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.
Snoopy vs. the Red Baron
The Irish Rovers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the clear blue skies over Germany
Came a roar and a thunder men had never heard
Like the scream and the sounds of a big war bird
Up in the sky, a man in a plane
Baron von Richtofin was his name
Eighty men tried, and eighty men died
Now they're buried together on the countryside
Ten, twenty, thirty, forty, fifty or more
The Bloody Red Baron, would roll up the score
Eighty men died, tryin' to end that spree
Of the Bloody Red Baron, of Germany
In the nick of time, a hero arose
A funny-looking dog, with a big black nose
He flew into the sky to seek revenge
But the Baron shot him down--"Curses, foiled again!"
Ten, twenty, thirty, forty, fifty or more
The Bloody Red Baron, would roll up the score
Eighty men died, tryin' to end that spree
Of the Bloody Red Baron, of Germany
Now Snoopy had sworn, that he'd get that man
So he asked the Great Pumpkin for a new battle plan
He would challenge the German to a real dogfight
While the Baron was laughing, he got him in his sight
Send twenty, thirty, forty, fifty or more
The Bloody Red Baron, would roll up the score
Eighty men died, tryin' to end that spree
Of the Bloody Red Baron, of Germany
That Bloody Red Baron was in a fix
He'd tried everything, but he'd run out of tricks
Snoopy fired once, and he fired twice
And that Bloody Red Baron went spinning out of sight
Send twenty, thirty, forty, fifty or more
The Bloody Red Baron, would roll up the score
Eighty men died, tryin' to end that spree
Of the Bloody Red Baron, of Germany
Ten! Ten, twenty, thirty, forty, fifty or more
The Bloody Red Baron, would roll up the score
Eighty men died, tryin' to end that spree
Of the Bloody Red Baron, of Germany
The Irish Rovers's song Snoopy vs. the Red Baron is a fun and catchy tune that tells the story, in a lighthearted way, of the aerial battle between the WW1 German flying ace, Baron von Richtofin, also known as the Red Baron, and Snoopy, a funny-looking dog with a big black nose. The song starts by setting the scene, explaining the gravity of the situation, and how the music reflects the sound of a big war bird, indicating the seriousness of the war. Then it talks about the Red Baron and how he had already killed ninety people, and how it was a big challenge to take him down. That's when Snoopy comes into the picture, vowing to get the Red Baron.
The song's tone is playful, almost disarming, even though the war is the subject matter. The lyrics further express this message, by portraying Snoopy, a comic-strip character, as a hero and a savior. The song celebrates Snoopy's victory over the Baron, where he shot him down, and how he ended the bloody spree he had been on. It's a playful retelling of history for those who are a bit sick of war and are looking for a bit of a break.
Overall, The Irish Rovers's song Snoopy vs. the Red Baron is a lighthearted, feel-good song that tells a story of a big battle and how the underdog came out on top. It's an enjoyable song with soothing vocals and a catchy melody that makes you want to sing along.
Line by Line Meaning
After the turn of the century
When the 1900s began
In the clear blue skies over Germany
Up in the sky over Germany
Came a roar and a thunder men had never heard
A sound like nothing they'd ever heard before
Like the scream and the sounds of a big war bird
Similar to how a large military plane might sound
Up in the sky, a man in a plane
A man flying a plane
Baron von Richtofin was his name
That man was called Baron von Richtofin
Eighty men tried, and eighty men died
80 men attempted to stop him, and 80 men were killed
Now they're buried together on the countryside
All 80 of those men are buried in the same place, out in the country
Ten, twenty, thirty, forty, fifty or more
There were a lot of them
The Bloody Red Baron, would roll up the score
Baron von Richtofin was always the victor
In the nick of time, a hero arose
Just in time, a hero appeared
A funny-looking dog, with a big black nose
A dog that looked funny, with a big black nose
He flew into the sky to seek revenge
The dog flew up into the sky to get revenge
But the Baron shot him down--"Curses, foiled again!"
Baron von Richtofin shot the dog, and was annoyed that he was unsuccessful
Now Snoopy had sworn, that he'd get that man
The dog named Snoopy was determined to get revenge on Baron von Richtofin
So he asked the Great Pumpkin for a new battle plan
Snoopy turned to the Great Pumpkin for help with devising a plan of attack
He would challenge the German to a real dogfight
He wanted to challenge the Baron to a physical fight
While the Baron was laughing, he got him in his sight
As the Baron was laughing, Snoopy took aim and was able to get him in his crosshairs
That Bloody Red Baron was in a fix
Baron von Richtofin was in trouble
He'd tried everything, but he'd run out of tricks
The Baron had used all of his tactics, but didn't have any left
Snoopy fired once, and he fired twice
Snoopy shot the Baron once, then shot him again
And that Bloody Red Baron went spinning out of sight
Baron von Richtofin spun out of control and disappeared from view
Ten! Ten, twenty, thirty, forty, fifty or more
There were still a lot of them
The Bloody Red Baron, would roll up the score
Despite being defeated, Baron von Richtofin was still known for winning battles
Eighty men died, tryin' to end that spree
80 men were killed while attempting to stop Baron von Richtofin
Of the Bloody Red Baron, of Germany
Referring to Baron von Richtofin, a notable figure in Germany's military history
Contributed by Dylan P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@charlescollins7294
I very much enjoyed the "Snoopy vs. The Red Baron" Mixture of friendly Irish voices and "Great" mixture of sounds. Thank you!😎
@torrigarnet
I listened to that album so much as a kid and I loved it. I miss that cassette.
@ravenlord_xix
I listened to the Children of the Unicorn album so much as a kid, I sadly ruined the CD. I have the lyrics to the Unicorn memorized, when I was young I used to sing it to my great grandma whenever she asked. Many good memories
@jontherevelator9663
I had it on Vinyl
@nicklancial7103
had no idea the Irish Rovers did this song and it was only 10 years after the first version came out I gotta say that both of them have their charm ....wonder why they never play this one at christmas on the radio
@briansivley2001
Me too and I'm a fan of both this song and The Irish Rovers I never knew that they did this. I'm as surprised as the time when I found out that they also did a cover of Puff The Magic Dragon from Peter Paul and Mary.
@nicklancial7103
@@briansivley2001 yeah heard that version too it was great really reminded me of my childhood
@coralynn78
do not feel stupid! i grew up to this and i still love this music... i was born in 1978 and still prefer older music
@wolfwagonc1727
I’m with you 👍👍👍
@ClaytonDelaney
I'm German and totally love this song! :D