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.
The Bonny Lady
The Irish Rovers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Far away from your mooring down in Portsmouth
With your mast on high and wavin' goodbye
To the lassies you left on shore
I′ve a fine strong crew and I tell them what to do
I'm the captain of the ship The Boonie Lady
She my joy and my pride and she's twenty meters wide
So haul down the riggin′ for were bound to sail away
Across the raggin′ ocean and were sailin' out today
And if we do return you′re bound to hear us say
We'll be going to sea once more
I′ve a fine strong crew and I tell them what to do
I'm the captain of the ship The Boonie Lady
She my joy and my pride and she′s twenty meters wide
And they call her the ship The Bonnie Lady
We'll my shipmates and me we sail from sea to sea
With the wind a whistlin' through the sails
Though the crew gets no rest they think that I′m the best
Cause I bail them one and all out of jail
I′ve a fine strong crew and I tell them what to do
I'm the captain of the ship The Boonie Lady
She my joy and my pride and she′s twenty meters wide
And they call her the ship The Bonnie Lady
We've a vast haul of rum a cargo we will run
From along the far off shores of Haiti
With the brisk salt air just blowin′ through me hair
At the wheel of the ship The Bonnie Lady
I've a fine strong crew and I tell them what to do
I′m the captain of the ship The Boonie Lady
She my joy and my pride and she's twenty meters wide
And they call her the ship The Bonnie Lady
I've a fine strong crew and I tell them what to do
I′m the captain of the ship The Boonie Lady
She my joy and my pride and she′s twenty meters wide
And they call her the ship The Bonnie Lady
I've a fine strong crew and I tell them what to do
I′m the captain of the ship The Boonie Lady
She my joy and my pride and she's twenty meters wide
And they call her the ship The Bonnie Lady
The Irish Rovers’ song The Bonny Lady is a sea shanty that speaks to the life of a sailor, their ship, and their travels. The song speaks of the sailors’ desire to sail away from Portsmouth and the lassies he left behind. The sailor has a strong and capable crew, and he is the captain of his ship, The Bonny Lady. He takes pride in his ship, which is twenty meters wide, and the crew relies on him to guide them through rough waters. The sailors embark on a journey across the ocean with the wind whistling through the sails, and they are determined to return and set sail again.
In the second verse, the sailor implies that he is respected by his crew members, who think he is the best. He has bailed them out of jail and gained their trust, and they are willing to sail with him from sea to sea. In the final verse, the crew receives a vast haul of rum, and they plan to run a cargo from Haiti. The sailor is at the wheel, enjoying the brisk salt air as he navigates The Bonny Lady through the seas.
Overall, The Bonny Lady is a classic sailor’s song that speaks of the love for the rough seas and the simple joys of being a sailor. The song is a reminder that a sailor’s life is tough, but the thrill of the adventure and the camaraderie among crew members are worth it.
Line by Line Meaning
All you sea barren men you're bound to sail again
Calling out to all sailors to get ready for the next voyage
Far away from your mooring down in Portsmouth
Leaving behind their safe harbor in Portsmouth and setting sail to distant lands
With your mast on high and wavin' goodbye
Raising the ship's mast and saying farewell to the loved ones left behind
To the lassies you left on shore
Addressing the women back on land who have been left behind
I've a fine strong crew and I tell them what to do
Being in charge of a skilled team of sailors
I'm the captain of the ship The Boonie Lady
Being the captain and proud owner of the ship called The Bonnie Lady
She my joy and my pride and she's twenty meters wide
Loving his ship, The Bonnie Lady, which is quite spacious and wide
And they call her the ship The Bonnie Lady
Repeating the name of his ship, which he is proud of
So haul down the riggin' for were bound to sail away
Lowering the rigging and preparing to set sail to another destination
Across the raggin' ocean and were sailin' out today
Venturing into the rough and turbulent ocean, starting the journey today
And if we do return you're bound to hear us say
In case they return, they will inform everyone about their success and share their experiences
We'll be going to sea once more
Planning on another voyage as soon as possible
We'll my shipmates and me we sail from sea to sea
Describing the journey of the captain and his crew, going from one ocean to another
With the wind a whistlin' through the sails
Feeling the strong breeze blowing through the ship's sails
Though the crew gets no rest they think that I'm the best
Acknowledging that the crew works tirelessly, but they still admire their captain
Cause I bail them one and all out of jail
Boasting about helping his crew members whenever they get into trouble or face legal issues
We've a vast haul of rum a cargo we will run
Describing the valuable cargo of rum that they will transport and sell at their destination
From along the far off shores of Haiti
Mentioning the place where they obtained the rum that they are carrying
With the brisk salt air just blowin' through me hair
Feeling the refreshing breeze with salt in the air that is blowing through his hair
At the wheel of the ship The Bonnie Lady
Proudly steering his ship, The Bonnie Lady
Contributed by Jackson K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ian Burt
on Bluenose
You have missed out a verse.