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.
Lewis Bridal Song
The Irish Rovers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Arm in arm and row on row all for Mairi's wedding
Over hillways up and down myrtle green and bracken brown
Past the sheiling through the town all for sake of Mairi
Step we gaily on we go heel for heel and toe for toe
Arm in arm and row on row all for Mairi's wedding
Cheeks as bright as rowans are brighter far than any star
Fairest of them all by far is my darling Mairi
Step we gaily on we go heel for heel and toe for toe
Arm in arm and row on row all for Mairi's wedding
Plenty herring plenty meal plenty peat to fill her creel
Plenty bonny bairns as weel that's our toast to Mairi
Step we gaily on we go heel for heel and toe for toe
Arm in arm and row on row all for Mairi's wedding
The song "Lewis Bridal Song" by The Irish Rovers is a traditional Scottish folk song that tells the story of a joyful wedding procession for a woman named Mairi. The lyrics emphasize the unity and merriment of the procession, as everyone steps "gaily" heel for heel and toe for toe while linking arms and moving in rows. The verses describe the landscape that the procession moves through, including hillways, myrtle greens, bracken browns, and sheilings. Despite the scenery, the main focus remains on the happiness of the participants as they celebrate Mairi's special day.
In addition to the scenery, the song describes Mairi's beauty and the abundance of resources available to the couple, including herring, meal, peat, and children. The song ends with a final verse about raising a toast to Mairi and her upcoming marriage. Overall, the song is a joyous expression of the happiness that comes with sharing in a celebration of life, love, and community.
Line by Line Meaning
Step we gaily on we go heel for heel and toe for toe
We joyfully move forward together, matching each other step for step.
Arm in arm and row on row all for Mairi's wedding
We are linked together in unity, marching in line for the sake of Mairi's wedding.
Over hillways up and down myrtle green and bracken brown
We journey across varying landscapes, from green myrtle hills to brown bracken hills.
Past the sheiling through the town all for sake of Mairi
We pass by both rural and urban areas, all for the purpose of celebrating Mairi's wedding.
Cheeks as bright as rowans are brighter far than any star
Mairi's cheeks are so radiant that they outshine even the brightest stars.
Fairest of them all by far is my darling Mairi
Among all others, Mairi is the fairest and most beloved of all.
Plenty herring plenty meal plenty peat to fill her creel
There is an abundance of food and fuel to fill Mairi's basket.
Plenty bonny bairns as weel that's our toast to Mairi
We also wish for Mairi to have plenty of beautiful, healthy children. Here's to Mairi!
Lyrics © DistroKid, ANTRIM MUSIC PUBLISHING, LTD.
Written by: Traditional Traditional
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ian Burt
on Bluenose
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