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.
Pigs Can't Fly
The Irish Rovers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I once had a pig that loved me
And lived in a shed in the country
In a middle class district of Dunfries
But a sad kind of pig was he
CHORUS:
Pigs can't swim and Pigs can't fly
Pigs make lovely household friends
When winter comes and summer ends
Early in the morning
So early in the morning
So early in the morning
Before the break of day
Verse 2:
Each week that lofty beside
Would beg with eyes so misty
To take him over the England
His life dreams to fulfil
CHORUS
Verse 3:
He'd plunge into the channel
Swim to France would be his gamble
Florence Chadwick couldn't hold a candle
To such a darling Pig as he
CHORUS
Verse 4:
"Are you tired of me?" I asked him
"Will our friendship not be lastin'?"
But he told me I was graspin'
And he needed to be free
CHORUS
Verse 5:
"So will you take me there tomorrow?"
"In a pig's eye," I said with sorrow
So he drowned himself in the bathtub
Naughty boy, and I had pork chops for my tea
CHORUS
The Irish Rovers's song "Pigs Can't Fly" is a lighthearted and playful tune about a pig that had dreams of being able to swim across the English Channel to France. The song speaks about the singer's relationship with this pig that lived in a shed in the country. Although the pig was loved, the singer describes him as a sad kind of pig. In the second verse, the pig would beg the singer to take him to England to fulfill his life dreams, but the singer wouldn't be able to do so.
In the third verse, the pig decides to take the risk and swim to France, believing that he could make it, unlike Florence Chadwick. The chorus repeats after each verse, and each time, it reinforces that pigs are not able to swim or fly - two traits that the pig longed for. In the fourth verse, the pig questions whether the singer is tired of him, to which the singer responds, causing the pig to declare that he needs to be free. In the final verse, the pig drowns himself in the bathtub, which leaves the singer with pork chops for tea.
Overall, the song could be interpreted in various ways, but it seems likely to be a story that teaches the lesson that sometimes we must accept our limitations and not dwell on our shortcomings. It also speaks to the importance of freedom and doing what we need to feel free.
Line by Line Meaning
I once had a pig that loved me
Once I had this pig who had an affection towards me
And lived in a shed in the country
He lived in a shed in the rural part of the country
In a middle-class district of Dunfries
Dunfries being the middle-class area where he lived
But a sad kind of pig was he
The pig was generally depressed and sad in nature
Pigs can't swim and Pigs can't fly
It is not possible for pigs to swim or fly
But pigs can see the wind go by
Yet they can sight and observe the wind passing by
Pigs make lovely household friends
Pigs are incredible pet friends for households
When winter comes and summer ends
Precisely during the onset of winter and end of summer
Early in the morning
In the early hours of the day
So early in the morning
Excessively early in the morning
Before the break of day
Even before the day breaks
Each week that lofty beside
Every week he would plead with me
Would beg with eyes so misty
His eyes would become teary and beguiling
To take him over the England
To move him to England
His life dreams to fulfil
He had dreams he yearned to achieve
He'd plunge into the channel
He would jump into the channel (sea)
Swim to France would be his gamble
He was willing to take a gamble and swim to France
Florence Chadwick could not hold a candle
Florence Chadwick couldn't be compared to his exceptional swimming skills
To such a darling Pig as he
His sweet and charming personality made him stand out
"Are you tired of me?" I asked him
I inquired if he was bored of our friendship
"Will our friendship not be lastin'?"
I questioned if our friendship would last or not
But he told me I was graspin'
He accused me of being possessive or greedy
And he needed to be free
He yearned to be independent and at liberty
"So will you take me there tomorrow?"
He asked me if I could take him to his dream destination the next day
"In a pig's eye," I said with sorrow
I replied to him that it was highly unlikely to arrange his dream trip any time soon
So he drowned himself in the bathtub
He took his life by drowning himself in the bathtub
Naughty boy, and I had pork chops for my tea
He was mischievous, and as a consequence, I had pork chops for my dinner
Contributed by Layla A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ian Burt
on Bluenose
You have missed out a verse.