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.
Maggie
The Irish Rovers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Irish Rovers' version)
Chorus:
Oh, Maggie, Maggie Mae, they have taken you away
And you'll never walk down Lang Street anymore
You robbed so many sailors, and the captains of the whalers
You're a dirty, rotten, no good, Maggie Mae
Gather round ye sailor boys and listen to my plea
When you hear tale I know you'll pity me
For I was a bloody fool, in the port of Liverpool
The first time that I came home from the sea
Chorus
Oh, Maggie, Maggie Mae, they have taken you away
And you'll never walk down Lang Street anymore
You robbed so many sailors, and the captains of the whalers
You're a dirty, rotten, no good, Maggie Mae
I never will forget, the night when first we met
I was walking down along old Kenning Place
When a figure so divine, like a frigate on the line
The kind of girl a sailor likes to chase
Chorus
Oh, Maggie, Maggie Mae, they have taken you away
And you'll never walk down Lang Street anymore
You robbed so many sailors, and the captains of the whalers
You're a dirty, rotten, no good, Maggie Mae
Well, I woke up in me bed, with a thundering in me head
All my clothes and me money stole away
And as I walked along the street, all the ladies I did meet
Said, "You'll find them down in pawn shop number nine."
Chorus
Oh, Maggie, Maggie Mae, they have taken you away
And you'll never walk down Lang Street anymore
You robbed so many sailors, and the captains of the whalers
You're a dirty, rotten, no good, Maggie Mae
Chorus
Oh, Maggie, Maggie Mae, they have taken you away
And you'll never walk down Lang Street anymore
You robbed so many sailors, and the captains of the whalers
You're a dirty, rotten, no good, Maggie Mae
The Irish Rovers' rendition of "Maggie Mae" is a classic folk tune about a woman named Maggie who is known for robbing sailors and captains of their whalers. The song is written from the perspective of a sailor who fell in love with Maggie, only to have her steal his clothes and money when he wakes up in Liverpool. This is a story of a sailor's heartache and Maggie's infamous reputation in Liverpool.
The first verse sets the scene with the sailor addressing his fellow sailors and admitting that he was a fool for falling in love with Maggie. He asks for their pity and understanding as he tells the rest of the story. The second verse describes how he met Maggie and compares her to a ship due to her graceful, enticing nature. The sailor then wakes up having been robbed and left with nothing, except the memory of Maggie Mae.
The chorus of the song repeats throughout and is a reflection of Maggie's fate. She has been taken away from Lang Street and can never walk down it anymore. The chorus also provides listeners with insight into Maggie's reputation as a thief and a "dirty, rotten, no good" woman. The song is a cautionary tale where sailors are warned about Maggie Mae's thievery and advised to avoid her.
Overall, "Maggie Mae" is a classic folk song with a catchy tune and a story that many can relate to. It is a song that has been covered by numerous artists and has become a staple in the folk genre.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, Maggie, Maggie Mae, they have taken you away
Maggie Mae has been taken away and will never walk down Lang Street again
And you'll never walk down Lang Street anymore
Maggie Mae won't walk down Lang Street anymore
You robbed so many sailors, and the captains of the whalers
Maggie Mae stole from many sailors and captains of the whalers
You're a dirty, rotten, no good, Maggie Mae
Maggie Mae is described as being a bad person
Gather round ye sailor boys and listen to my plea
The artist is asking sailors to listen to his story
When you hear tale I know you'll pity me
The singer thinks that when they hear his story, the sailors will feel bad for him
For I was a bloody fool, in the port of Liverpool
The singer admits to being foolish in the port of Liverpool
I never will forget, the night when first we met
The artist remembers the night when he first met Maggie Mae
I was walking down along old Kenning Place
The artist was walking along old Kenning Place
When a figure so divine, like a frigate on the line
The artist describes Maggie Mae as a beautiful woman
The kind of girl a sailor likes to chase
The singer thinks that Maggie Mae is the kind of girl that a sailor likes to chase
Well, I woke up in me bed, with a thundering in me head
The artist woke up in his bed with a headache
All my clothes and me money stole away
Maggie Mae stole the singer's clothes and money
And as I walked along the street, all the ladies I did meet
As the singer walked along the street, he met many ladies
Said, "You'll find them down in pawn shop number nine."
The ladies told the singer to look for his stolen items at pawn shop number nine
Contributed by Sydney T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
sprigmom1
I sooo seriously miss Jimmy! He was a great guy; always made me laugh and he was so funny in person. I remember going backstage after the yearly shows in Flint MI. My dad had a big round tum just like Jim and we had a good laugh when Jimmy started comparing the two! ;) Thank you for posting this. It's always nice to hear him slow it down and be serious once in a while. Hope you're still singing up there, Jim!
Dennnis The Great
I have a similar memory in Syracuse NY on the 25th anniversary I left my fiancée behind to make the show and they wrote a special note to her of apology , it did not have the effect Id hoped for but my daughter has it framed in her home today . he and Wil were a class act. MAY THE ROAD RISE
Allan Clarke
I miss Jimmy... his smile and laughter were infectious! What a great presence and voice!
James Gibbs
There can't be a better version of this song.
James Oldman
Love this version. Jimmy Ferguson had a great voice.
Keith Hanley
I'll always love you, Jim - you were my role model, my imaginary best friend, my pretend big brother. Thank you for the music, the laughs, the memories. Maybe I'll finally get to meet you when I leave this world behind - until then, RIP, big guy.
james boyer
When people ask us why we named our daughter "Maggie", I suggest they listen to this song! A superb rendition by Jimmy Ferguson, who definitively left us too soon!
Warren D
Jim is awesome. Brings back so many memories. Makes me proud to be Irish!
Greg Kyhn
This is a beautiful song. I honestly don't think I've ever heard it before I saw this video and I have several of the Rover's CD's. Jimmy had such a beautiful voice and a great sense of humor, I still miss him.
KMR
Thank you for posting. Jimmy was always my "favorite" rover, but then they were *all* favorites!! Loved his voice and sense of humor, too...especially the banter live in concerts!!