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.

Sullivan's John
The Irish Rovers Lyrics

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Sullivan's John to the roads ye've gone
Far away from y'er native home
Ye've gone with the tinker's daughter
Far along the road to roam

Sullivan's John ye won't stick it long
For y'er belly will soon get slack
And y'll roam the road with a mighty loadY'er tool box on your back

I met Katy McFie and her fat baby
Behind on her back strapped on
She had a big stick all in her hand
To drive her donkey on
Inquiring at every farmer's house
As along the road she'd pass
Where can I find a pot to mend?
Can me donkey graze your grass?

There's a fair somwhere in the county Clare
Near a place they call Spaniard's Dam
Where Katy and me and the fat baby
Got caught by her tinker clan
They tied me uip in a donkey cart
While Kate and the baby looked on

Oh I rue the day that I went away
To join with the tinker band

Overall Meaning

The song "Sullivan's John" tells a story about a man named John Sullivan who has left his home and joined the tinker (traveler) community, bringing with him the tinker's daughter. The lyrics suggest that while John may enjoy the freedom of the road at first, he won't last long because he will soon get hungry and tired. The song also introduces another character, Katy McFie, who is on the road with her donkey, looking for work mending pots. She is later caught by the tinker clan, tied up, and forced to watch as John continues to travel with the tinker's daughter.

The song is a reflection of the attitudes towards tinkers in Ireland during the time it was written. Tinkers were a marginalized group who were often ridiculed and looked down upon by the rest of society. The song plays into these prejudices by portraying the tinker lifestyle as temporary, and suggesting that those who join the tinker community are ultimately making a mistake. At the same time, the song also serves as a commentary on the hardships faced by those on the road in Ireland, particularly women like Katy McFie who were often forced to rely on the goodwill of others to survive.

Sullivan's JohnThe Irish Rovers Lyrics

Ian Burt

on Bluenose

Sullivan's John
The Irish Rovers Lyrics