A popular and long-running Canadian-Irish folk group that saw their beginni… Read Full Bio ↴A popular and long-running Canadian-Irish folk group that saw their beginning in the 1960s, The Irish Rovers are particularly well-known for their hit recording of Shel Silverstein's "The Unicorn," although a great many more of their characteristically happy and oft-comical songs remain well-known to this day. In 2010, the band celebrated 45 years as recording artists, with their latest CD, "Gracehill Fair" and filming the DVD/television special "Home in Ireland", shot entirely on-location, throughout the northwest coast of Ireland. George Millar says, “It’s basically The Irish Rovers ‘Coming Home’ because this is our home, for all of us. We want to show the world what the northwest Irish coast is like. I’ve traveled the world now for over 40 years and there’s nothing like it.”

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.

New York Girls
The Irish Rovers Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

As I walked down the Broadway, one morning in July
a met a maid, she asked my trade, a sailor John said I

CHORUS
and away you santy, my dear Annie
Oh you New York girls, can't ye dance the polka?

to Tiffany's I took her, I did not mind expense

I bought her two gold earrings, they cost me fifteen cents CHORUS

She said you Limejuice Sailor, now walk me home you may
when we got to her cottage door she this to me did day CHORUS

I kissed her hard and proper before her flashman came
goodbye you little New York Girl, I know your little game CHORUS

I joined a Yankee bloodboat we sail in early morn
I'll never court a maid again, I'm safer off Cape Horn CHORUS

So I wrapped my glad rags 'round me and to the docks did steer
goodbye you little New York gals, I'll stick with rum and beer CHORUS

Overall Meaning

The Irish Rovers's song New York Girls is a traditional song about a sailor who meets and falls for a young lady while wandering down Broadway one morning in July. The sailor meets the lady and she asks him about his trade to which he responds that he is a sailor. The song takes on a playful and flirtatious tone, as the sailor takes the young lady he meets to Tiffany's, where he buys her two gold earrings, which only cost him fifteen cents, and they continue to flirt and tease each other throughout the song.

The young lady invites the sailor back to her cottage/home, and the two share a kiss before the young lady's "flashman," or boyfriend, comes to see what is going on. The sailor knows that he cannot stay, and decides to leave town and never court another maid again, stating that he is safer off Cape Horn. The song is playful and humorous in tone, and though it is a love story of sorts, it ultimately ends with the sailor choosing to prioritize his life at sea over love affairs.

Line by Line Meaning

As I walked down the Broadway, one morning in July
On a July morning, I took a stroll down Broadway

a met a maid, she asked my trade, a sailor John said I
I met a young woman who inquired about my profession, to which I replied 'I am a sailor named John'

and away you santy, my dear Annie
And so we go, my dear Annie

Oh you New York girls, can't ye dance the polka?
Oh you girls from New York, can you not dance the polka?

to Tiffany's I took her, I did not mind expense
I brought her along to Tiffany's without caring about the cost

I bought her two gold earrings, they cost me fifteen cents
I purchased two gold earrings for her, which only cost me fifteen cents

She said you Limejuice Sailor, now walk me home you may
She asked if I, a sailor from Limejuice, would accompany her home

when we got to her cottage door she this to me did day
Upon reaching her cottage, she said this to me

I kissed her hard and proper before her flashman came
I kissed her firmly before her bodyguard arrived

goodbye you little New York Girl, I know your little game
Farewell to you, little New York girl. I am aware of your schemes

I joined a Yankee bloodboat we sail in early morn
I joined a Yankee vessel and set sail early in the morning

I'll never court a maid again, I'm safer off Cape Horn
I will never pursue another woman again. It is safer for me near Cape Horn

So I wrapped my glad rags 'round me and to the docks did steer
I put on my best clothes and headed towards the docks

goodbye you little New York gals, I'll stick with rum and beer
Farewell to all you little New York girls. I will be content with drinking rum and beer

Contributed by Connor V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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