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.

Pleasant and Delightful
The Irish Rovers Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

It was pleasant and delightful
On a midsummer's morn
Where the green fields and meadows
Were buried in the corn
And the blackbirds and thrushes
Sang on every green tree
And the larks they sang melodious
At the dawning of the day

Well a sailor and his true love
Were out walking one day
Said the sailor to his true love
I am bound for the Easy Indies
Where the loud cannons roar
And I'm leaving my Nancy
She's the one that I adore

Said the Sailor to his true love
Well I must be on me way
The topsails are hoisted
And the anchors are weighed
Our big ship lies waiting for to sail on the tide
And if ever I return again
Then I'll make you my bride

Then the ring from her finger
She instantly drew
Saying take this dear Geordie
And me heart will go too
And as he was embracing her
Tears from her eyes fell

Saying may I go along with you
Oh no me love farewell

Overall Meaning

The Irish Rovers’s song Pleasant and Delightful is a traditional folk song that is brimming with emotion as it tells the story of a sailor and his true love. The song’s opening lines describe the tranquil and serene setting of a midsummer’s morning where the green fields and meadows are covered with corn, and the blackbirds and thrushes are singing on every tree whilst the larks are singing melodiously at the break of dawn. The scenery is distinctly beautiful and enchanting, setting the mood for what is to follow.

The sailor and his true love are out on a walk, and he tells her that he is bound for the Easy Indies, where the cannons roar loudly, leaving behind the woman he loves, Nancy. The lyrics are a profound representation of love and separation, with Nancy being inconsolable at the departure of her love, who assures her that he will come back for her and make her his bride when he returns. In an emotional exchange, Nancy gives Geordie her ring and asks if she can go along with him, to which he replies saying he has to leave alone and bid her farewell.

Line by Line Meaning

It was pleasant and delightful
The day was beautiful and enjoyable

On a midsummer's morn
On a summer morning

Where the green fields and meadows
In an area with fields and meadows that are green

Were buried in the corn
Where the corn had grown tall

And the blackbirds and thrushes
The birds, such as blackbirds and thrushes,

Sang on every green tree
Sang from the trees that are green

And the larks they sang melodious
Larks sang a beautiful melody

At the dawning of the day
During sunrise

Well a sailor and his true love
A sailor and his lover

Were out walking one day
They went out for a walk one day

Said the sailor to his true love
The sailor said to his lover