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.
Merry Bloody Xmas
The Irish Rovers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Drinking Molson X
and on the way home
I got three reX
I woke up this morning
Took 2 summon-x
That wife and mine
She's now my "x"
Well, I got myself evicted
From my duplex
Moved into a half-ton van, and then "X"
Fresh full of beer
My ole' dog reX
At least I got another wife
She's now my "X"
Chorus:
Merry Xmas, to me
The dog threw up all over the xmas tree
They re-posessed
My color TV
Merry Xmas, to me
My car's off the road
We're having D-fleX
I said to myself, "Geesh what next"
My wife dropped in
For "Alimony Checks"
So I threw her in the lake
Now she's my, wet X
(Chorus)
So I sat there drinking
All my Molson X
Shook in the empties
My ole' dog Rex
Stupid bloody mutt
Stuck his head in the moto-X
You guessed it
He's now my X, Rex
The Irish Rovers's song "Merry Bloody Xmas" is a comical take on the holiday season that highlights the negative experiences of the singer throughout the year. The lyrics depict a bleak and hopeless existence filled with alcoholism, evictions, car issues, and failed marriages. The singer talks about drinking Molson X and getting three "reX" on his way home, which could indicate that he got arrested or pulled over by the police for driving under the influence. The mention of taking "Summon-x" might suggest that the singer is under medication for some problem that he's facing.
The song's chorus of "Merry Xmas, to me" is a sarcastic and bitter spin on the phrase "Merry Christmas" that suggests the opposite of joy and happiness. The singer complains about his dog defecating on the Christmas tree, his TV being repossessed, and his wife coming for alimony checks. In a fit of rage, he throws his wife into the lake, which seals the deal on their divorce, and now she's his "wet X." In the end, the singer is left drinking beer, surrounded by empty bottles, and with his dog Rex no longer by his side.
Overall, "Merry Bloody Xmas" is a tongue-in-cheek holiday tune that pokes fun at the misfortunes and disappointments of life. It's a song that shows us that even during tough times, we can still find humor and laughter in our struggles.
Line by Line Meaning
I had a big night last night
I got drunk last night
Drinking Molson X
I was drinking Molson Canadian beer
and on the way home
while going back home
I got three reX
I got three speeding tickets
I woke up this morning
I woke up today
Took 2 summon-x
I took two hangover pills
That wife and mine
And as for my wife
She's now my "x"
We are now separated and I consider her my ex-wife
Well, I got myself evicted
I was kicked out of my place
From my duplex
From my two-family house
Moved into a half-ton van, and then "X"
Moved into a truck/van and started using drugs
Fresh full of beer
With a fresh beer supply
My ole' dog reX
My old dog named Rex
At least I got another wife
At least I found someone new to marry
She's now my "X"
My new wife is now my ex-wife
Chorus: Merry Xmas, to me
I wish myself a merry Christmas filled with sarcasm and irony
The dog threw up all over the xmas tree
My dog vomited on the Christmas tree
They re-posessed
They took back
My color TV
My colored television
My car's off the road
My car is not working
We're having D-fleX
We are having some difficulties
I said to myself, "Geesh what next"
I wondered 'what could possibly happen next'
My wife dropped in
My ex-wife came by
For "Alimony Checks"
To collect alimony payments
So I threw her in the lake
I threw her into the water/river/lake
Now she's my, wet X
Now she's my ex-wife who is wet from being thrown into the water/river/lake
So I sat there drinking
I sat there drinking
All my Molson X
All my Molson Canadian beer
Shook in the empties
Collection of empty beer bottles shook
My ole' dog Rex
My old dog named Rex
Stupid bloody mutt
Insult to my dog
Stuck his head in the moto-X
Stuck his head in the motorbike exhaust
You guessed it
As you already know
He's now my X, Rex
My dog Rex is now my ex-dog
Contributed by Hudson K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@TheIrishRovers
I ah, had a big night last night
Drinking Molson Ex
And on the way home
I had two wrecks
I woke up this morning
Took two Sominex
And that wife of mine
She's now my ex.
Well I got myself evicted
From my duplex
Moved into a half ton van
With an annex
Fridge full of beer
With my old dog Rex
But at least I'm done with the wife
She's now my ex
Merry Xmas to me
My dog threw up all over the Xmas tree
They repossessed my colour TV
Merry bloody Xmas to me
My car's off the road
For having defects
I said to myself, "Geesh what next"
My wife dropped in
For "Alimony Checks"
So I threw her in the lake
Now she's my, wet ex
Merry Xmas to me
My dog threw up all over the Xmas tree
They repossessed my colour TV
Merry bloody Xmas to me
So I sat there drinking
All my Molson Ex
Chucking all my empties
My ole' dog Rex
Stupid bloody mutt
Stuck his head in the Moulinex
You guessed it
He's now my ex-Rex
Merry Xmas to me
My dog threw up all over the Xmas tree
They repossessed my colour TV
Merry bloody Xmas to me
Merry Xmas to me
My dog threw up all over the Xmas tree
They repossessed my colour TV
Merry bloody Xmas to me
Merry Xmas to me
My dog threw up all over the Xmas tree
They repossessed my colour TV
Merry bloody Xmas to me
@heathershuler3774
Literally the best Christmas Canadian song ever. My grandma loved this song ♥️♥️
@greghuether
so many childhood memories with the irish rovers
@TheIrishRovers
I ah, had a big night last night
Drinking Molson Ex
And on the way home
I had two wrecks
I woke up this morning
Took two Sominex
And that wife of mine
She's now my ex.
Well I got myself evicted
From my duplex
Moved into a half ton van
With an annex
Fridge full of beer
With my old dog Rex
But at least I'm done with the wife
She's now my ex
Merry Xmas to me
My dog threw up all over the Xmas tree
They repossessed my colour TV
Merry bloody Xmas to me
My car's off the road
For having defects
I said to myself, "Geesh what next"
My wife dropped in
For "Alimony Checks"
So I threw her in the lake
Now she's my, wet ex
Merry Xmas to me
My dog threw up all over the Xmas tree
They repossessed my colour TV
Merry bloody Xmas to me
So I sat there drinking
All my Molson Ex
Chucking all my empties
My ole' dog Rex
Stupid bloody mutt
Stuck his head in the Moulinex
You guessed it
He's now my ex-Rex
Merry Xmas to me
My dog threw up all over the Xmas tree
They repossessed my colour TV
Merry bloody Xmas to me
Merry Xmas to me
My dog threw up all over the Xmas tree
They repossessed my colour TV
Merry bloody Xmas to me
Merry Xmas to me
My dog threw up all over the Xmas tree
They repossessed my colour TV
Merry bloody Xmas to me
@RIPIZZY
Timeless
@MrEthanhines
Totally my current mood right now
@hirdy6
Thanks for sharing and Merry Christmas to you!
@bradabernethy4234
Too funny!
@dimmertwin
co-written by my childhood friend Mick Hamilton...check out our version as The Dimmer Twins from the album "True Blue Aussie Christmas" clip right here on YT
@heathershuler3774
I’ve been listening to this since I was a kid. Love it always. My grandma loved the Irish Rovers. So they’ve a special place in my heart ♥️
@hirdy6
Brilliant!