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 Christmas Traveller
The Irish Rovers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ha la la la la la la la le Ha la la la la la le lua
Ha la la la la la la la le Ha la la la la la le lua
Ha la la la la la la la le Ha la la la la la le lua
When I was afar one winters day I took my TV neath the tree
A fire to keep the cold away and a pint for hungers yearning
when A boy appeared up yonder road a most peculiar sight to see
he danced and he sang and he clapped his hands with a story of good tidings
What could bring such joyfulness I could not understand
He smile outshone the fire and he looked me in the eye
and he danced and sang and he clapped his hands and gave me this reply
he sang…
Ha la la la la la la la le Ha la la la la la le lua
Ha la la la la la la la le Ha la la la la la le lua
Ha la la la la la la la le Ha la la la la la le lua
Ha la la la la la la la le Ha la la la la la le lua
I sat beneath the sky that night beyond imagination
and from the sky a star of light directed destination
in all my curiosity I followed without waiting
shepherds I met on the way were standing dumbly quaking
then we heard a message and there seemed some glorious things
An angel has appeared to us so bright with golden wings
a story of a baby who on this night is born
a king of all the kingdoms our shelter from all storms
they sang….
Ha la la la la la la la le Ha la la la la la le lua
Ha la la la la la la la le Ha la la la la la le lua
Ha la la la la la la la le Ha la la la la la le lua
Ha la la la la la la la le Ha la la la la la le lua
When I arrived in Bethlehem the star was brightly shining
into a manger I could see a mother and her child
three men of stately origin with precious gifts were bearing
they knelt before the new born king in a holy light I saw
a kingdom for the loving he has come to lead us to
the son of man is living now can you feel it too
I scarcely can believe my ears the joy is in my heart
for god has heard his peoples needs and gave a brand new start
they sang….
Ha la la la la la la la le Ha la la la la la le lua
Ha la la la la la la la le Ha la la la la la le lua
Ha la la la la la la la le Ha la la la la la le lua
Ha la la la la la la la le Ha la la la la la le lua
Ha la la la la la la la le Ha la la la la la le lua
Ha la la la la la la la le Ha la la la la la le lua
The Christmas Traveller by The Irish Rovers tells the story of a man who encounters a mysterious young boy on a winter's day. The man sits by the fire with the boy and asks him what brings him such joyfulness. The boy responds with a dance, song, and clapping of hands, sharing the good tidings of the birth of a new king. The boy then leads the man on a journey to Bethlehem where they witness the birth of Jesus and the gathering of shepherds, three wise men, and a holy light. The singer is overwhelmed with joy and gratitude, expressing his excitement at the new beginning God has given his people.
The song skillfully captures the wonder and magic of the Christmas season through its storytelling and repetitive chorus. It highlights the joy in the birth of Christ and emphasizes the positive impact this event has on people's lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Ha la la la la la la la le Ha la la la la la le lua
Repetition of a joyful, festive tune to celebrate the story being told
When I was afar one winters day I took my TV neath the tree
The singer was spending a winter day at home, watching TV by the Christmas tree
A fire to keep the cold away and a pint for hungers yearning
The singer had a fire burning to stay warm and a drink to satisfy their hunger
When A boy appeared up yonder road a most peculiar sight to see
A strange boy came walking down the road and caught the artist's attention
he danced and he sang and he clapped his hands with a story of good tidings
The boy was filled with joy and shared a story about good news and happiness through dance and song
Come and sit besides the fire I called to this young man
The singer invited the boy to come sit by the fire
What could bring such joyfulness I could not understand
The singer was curious and asked the boy what was making him so joyful
He smile outshone the fire and he looked me in the eye
The boy had a bright, happy smile that lit up his face and he made eye contact with the artist
and he danced and sang and he clapped his hands and gave me this reply
The boy continued to share his joy and happiness through music and movement
I sat beneath the sky that night beyond imagination
The artist sat outside at night, amazed by the beauty of the sky
and from the sky a star of light directed destination
A shining star in the sky guided the singer's journey
in all my curiosity I followed without waiting
The artist was curious and eagerly followed the star without hesitation
shepherds I met on the way were standing dumbly quaking
The singer met some shepherds who were stunned and shaking with fear or awe
then we heard a message and there seemed some glorious things
They received a message and it seemed to be something miraculous or wonderful
An angel has appeared to us so bright with golden wings
The shepherds saw an angel, shining brightly with golden wings
a story of a baby who on this night is born
The angel shared the news of a baby being born that very night
a king of all the kingdoms our shelter from all storms
The baby was a king who would bring peace and protection to all
When I arrived in Bethlehem the star was brightly shining
The singer arrived in Bethlehem and the star was still shining brightly
into a manger I could see a mother and her child
The singer saw a mother and her newborn baby in a manger
three men of stately origin with precious gifts were bearing
Three important men arrived, carrying valuable gifts
they knelt before the new born king in a holy light I saw
The men knelt before the baby king and the scene was illuminated with a holy aura
a kingdom for the loving he has come to lead us to
The baby king would lead his people to a kingdom of love and goodness
the son of man is living now can you feel it too
The singer realized that the baby king was the son of God and felt his presence
I scarcely can believe my ears the joy is in my heart
The artist was overwhelmed with happiness and could hardly believe what they were hearing and feeling
for god has heard his peoples needs and gave a brand new start
God had answered his people's prayers and given them a fresh beginning
Contributed by Alex L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ian Burt
on Bluenose
You have missed out a verse.