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.

The Christmas Wish
The Irish Rovers Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I don't know if you believe in Christmas,
or if you have presents underneath the Christmas tree.
But if you believe in love, that will be more than enough
for you to come and celebrate with me.

For I have held the precious gift that love brings
even though I've never saw a Christmas star.
But I know there is a light, I have felt it burn inside,

and I can see it shining from afar.

Christmas is a time to come together, a time to put all differences aside.
And I reach out my hand to the family of man
to share the joy I feel at Christmas time.

For the truth that binds us all together, I would like to say a simple prayer.
That at this special time, you will have true peace of mind
and love to last throughout the coming year.

And if you believe in love, that will be more than enough

for peace to last throughout the coming year.
And peace on earth will last throughout the year.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of The Irish Rovers' song The Christmas Wish speak of the universal message of Christmas – love, peace, and unity. The singer contemplates on whether the listener believes in Christmas or not, but asserts that belief in love is more than enough to celebrate the holiday with them. The singer goes on to describe their experience of holding the precious gift of love, even though they may not have seen the Christmas star. They acknowledge the light that burns within them and connects them to all humanity. The singer then articulates the importance of Christmas as a time for people to put their differences aside and come together, holding out their hand to the family of man. They hope that everyone will find true peace of mind and love not just during the holiday season but throughout the coming year, binding all people together in the truth that love brings.

Line by Line Meaning

I don't know if you believe in Christmas,
I am uncertain whether you celebrate Christmas or not.

or if you have presents underneath the Christmas tree.
I am unsure if there are gifts waiting for you under the Christmas tree.

But if you believe in love, that will be more than enough
However, if you believe in the power of love, that will suffice.

for you to come and celebrate with me.
You are welcome to celebrate with me and those who also believe in love.

For I have held the precious gift that love brings
Although I have never seen a Christmas star, I have experienced the precious gift of love.

even though I've never saw a Christmas star.
Even though I have never witnessed the sparkle of a Christmas star.

But I know there is a light, I have felt it burn inside,
I am confident that there is a light within me that burns brightly.

and I can see it shining from afar.
This light emanates from me and shines brightly for all to see, even from a distance.

Christmas is a time to come together, a time to put all differences aside.
Christmas is an occasion to unite and overlook any disparities between us.

And I reach out my hand to the family of man
I extend my hand to humanity, to all people.

to share the joy I feel at Christmas time.
To partake in the happiness that I experience during this season.

For the truth that binds us all together, I would like to say a simple prayer.
I would like to offer a humble prayer for the verity that unites all of us.

That at this special time, you will have true peace of mind
My prayer is that during this special time, you will find inner harmony.

and love to last throughout the coming year.
I also hope that love will prevail throughout the upcoming year.

And if you believe in love, that will be more than enough
If you have faith in the power of love, that will suffice.

for peace to last throughout the coming year.
Love is capable of preserving peace throughout the next year.

And peace on earth will last throughout the year.
This love-induced peace will endure throughout the entire year, on the entire earth.

Contributed by Madison Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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