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.
Purple People Eater
The Irish Rovers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A comin' out of the sky
It had a one long horn
And a one big eye
I commenced to shakin'
And I said "oohwee
It looks like a Purple
People Eater to me"
It was a one-eyed, one-horned
Flyin' Purple People Eater
One-eyed, one-horned
Flyin' Purple People Eater
One-eyed, one-horned
Flyin' Purple People Eater
Sure looked strange to me
Well, he came down to earth
And he lit in a tree
I said a, "Mister Purple People Eater,
Don't eat me"
I heard him say
In a voice so gruff,
"I wouldn't eat you
Cause you're so tough"
It was a one-eyed, one-horned
Flyin' Purple People Eater
One-eyed, one-horned
Flyin' Purple People Eater
One-eyed, one-horned
Flyin' purple people Eater
Sure looked strange to me
I said a, "Mister Purple People Eater,
What's your line?"
He said,
Eatin' purple people,
And it sure is fine.
But that's not the reason
That I came to land
I wanna get a job
In a rock 'n roll band
Well, bless my soul, rock 'n roll
Flyin' Purple People Eater
Pigeon-toed, under-growed
Flyin' Purple People Eater
One-eyed, one-horned
Flyin' Purple People Eater
What a sight to see
And then he swung from the tree
And he lit on the ground
And he started to rock,
A-really rockin' around
It was a crazy ditty
With a swingin' tune, I'm singin'
Bop bapa loop a lap
A loom bam boom
It was a one-eyed, one-horned
Flyin' Purple People Eater
One-eyed, one-horned
Flyin' Purple People Eater
One-eyed, one-horned
Flyin' purple people Eater
What a sight to see
Well, he went on his way
And then what-a you know
I saw him last night
On a TV show
He was blowin' it out,
Really knockin' 'em dead
A Playin' rock 'n roll music
Through the horn on his head
(Saxaphone plays)
It was a one-eyed, one-horned
Flyin' Purple People Eater
One-eyed, one-horned
Flyin' Purple People Eater
One-eyed, one-horned
Flyin' Purple People Eater
Sure looked strange to me
The Irish Rovers's song "Purple People Eater" tells the story of a creature that comes out of the sky with one long horn and a big eye. The singer sees the creature and gets scared but realizes it is actually just a "purple people eater." The creature explains that its main goal is not to eat people but rather to get a job in a rock 'n roll band. The song describes the creature as a "one-eyed, one-horned flyin' purple people eater" and ends with the creature becoming a successful musician.
While the song's lyrics may seem silly, they are highly memorable and demonstrate the ability of music to evoke strong emotions even when the subject matter is lighthearted. The song's catchy melody and humorous lyrics have made it a classic that has been covered by many artists over the years.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I saw the thing
I visualized a strange creature in the sky
A comin' out of the sky
It was approaching from the heavens
It had a one long horn
The creature had a lengthy horn
And a one big eye
It had a single large eye
I commenced to shakin'
I began to tremble with fear
And I said "oohwee
I exclaimed with surprise
It looks like a Purple
It resembled a purple
People Eater to me"
creature that devours humans
It was a one-eyed, one-horned
The creature had a single horn and eye
Flyin' Purple People Eater
A flying monster that devours humans
Sure looked strange to me
I was taken aback by its appearance
Well, he came down to earth
The creature descended from the sky
And he lit in a tree
It landed on a tree
I said a, "Mister Purple People Eater,
I addressed the monster as Mister Purple People Eater
Don't eat me"
I begged it not to eat me
I heard him say
The creature replied
In a voice so gruff,
With a harsh voice
"I wouldn't eat you
I won't devour you
Cause you're so tough"
Because you look too sturdy to eat
I said a, "Mister Purple People Eater,
I spoke again to the creature
What's your line?"
I queried its purpose
He said,
The creature responded,
Eatin' purple people,
Devouring humans with purple skin,
And it sure is fine.
It enjoys doing so.
But that's not the reason
However,
That I came to land
I didn't come here to land
I wanna get a job
Instead, I hope to be employed
In a rock 'n roll band
As a member of a rock band
Well, bless my soul, rock 'n roll
Oh my Gosh, rock music
Pigeon-toed, under-growed
Awkward, stunted
Flyin' Purple People Eater
The purple monster that flies
What a sight to see
It was a remarkable thing to behold
And then he swung from the tree
Then it jumped down from the tree
And he lit on the ground
It landed on the ground
And he started to rock,
It began to dance
A-really rockin' around
Dancing enthusiastically
It was a crazy ditty
It was a wild song
With a swingin' tune, I'm singin'
It was a melodious, upbeat song that I am singing.
Bop bapa loop a lap
Nonsense syllables to suit the song
A loom bam boom
Another phrase without meaning
Well, he went on his way
The creature continued its journey
And then what-a you know
And then I heard what happened next,
I saw him last night
I saw it again last night
On a TV show
It was performing on a television program
He was blowin' it out,
It was giving it all it had,
Really knockin' 'em dead
Receiving an enthusiastic response
A Playin' rock 'n roll music
Giving a rocking performance
Through the horn on his head
With the unique method of using its horn as the music instrument
Sure looked strange to me
I was still amazed by it.
Contributed by Mila A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@dschoene57
I can't stop dancing to this. It's intoxicating.
@gam3rgodproductions
This song... i used to listen to it when i was like 5.. hahaha its sooo nostalgic xD
@CCRoxtar
I grew up hearing Children of the Unicorn, the album on which this song appeared. Thanks for keeping the memories alive. :)
@deaton1951de
-/"kr iaa
@littledikkins2253
I was a little girl when this song was on the radio.
@Wolfwolveswolf
THE IRISH ROVERS
@manoftruth0935
So this is the original song.
@adreabrooks11
Nah, the original was performed by Sheb Wooley in the late 50s - but this is a fun cover! ^_^