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.
Oh You Mucky Kid
The Irish Rovers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dirty as a dustbin lid
When he hears the things that you did
You'll get a belt from your da
Verse 1:
You really have your old man's nose
How crimson in the dark it glows
You'll get a belt from your da
Verse 2:
You look so scruffy lying there
Strawberry jam all through your hair
In all the world you haven't a care
And your mammy's got so many
CHORUS
Verse 3:
'Though you have no silver sppon
Better days are coming soon
Your sister's working at the mill
And she gets her pay on Friday
Verse 4:
Perhaps someday we'll make a splash
If the Irish Sweeps provide the cash
We'll have a house that's oh, so posh
And we'll buy your da a brewery
CHORUS
Verse 5:
You really have your old man's face
You're growing up a real hard case
But no one else can take your place
So go to sleep for mammy
The Irish Rovers's "Oh You Mucky Kid" is a humorous and satirical song that presents a stern father figure's perspective on his mischievous child. The song employs vivid imagery to convey the child's dirtiness, messy appearance, and carefree attitude. The father predicts that once he learns about the child's antics, he will discipline him with a belt, reinforcing the stereotype of Irish parents using corporal punishment to discipline their children.
The song also presents a commentary on the social and economic conditions in Ireland during the mid-twentieth century. The lyrics suggest that the family struggles financially and cannot afford basic luxuries such as a "silver spoon." The mother is portrayed as working in a mill, emphasizing the limited opportunities available for women in Ireland at the time. The father's aspiration of owning a brewery further highlights the desire for upward mobility and economic stability.
Overall, "Oh You Mucky Kid" is a lighthearted and comical song that reflects the Irish Rovers' traditional style of music. The contrasting themes of poverty and aspiration, coupled with the humorous observations of a father towards his child, make the song both entertaining and insightful.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, you are a mucky kid
You are a dirty child
Dirty as a dustbin lid
As dirty as a trash can lid
When he hears the things that you did
Your father will punish you when he hears of your mischief
You'll get a belt from your da
Your father will hit you as a form of punishment
You really have your old man's nose
Your nose looks like your father's
How crimson in the dark it glows
It looks red in the dark
If you're not asleep when the boozers close
If you're not asleep by the time the bar closes
You'll get a belt from your da
Your father will hit you as a form of punishment
You look so scruffy lying there
You look messy while lying down
Strawberry jam all through your hair
Your hair is messy and has jam stuck in it
In all the world you haven't a care
You don't have any worries in the world
And your mammy's got so many
But your mother has a lot of worries
Though you have no silver spoon
Although you were not born with a privileged lifestyle
Better days are coming soon
Things will get better in the future
Your sister's working at the mill
Your sister has a job at the mill
And she gets her pay on Friday
And she gets paid on Fridays
Perhaps someday we'll make a splash
Maybe one day we will become successful
If the Irish Sweeps provide the cash
If we win the Irish Sweepstakes
We'll have a house that's oh, so posh
We will have a very luxurious house
And we'll buy your da a brewery
And we will buy your father a brewery
Though your mother's heart is breaking
Even though your mother is very sad
She'll go dancing with her own handsome Paddy
She will go dancing with her handsome husband
And you'll be lonely, too
And you will be lonely as well
And you'll be lonely, too
And you will be lonely as well
Oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh
Oh, you are a mucky kid
You are a dirty child
Contributed by Sarah I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Guy Lachance
J'adore...
Tony Pashley
Nice little child abuse song that.
Mike Browne
Life was a lot different and tougher over 100 years ago.