In 1968, the predecessor of the Junoās named The Irish Rovers Canadaās, āFolk Group of the Yearā, and the following year, they received a Grammy nomination for āFolk Performance of the Yearā.
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 āplease become Canadianā 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 90ās, their songwriting was even more prolific than their early years, and production of albums wasnāt about to slow down. Since they desired the freedom that as a younger band, they could not afford, in ā93 The Irish Rovers established their own record company, Rover Records. Their songs tell the story of the Irish, whether itās 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.
Rhymes And Reasons
The Irish Rovers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
their laughter and their loveliness would clear a cloudy day.
Like the music of the mountains and the colors of the rainbow,
they're a promise of the future and a blessing for today.
So you speak to me of sadness and the coming of the winter,
The fear that is within you now that seems to never end,
and the dreams that have escaped you and the hope that you've forgotten,
and you wonder where we're going, where's the rhyme and where's the reason?
And it's you cannot accept: it is here we must begin to seek the wisdom of the children
and the graceful way of flowers in the wind.
For the children and the flowers are my sisters and my brothers,
their laughter and their loveliness would clear a cloudy day.
Like the music of the mountains and the colors of the rainbow,
they're a promise of the future and a blessing for today.
Though the cities start to crumble and the towers fall around us,
the sun is slowly fading and it's colder than the sea.
It is written: From the desert to the mountains they shall lead us,
by the hand and by the heart, they will comfort you and me.
In their innocence and trusting they will teach us to be free.
For the children and the flowers are my sisters and my brothers,
their laughter and their loveliness would clear a cloudy day.
And the song that I am singing is a prayer to non-believers,
come and stand beside us we can find a better way.
In the song "Rhymes and Reasons" by The Irish Rovers, the lyrics emphasize the importance of children and nature in our lives. The song opens with the lines "For the children and the flowers are my sisters and my brothers, their laughter and their loveliness would clear a cloudy day." Here, the lyrics suggest that the innocence and beauty of children and nature bring joy and happiness to the world. The lines "Like the music of the mountains and the colors of the rainbow, they're a promise of the future and a blessing for today" further emphasize this idea of hope and promise that children and nature bring.
The second verse of the song takes a different turn, discussing sadness, fear, and forgotten dreams. The lines "and you wonder where we're going, where's the rhyme and where's the reason? And it's you cannot accept: it is here we must begin to seek the wisdom of the children and the graceful way of flowers in the wind" suggest that instead of focusing on the negativity and hardships of the world, we should turn to the wisdom of children and the beauty of nature to find guidance and hope.
The final verse focuses on the idea that even in times of turmoil and uncertainty, children and nature can lead and comfort us. The lines "From the desert to the mountains they shall lead us, by the hand and by the heart, they will comfort you and me. In their innocence and trusting they will teach us to be free" suggest that by learning from the innocence and trust of children and the beauty of nature, we can truly be free.
Overall, "Rhymes and Reasons" is a song that reminds us of the importance of finding hope and wisdom in children and nature.
Line by Line Meaning
For the children and the flowers are my sisters and my brothers,
The innocence and beauty of children and flowers are as valuable to me as the bond of siblinghood.
their laughter and their loveliness would clear a cloudy day.
The joy and beauty brought by children and flowers can brighten even the darkest of times.
Like the music of the mountains and the colors of the rainbow,
Children and flowers represent the promise of a better future through the beauty and harmony found in nature.
they're a promise of the future and a blessing for today.
The hope and joy offered by the innocence of children and beauty of flowers provide a blessing to the present, along with the promise of a better future.
So you speak to me of sadness and the coming of the winter,
The artist cares for someone who is discussing their sadness and fears of difficult times ahead.
The fear that is within you now that seems to never end,
The person speaking is experiencing ongoing fear and anxiety.
and the dreams that have escaped you and the hope that you've forgotten,
The singer's dreams and hopes have waned and they feel defeated.
and you tell me that you need me now and you want to be my friend,
The person speaking is reaching out for help and support from the artist.
and you wonder where we're going, where's the rhyme and where's the reason?
The artist and the person speaking are both questioning the path they are on and the reasons for the difficulties they face.
And it's you cannot accept: it is here we must begin to seek the wisdom of the children
The artist suggests that understanding and learning from the perspective of children may hold the key to finding wisdom and hope in difficult times.
and the graceful way of flowers in the wind.
The beauty and grace of flowers blowing in the wind may offer inspiration and insight for navigating life's challenges.
Though the cities start to crumble and the towers fall around us,
Even in the midst of chaos, destruction, and uncertainty, there remains hope.
the sun is slowly fading and it's colder than the sea.
The singer experiences a sense of loss, perhaps of hope or optimism, as if the warmth of the sun is slipping away and being replaced by a cold, dark void.
It is written: From the desert to the mountains they shall lead us,
There is an underlying faith or belief that something positive lies ahead, and that children and flowers can be a guiding force along the way.
by the hand and by the heart, they will comfort you and me.
Children and flowers offer comfort and solace in times of distress, and can be a source of strength and support for both the singer and the person they are addressing.
In their innocence and trusting they will teach us to be free.
The purity and trust represented by children and flowers have the power to teach and inspire us towards greater freedom, even in the face of adversity.
And the song that I am singing is a prayer to non-believers,
The artist's message of hope and faith is not limited to those who already believe, but is offered as a prayer to those who do not yet see the beauty and potential for goodness in the world.
come and stand beside us we can find a better way.
The singer invites others to stand with them and work towards finding a better way forward, with the hope and inspiration offered by children and flowers as a guide.
Contributed by Reagan T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ian Burt
on Bluenose
You have missed out a verse.