the angry billows roar;
The sea is rough and dangerous, with waves thrashing about.
Eager eyes are watching, longing,
Sailors are looking for the guiding lights to guide them safely to shore.
For the lights along the shore.
The lights on the shore are crucial for helping sailors find their way.
Trim your feeble lamp, my brother;
Make sure your light is as bright as possible, even if it feels small and insignificant.
Some poor sailor, tempest-tossed,
A sailor who is weathering a particularly violent storm.
Trying now to make the harbor,
They are seeking safety and refuge in the harbor.
In the darkness may be lost.
Without the guiding lights of the shore, they may become lost and in danger.
Contributed by Skyler W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ian Burt
on Bluenose
You have missed out a verse.