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 Day The Tallships Came
The Irish Rovers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Topsails flying high
Like phantoms of the past they flew
On billowed wings of white
Fresh as the winds of morning,
Light as the ocean spray.
A wonder to behold they were
As they sailed upon their way.
Windjammer, sloop and ketch,
Brigantine and yawl,
From far off corners of the world
They left their ports of call
Great and noble ladies
True sirens of the sea
They brought their nation's blessings to
The land of liberty
From England, France and Germany
From Portugal and Spain
From Russia and from Poland
They crossed the bounding main
From North and South
And East and West
From every point they come
From far off Scandinavia
And the Land of the Rising Sun.
Windjammer, sloop and ketch,
Brigantine and yawl,
From far off corners of the world
They left their ports of call
Great and noble ladies
True sirens of the sea
They brought their nation's blessings to
The land of liberty
And those of us who lined the shores
That morning in July,
And watched in silent wonder as
The ships passed slowly by,
Could hear them calling to us
From beyond the winds of time
And feel the rolling of the decks
And taste the salty brine.
Windjammer, sloop and ketch,
Brigantine and yawl,
From far off corners of the world
They left their ports of call
Great and noble ladies
True sirens of the sea
They brought their nation's blessings to
The land of liberty
One day they'll tell the story
Of a day that's long gone by
When the Tall Ships came a-sailin'
With their masts up to the sky
And the lives of we that saw them
Will never be the same
And the world will all remember
The Day The Tall Ships Came.
Windjammer, sloop and ketch,
Brigantine and yawl,
From far off corners of the world
They left their ports of call
Great and noble ladies
True sirens of the sea
They brought their nation's blessings to
The land of liberty
Windjammer, sloop and ketch,
Brigantine and yawl,
From far off corners of the world
They left their ports of call
Great and noble ladies
True sirens of the sea
They brought their nation's blessings to
The land of liberty
The song “The Day The Tall Ships Came” by The Irish Rovers is an ode to the majestic beauty of tall ships that sailed into the harbor, invoking a sense of awe and wonder among people. The lyrics describe the ships emerging from the mists, their sails towering high, as they pass through the waves with ease. The ships come from myriad countries, and their arrival symbolizes the unity and peace brought about by maritime trade. The song also touches upon the sense of nostalgia that the sight of these ships evokes, a feeling that transcends earthly time and transports the onlookers to another era, where the ships and their captains were the stuff of legends.
The lyrics, while simple and straightforward, evoke a sense of romanticism and wonder, painting vivid pictures of the ships' journey across the seas. The rhythmic quality of the song adds to the majestic aura of the ships as they pass by, and the chorus reinforces the greatness of the ships and their importance in the history of the world. The final lines, “And the world will all remember, The Day The Tall Ships Came” sum up the significance of the ships' arrival, not only for those who witnessed it but for those who will hear the stories in the future.
Line by Line Meaning
Out of the mists of time they came
The tall ships arrived as if from another era, shrouded in mystery and history.
Topsails flying high
The ships were majestic and grand, with their sails waving proudly in the wind.
Like phantoms of the past they flew
The ships felt almost supernatural, a throwback to an earlier time and place.
On billowed wings of white
The ships sailed on graceful white sails that seemed to glide across the water.
Fresh as the winds of morning,
The ships were new and filled with life, like the start of a new day.
Light as the ocean spray.
The vessels were delicate and elegant, akin to the fine mist that rises from the sea.
A wonder to behold they were
The ships were a sight to see, awe-inspiring and magnificent.
As they sailed upon their way.
The ships were on a journey, moving forward with purpose and intent.
From England, France and Germany
The tall ships came from all across Europe, each with its distinct identity and culture.
From Portugal and Spain
Some ships arrived from the Iberian Peninsula, bringing the flavor and style of that region to America.
From Russia and from Poland
More distant lands like Russia and Poland also contributed to the tall ship fleet, adding to the diversity of the occasion.
They crossed the bounding main
The tall ships sailed across the vast, open ocean, braving the wild waters with determination and skill.
From North and South And East and West
The ships came from all parts of the globe, from every direction and compass point imaginable.
From every point they come
The tall ships hailed from all over, proof of the international nature of the event.
From far off Scandinavia
Even the northern reaches of Europe, like Scandinavia, were represented in the parade of tall ships.
And the Land of the Rising Sun.
Japan, or the Land of the Rising Sun, was also part of the festivities, an exotic and intriguing arrival to the party.
And those of us who lined the shores That morning in July,
The people who came to see the tall ships were gathered together, waiting in anticipation along the shorelines.
And watched in silent wonder as The ships passed slowly by,
As the tall ships passed by, the spectators were in silent awe, taking in the grandeur and beauty of the moment.
