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.
Orange And Green
The Irish Rovers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My father he was orange and my mother she was green
Oh my father was an Ulsterman, proud Protestant was he
My mother was a Catholic girl, from County Cork was she
They were married in two churches, lived happily enough
Until the day that I was born and things got rather tough
My father he was orange and my mother she was green
Baptised by father Reilly, I was rushed away by car
To be made a little orangeman, my father's shining star
I was christened David Anthony, but still in spite of that
To my father I was William while my mother called me Pat
Oh it is the biggest mix-up that you have ever seen
My father he was orange and my mother she was green
With mother every Sunday to mass I'd proudly stroll
Then after that the orange lads would try to save my soul
For both sides tried to claim me, but I was smart because
I played the flute or played the harp, depending where I was
Oh it is the biggest mix-up that you have ever seen
My father he was orange and my mother she was green
One day my ma's relations came round to visit me
Just as my father's kinfolk were all sittin' down to tea
We tried to smooth things over, but they all began to fight
And me being strictly neutral, I bashed everyone in sight
Oh it is the biggest mix-up that you have ever seen
My father he was orange and my mother she was green
Now my parents never could agree about my type of school
My learning was all done at home, that's why I'm such a fool
They both passed on, god rest them, but left me caught between
That awful color problem of the orange and the green
Oh it is the biggest mix-up that you have ever seen
My father he was orange and my mother she was green
Yes it is the biggest mix-up that you have ever seen
My father he was orange and my mother she was green
The Irish Rovers’s song Orange And Green talks about a child who is a product of a mixed marriage; his father was Protestant and wore an Orange badge, while his mother was Catholic and wore a green badge. The song takes a humorous approach to the situation, highlighting the comical and confusing situations that arise as a result of growing up with opposing religious beliefs. The child, named David Anthony, becomes caught in the middle of the conflict and is pulled in both directions, represented by the varying musical instruments that are played at Church services.
The song opens with the lyrics “Oh it is the biggest mix-up that you have ever seen, my father he was orange and my mother she was green.” This line sets the stage for the rest of the song and is a clear statement of the conflict that the child is faced with. The subsequent verses go on to describe the child’s upbringing, including his baptism and naming. The child is given two different names, William and Pat, to appease both sides of the family. The song also addresses the confusion surrounding the child’s religious upbringing, with his weekly routine consisting of attending mass with his mother and being visited by Orange lads trying to recruit him.
The song’s chorus repeats the opening line, emphasizing the central theme of the conflict between the two opposing beliefs. The final verse brings the song to a close, with the child left caught in the middle of his parents’ dispute. The song ultimately highlights the absurdity of the conflict, presenting it in a lighthearted and humorous way.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh it is the biggest mix-up that you have ever seen
The singer talks about the biggest confusion that occurred because of his parents' different religious affiliations
My father he was orange and my mother she was green
The singer's father was a staunch Protestant from Ulster and his mother was a devout Catholic from County Cork
Oh my father was an Ulsterman, proud Protestant was he
The singer's father was a proud Protestant from Ulster
My mother was a Catholic girl, from County Cork was she
The artist's mother was a devout Catholic from County Cork
They were married in two churches, lived happily enough
The artist's parents were married in both a Protestant and a Catholic church and lived a happy life until the artist was born
Until the day that I was born and things got rather tough
The singer was born, which led to conflicts between his parents' religious beliefs
Baptised by father Reilly, I was rushed away by car
The singer was baptized by a Catholic priest, Father Reilly, and quickly taken away by car to be raised as an Orangeman by his father
To be made a little orangeman, my father's shining star
The artist's father wanted him to be raised in the Orange tradition and become an Orangeman like himself
I was christened David Anthony, but still in spite of that
The artist was given the name David Anthony at birth, but his father called him William and his mother called him Pat, causing further confusion
To my father I was William while my mother called me Pat
The artist was given different names by his parents, depending on their religious affiliations
With mother every Sunday to mass I'd proudly stroll
The singer accompanied his Catholic mother to mass every Sunday
Then after that the orange lads would try to save my soul
After attending mass, the artist would be visited by members of the Orange Order who tried to convert him to their Protestant beliefs
For both sides tried to claim me, but I was smart because
Both sides attempted to convert the singer, but he played a musical instrument depending on the group he was with so as to not offend anyone
I played the flute or played the harp, depending where I was
The singer played the flute or harp depending on whether he was with his Catholic or Protestant relatives
One day my ma's relations came round to visit me
One day, the singer's Catholic relatives came to visit him
Just as my father's kinfolk were all sittin' down to tea
The visit coincided with the artist's Protestant relatives having tea with him
We tried to smooth things over, but they all began to fight
An argument broke out between the two families despite attempts to resolve any conflicts
And me being strictly neutral, I bashed everyone in sight
The singer, who was trying to stay neutral, ended up hitting everyone around him in frustration
Now my parents never could agree about my type of school
The singer's parents never agreed on his education
My learning was all done at home, that's why I'm such a fool
The artist's education was only done at home and he feels that this is why he lacks knowledge
They both passed on, god rest them, but left me caught between
Despite their differences, the artist's parents passed away and left him caught between the two religions
That awful color problem of the orange and the green
The artist reflects on the ongoing conflict between the Orange and Green traditions in Ireland
Yes it is the biggest mix-up that you have ever seen
The singer concludes that his life and upbringing were a complex mix-up and a reflection of the religious conflict in Ireland
Contributed by Liam M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@mbbenfield
In 1967, my parents owned the Irish Rovers album. My mother explained to me what this song meant, I was 13 at the time. Now, as I listen to it with mature ears, I delight in the lyrics and humor of this song. I so wish I could have seen these adorable men perform in person.
@pamfeinstein8742
Have you ever heard the song with the same music but slower tempo, The Wearin' of the Green? Give it a listen.
@Scriptorsilentum
from 6 to 12 i remember the Irish Rovers/The Rovers on their weekly tv show. it was always watched. This song brought laughter to our house more than once.
@vwgolf1991
I had the same experience in maybe 1980 or so. Even as far as Canada we couldn't escape news of the troubles on the news, and at least for us, the implication that there was a clear "good" side, Rue Britania and God Save the Queen! and a "bad and evil" side...those bloody Fenian IRA terrorist bastards.
@kathleenmckenzie6261
@@pamfeinstein8742 The melody was first heard in the Irish rebel song The Rising of the Moon in 1798. It is, as you mention, the melody for Wearing of the Green and during the American civil war, the Confederacy wrote lyrics for The Wearing of the Gray.
My Great-grandpa was Irish, Great-grandma a Scot, and Grandpa said this song described their marriage.
@Diarmid63
It is amazing how much humor and emotion these guys could and can show just in their facial expressions and the tone of their voices and their phrasing. It makes it more than a simple song. It makes it a total experience.
@tonyjlorns1727
The Irish have this enigmatic quality
@blairdawson9506
M
@hughbannon3592
Irish songs always soothes my mind and lifts any depressed feelings . To my Dad Hugh and his brother my Godfather Jack . We are Bannons ! God bless Jimmy Ferguson
@caseyr1434
Yes, I agree.