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.
Patsy Fagan
The Irish Rovers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
"Hello Patsy Fagan, you're the apple of me eye
You're a decent boy from Ireland, there's no one can deny
You're a rare'm tare'm devil may care, m decent Irish boy"
I'm working here in Glasgow, I've got a decent job
I'm carrying bricks and mortar and the pay is fifteen bob
I rise up in the mornin', I get up with the lark
"Hello Patsy Fagan" you can hear the girls all cry
"Hello Patsy Fagan, you're the apple of me eye
You're a decent boy from Ireland, there's no one can deny
You're a rare'm tare'm devil may care, m decent Irish boy"
Well the day that I left Ireland, 'twas many months ago
I left my home in Ulster where the pigs and praties grow
But since I left old Ireland, it's always been my plan
To let you people see that I'm a decent Irishman
"Hello Patsy Fagan" you can hear the girls all cry
"Hello Patsy Fagan, you're the apple of me eye
You're a decent boy from Ireland, there's no one can deny
You're a rare'm tare'm devil may care, m decent Irish boy"
Now if there's one among you would like to marry me
I'll take you to my little home across the Irish sea
I'll dress you up in satin and do i'll the best I can
And let the people see that I'm a decent Irishman
"Hello Patsy Fagan" you can hear the girls all cry
"Hello Patsy Fagan, you're the apple of me eye
You're a decent boy from Ireland, there's no one can deny
You're a rare'm tare'm devil may care, m decent Irish boy"
The Irish Rovers’ tune, ‘Patsy Fagan’ celebrates the singer, a decent, hard-working Irish boy who has made a life for himself in Glasgow. The upbeat, catchy melody starts off with a chorus of girls calling out ‘Hello Patsy Fagan,’ extolling his virtues and presenting him as the apple of their eye. Through it all, we learn that Patsy is a hard worker, carrying bricks, and rising up with the lark every morning, yet always seeming to have the devil-may-care spirit that defines Irish culture. He left his home province of Ulster many months ago, but hasn't forgotten his roots, always making it clear that he’s a decent Irishman.
The lyrics present a unique take on the classic Irish character, framing him as a hard-working, yet fun-loving young man who has left his home to make a life for himself abroad. ‘Patsy Fagan’ is a celebration of Irish culture and its expatriate spirit. The repetitive chorus, with the girls calling out his name, is infectious, and the verses provide insight into his story, showing us that in the end, he’s just a decent Irish boy who happens to enjoy life.
Line by Line Meaning
Hello Patsy Fagan you can hear the girls all cry
Women are shouting out Patsy Fagan's name in excitement
Hello Patsy Fagan, you're the apple of me eye
Patsy Fagan is someone the singer loves and admires greatly
You're a decent boy from Ireland, there's no one can deny
Patsy Fagan comes from Ireland and is a good person
You're a rare'm tare'm devil may care, m decent Irish boy
Patsy Fagan is a unique and carefree person who is proud of his Irish heritage
I'm working here in Glasgow, I've got a decent job
The artist is currently employed in Glasgow with a satisfactory job
I'm carrying bricks and mortar and the pay is fifteen bob
The singer is doing manual labor and earning fifteen shillings
I rise up in the mornin', I get up with the lark
The singer wakes up early in the morning, like a bird, ready to start the day
And when I'm walking' down the street, you can hear the girls remark
Women on the street are noticing the artist and his popularity with them
Well the day that I left Ireland, 'twas many months ago
Patsy Fagan left Ireland several months back
I left my home in Ulster where the pigs and praties grow
Patsy Fagan departed from Ulster, known for its farms and potatoes
But since I left old Ireland, it's always been my plan
Since Patsy Fagan left Ireland, he has been determined to prove his worth
To let you people see that I'm a decent Irishman
Patsy Fagan wishes to show that he is a good representative of Ireland
Now if there's one among you would like to marry me
Patsy Fagan is open to the idea of marriage
I'll take you to my little home across the Irish sea
Patsy Fagan is offering a potential partner a place to live in Ireland
I'll dress you up in satin and do i'll the best I can
Patsy Fagan will go out of his way to make his partner feel special
And let the people see that I'm a decent Irishman
Through his actions, Patsy Fagan wishes to prove himself as a good representative of Ireland
Writer(s): Thomas Keenen
Contributed by Kennedy L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ian Burt
on Bluenose
You have missed out a verse.