Could hear them calling to us From beyond the winds of time
The tall ships seemed like they were speaking to people across generations, beckoning them to consider the history and significance of the occasion.
And feel the rolling of the decks And taste the salty brine.
The viewers could almost feel the waves of the ocean, the salty spray of seawater, and the motion of the ships themselves as they glided by.
One day they'll tell the story Of a day that's long gone by
The day that the tall ships arrived was so momentous that it would become part of history, a story to tell the generations that follow.
When the Tall Ships came a-sailin' With their masts up to the sky
The tall ship fleet was an astonishing sight to behold; the tall masts seemingly reached the heavens above.
And the lives of we that saw them Will never be the same
The impact of the moment on the people who saw the tall ships was profound, a transformative and unforgettable experience.
And the world will all remember The Day The Tall Ships Came.
Such was the influence of the tall ships that even the whole world would remember that day, an iconic moment in history that would never be forgotten.
Contributed by Anna P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Shaun Olinger
I've had to wait for a long time to comment on this, because I wanted it to be right. Here goes.
This song has particular significance in my family for two reasons, and historical significance in at least one, although I'm certain there's more.
For my family, this song is how I remember and honor my seafaring, songwriting mother. All 4' 11¾" of her. She passed away in 2019. I got to see her one last time in the hospital after not seeing her for 8 years, as she lived in Alaska, and we live in the lower 48. During that last visit we got to sing some together, and growing up as my sister and I did on sailboats in the late 70s and early 80s music and singing was a big part of our lives.
The 2nd reason is that my mother had been looking for this song for a very long time. It came out for the 1976 tall ship convention on the east coast, but was never released. She tried to buy it as a single from the original writer, but was denied. Some years later the Irish Rovers got the rights to it and released it. She bought it almost immediately. During the tall ship convention we lived on a small sailboat on the Puget Sound, Washington state, and were building a 60 foot Bruce Roberts designed staysail schooner. Some time afterward, I don't remember how long, we got to see the Coast Guard training tall ship "Eagle" coming back into port near Seattle.
Nothing in the world is so beautiful as a tall ship under sail, and the "Eagle" was flying a LOT of canvas that day. I will never forget the sight, nor the flag salute she returned to us after we dipped ours to her.
The historic component in this song is really funny if you take it in the context of the time. The USSR vessel was "Sovereign of the Sea", and he (Russian ships are referred to in the male gender) was an obnoxious, unruly, and thoroughly unpleasant participant in the convention. He caused significant damage to several other vessels during the lead up and start of the race, was technically disqualified, but went on in full participation anyway. The line in this song, "true sovereigns of the sea" is a straight right hook to the USSR, their behavior, and the name of their ship. For all I know it might still be banned in Russia, but it's still funny.
So if you're ever out on your boat with a national flag flying, and you pass or are passed by a warship... dip your flag to her (or him) in passing. I can almost guarantee you will get some kind of salute back, be it a dipped flag, a horn, a siren. Maybe just a wave from the captain, but I promise you you just made their day.
Seleucus Nicator
Out of the mists of time they came
Topsails flying high
Like phantoms of the past they flew
On billowed wings of white
Fresh as the winds of morning,
Light as the ocean spray.
A wonder to behold they were
As they sailed upon their way.
Windjammer, sloop and ketch,
Brigantine and yawl,
From far off corners of the world
They left their ports of call
Great and noble ladies
True sirens of the sea
They brought their nation's blessings to
The land of liberty
From England, France and Germany
From Portugal and Spain
From Russia and from Poland
They crossed the bounding main
From North and South
And East and West
From every point they come
From far off Scandinavia
And the Land of the Rising Sun.
Windjammer, sloop and ketch,
Brigantine and yawl,
From far off corners of the world
They left their ports of call
Great and noble ladies
True sirens of the sea
They brought their nation's blessings to
The land of liberty
And those of us who lined the shores
That morning in July,
And watched in silent wonder as
The ships passed slowly by,
Could hear them calling to us
From beyond the winds of time
And feel the rolling of the decks
And taste the salty brine.
Windjammer, sloop and ketch,
Brigantine and yawl,
From far off corners of the world
They left their ports of call
Great and noble ladies
True sirens of the sea
They brought their nation's blessings to
The land of liberty
One day they'll tell the story
Of a day that's long gone by
When the Tall Ships came a-sailin'
With their masts up to the sky
And the lives of we that saw them
Will never be the same
And the world will all remember
The Day The Tall Ships Came.
Windjammer, sloop and ketch,
Brigantine and yawl,
From far off corners of the world
They left their ports of call
Great and noble ladies
True sirens of the sea
They brought their nation's blessings to
The land of liberty
Windjammer, sloop and ketch,
Brigantine and yawl,
From far off corners of the world
They left their ports of call
Great and noble ladies
True sirens of the sea
They brought their nation's blessings to
The land of liberty
Shaun Olinger
I've had to wait for a long time to comment on this, because I wanted it to be right. Here goes.
