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.

Penny Whistle Peddler
The Irish Rovers Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Chorus:
I hope you meet the peddler with the feather in his hat
The penny whistle man with the orange colored cap
Bells on his coat and a raggle taggle kind of grin
He'll teach you how to love if you believe him

Verse 1:
He never heard of war in the place he dwells

There's music and laughter and magic are the tales they tell
No One's ever nasty, Snakes and dogs don't ever bite
Little children never cry, they're happy day and night

Chrous

Verse 2:
In the misty mystic land beneath dark hills
The Penny whistle peddler lives and there he weaves his magic spells
If you ever heard his piping coming from some forest glade
Open up your mind and love and never be afraid

Chorus

Verse 3:
We are sad to tell you the whistle man has gone
Today you never hear of him, the sound of war and hate have come

But if children love each other narrow minds all pass away
The penny whistle man will be back someday

Overall Meaning

The Irish Rovers's song "Pennywhistle Peddler" is a cheerful and whimsical tune that tells the story of a mystical figure who brings joy and love wherever he goes. The song's dialogue is in the form of a chorus and three verses. In the Chorus, you are greeted with an invitation to meet the peddler with the feather in his hat, who is none other than the penny whistle man with the orange-colored cap. He is described as wearing bells on his coat and has a raggle taggle smile, and he can teach you how to love if you believe him. The penny whistle man is a whimsical figure of mythological proportions, who brings joy and love to all he comes in contact with.

Verse 1 provides insight into the magical land where the penny whistle man dwells - a place free from the usual harshness of the world around us. One of the notable things to bring out here is the contrast between the reality of war and the peaceful world of the penny whistle man, where there is no war, only music, laughter and magic. In the penny whistle man's world, you never encounter nastiness, dogs, or even crying children; instead, his world is characterized by happiness and laughter.

In verse 2, we learn that the penny whistle peddler lives in a mystical land beneath dark hills, and he weaves magic spells that anyone who hears his piping will be filled with love and should never be afraid. This verse characterizes the penny whistle man as a figure of myth and legend, with the ability to transform people's lives and set them free from fear, bringing love and healing in abundant measure. The verse is written in a way that makes the penny whistle man sound like he is far away, bringing magic from afar.

Verse 3 provides a melancholic twist to the story of the penny whistle man, who we learn has gone away, and hate and war have taken his place. Despite the sad news, we are reminded that if children love each other, narrow minds will eventually pass away, and the penny whistle man will return someday. This verse provides a hopeful note that things can change and that we can all work to make the world a more peaceful and loving place.

Line by Line Meaning

Chorus:
Introduction to the chorus of the song

I hope you meet the peddler with the feather in his hat
Wishing the listener meets the Penny Whistle peddler who wears a feather on his hat

The penny whistle man with the orange colored cap
Describing the Penny Whistle peddler's cap to be orange in color

Bells on his coat and a raggle taggle kind of grin
Describing the details of the peddler's coat and his smile

He'll teach you how to love if you believe him
Implying that the peddler has the power to teach people how to love, if they choose to believe him

Verse 1:
Introduction to the first verse of the song

He never heard of war in the place he dwells
Describing the Penny Whistle peddler's land to be free of wars

There's music and laughter and magic are the tales they tell
Describing the atmosphere of the Penny Whistle peddler's land to be filled with music, laughter, and magic

No One's ever nasty, Snakes and dogs don't ever bite
Stating that there are no mean people or harmful animals in the Penny Whistle peddler's land

Little children never cry, they're happy day and night
Implying that children are always happy in the Penny Whistle peddler's land

Chorus
Repeating the chorus

Verse 2:
Introduction to the second verse of the song

In the misty mystic land beneath dark hills
Describing the location of the Penny Whistle peddler's land

The Penny whistle peddler lives and there he weaves his magic spells
Stating that the Penny Whistle peddler lives in the land and enchants people with his music

If you ever heard his piping coming from some forest glade
If you ever hear the Penny Whistle peddler's music while in the forest

Open up your mind and love and never be afraid
Encouraging people to embrace love and not fear the unknown

Chorus
Repeating the chorus again

Verse 3:
Introduction to the final verse of the song

We are sad to tell you the whistle man has gone
Informing the listener that the Penny Whistle peddler has left

Today you never hear of him, the sound of war and hate have come
Stating that in the present day, there is no news of the peddler since the sound of war and hate dominate

But if children love each other narrow minds all pass away
Believing that if children learn to love each other, all narrow-mindedness and hostility will disappear

The penny whistle man will be back someday
Expressing hope that the Penny Whistle peddler may return someday

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

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