This song has particular significance in my family for two reasons, and historical significance in at least one, although I'm certain there's more.
For my family, this song is how I remember and honor my seafaring, songwriting mother. All 4' 11¾" of her. She passed away in 2019. I got to see her one last time in the hospital after not seeing her for 8 years, as she lived in Alaska, and we live in the lower 48. During that last visit we got to sing some together, and growing up as my sister and I did on sailboats in the late 70s and early 80s music and singing was a big part of our lives.
The 2nd reason is that my mother had been looking for this song for a very long time. It came out for the 1976 tall ship convention on the east coast, but was never released. She tried to buy it as a single from the original writer, but was denied. Some years later the Irish Rovers got the rights to it and released it. She bought it almost immediately. During the tall ship convention we lived on a small sailboat on the Puget Sound, Washington state, and were building a 60 foot Bruce Roberts designed staysail schooner. Some time afterward, I don't remember how long, we got to see the Coast Guard training tall ship "Eagle" coming back into port near Seattle.
Nothing in the world is so beautiful as a tall ship under sail, and the "Eagle" was flying a LOT of canvas that day. I will never forget the sight, nor the flag salute she returned to us after we dipped ours to her.
The historic component in this song is really funny if you take it in the context of the time. The USSR vessel was "Sovereign of the Sea", and he (Russian ships are referred to in the male gender) was an obnoxious, unruly, and thoroughly unpleasant participant in the convention. He caused significant damage to several other vessels during the lead up and start of the race, was technically disqualified, but went on in full participation anyway. The line in this song, "true sovereigns of the sea" is a straight right hook to the USSR, their behavior, and the name of their ship. For all I know it might still be banned in Russia, but it's still funny.
So if you're ever out on your boat with a national flag flying, and you pass or are passed by a warship... dip your flag to her (or him) in passing. I can almost guarantee you will get some kind of salute back, be it a dipped flag, a horn, a siren. Maybe just a wave from the captain, but I promise you you just made their day.
James Jensen
One of my all time favorites, I have the original album took me years to find it on CD but was well worth the time when I finally found it.
Jari B.
I don't suppose you recall where you were able to find it? I've been looking for it for years now, but can only find Vinyls.
The Lonely God With A Box
I love this song! Great music, great group!
Seleucus Nicator
Out of the mists of time they came
Topsails flying high
Like phantoms of the past they flew
On billowed wings of white
Fresh as the winds of morning,
Light as the ocean spray.
A wonder to behold they were
As they sailed upon their way.
Windjammer, sloop and ketch,
Brigantine and yawl,
From far off corners of the world
They left their ports of call
Great and noble ladies
True sirens of the sea
They brought their nation's blessings to
The land of liberty
From England, France and Germany
From Portugal and Spain
From Russia and from Poland
They crossed the bounding main
From North and South
And East and West
From every point they come
From far off Scandinavia
And the Land of the Rising Sun.
Windjammer, sloop and ketch,
Brigantine and yawl,
From far off corners of the world
They left their ports of call
Great and noble ladies
True sirens of the sea
They brought their nation's blessings to
The land of liberty
And those of us who lined the shores
That morning in July,
And watched in silent wonder as
The ships passed slowly by,
Could hear them calling to us
From beyond the winds of time
And feel the rolling of the decks
And taste the salty brine.
Windjammer, sloop and ketch,
Brigantine and yawl,
From far off corners of the world
They left their ports of call
Great and noble ladies
True sirens of the sea
They brought their nation's blessings to
The land of liberty
One day they'll tell the story
Of a day that's long gone by
When the Tall Ships came a-sailin'
With their masts up to the sky
And the lives of we that saw them
Will never be the same
And the world will all remember
The Day The Tall Ships Came.
Windjammer, sloop and ketch,
Brigantine and yawl,
From far off corners of the world
They left their ports of call
Great and noble ladies
True sirens of the sea
They brought their nation's blessings to
The land of liberty
Windjammer, sloop and ketch,
Brigantine and yawl,
From far off corners of the world
They left their ports of call
Great and noble ladies
True sirens of the sea
They brought their nation's blessings to
The land of liberty
Chris Evans
Now i know the words thank you
Познавай мир с нами!
Oh thanks!
ScreamerXremaercS
I listened to The Irish Rovers all the time as a kid, haven't heard this song in like 15 years, I love it
chengloki
I was stationed in New Port, R.I. back in '81 when they had the parade of tall ships. What beautiful visions!!! I believe this song came out about that time.
Shaun Olinger
1976. It was made for that year's tall ship convention.