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 First Love In Life
The Irish Rovers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And Ferlin in Derry is where I've begun.
All over the country, I've spent all my cash.
With Kitty and Ginny and Mary McNash.
My father disowned me for being such a rake.
And for spending my time in such frolicksome ways.
The girls, they are sweet, but I'll have you all know
That my first love in life is the pure whiskey, oh!
If I chance for to go to the town of Kildare
All the girls all around me they flock on the square
Some bring me a bottle and some bring me cake.
And they do it behind their old pure parents' back.
There's one from McCorville and one from Carlisle.
And another one from Derry my heart has beguiled.
But I'd trade every one for a drop of the pure,
For my first love is whiskey. The heart it can cure.
Riddley-i-di, riddley-i-di-di, riddley-i-di-day.
To worry for riches, I'm never inclined.
For the greatest of misers must leave them behind.
With a glass in my hand and a girl on my knee
There's all a man needs for his pleasure, you see.
For I knew a man who had plenty of gold,
And I knew another who had twenty times more.
But they're both on their backs among nettles and stone.
So, my first love is whiskey and whiskey alone.
Riddley-i-di, riddley-i-di-di, riddley-i-di-day.
And now for the future, I mean to be wise.
And I'll look for the women that treated me kind.
I'll marry them all on the next Market Day,
If the clergy agree to the things that I say.
And when I am dead and my soul is at rest,
These women will come for to cry at my wake.
And they'll cover me over with whiskey so pure,
And I'll dance on the lid of my coffin and cheer.
Riddley-i-di, riddley-i-di-di, riddley-i-di-day.
The Irish Rovers's song "The First Love in Life" tells the story of a young man who loves to have fun and spend money on women and whiskey. He has been disowned by his father for his wild ways and is known for his reputation with the ladies. Although he enjoys the company of women, his true love is pure whiskey. The song speaks to the idea that material possessions and riches are fleeting and temporary, and that true happiness can be found in the simple pleasures of life, such as having a glass of whiskey in hand and a woman on one's knee. The song concludes with the man reflecting on his life and planning to marry the women who treated him kindly when he was younger, and spending eternity dancing on the lid of his coffin with a bottle of whiskey nearby.
Line by Line Meaning
I am a young fellow that's fond of my fun,
I am a carefree and joyful person who enjoys life.
And Ferlin in Derry is where I've begun.
I started my adventures in the town of Ferlin in Derry.
All over the country, I've spent all my cash.
I have traveled across the country and spent all my money.
With Kitty and Ginny and Mary McNash.
I have met and spent time with many different women, including Kitty, Ginny, and Mary McNash.
My father disowned me for being such a rake.
My father has rejected me for being a wild and reckless person.
And for spending my time in such frolicksome ways.
He disapproved of me spending my time having fun and being carefree.
The girls, they are sweet, but I'll have you all know
Although I enjoy spending time with women, it is not my ultimate passion.
That my first love in life is the pure whiskey, oh!
My true love and passion in life is pure whiskey.
If I chance for to go to the town of Kildare
If I happen to visit the town of Kildare...
All the girls all around me they flock on the square
...women come to gather around me.
Some bring me a bottle and some bring me cake.
These women bring me gifts of wine and food.
And they do it behind their old pure parents' back.
They do it secretly, without their parents knowing.
There's one from McCorville and one from Carlisle.
Among these women, there is one from McCorville and one from Carlisle.
And another one from Derry my heart has beguiled.
I am particularly smitten with a woman from Derry.
But I'd trade every one for a drop of the pure,
Despite my fondness for these women, pure whiskey is still my main passion.
For my first love is whiskey. The heart it can cure.
Whiskey is my first and truest love, it has a healing power.
To worry for riches, I'm never inclined.
I am not interested in wealth or riches.
For the greatest of misers must leave them behind.
Even the richest person will eventually leave their wealth behind when they die.
With a glass in my hand and a girl on my knee
All I need for happiness is a drink in my hand and a woman seated next to me.
There's all a man needs for his pleasure, you see.
These simple pleasures are all a man needs to be happy.
For I knew a man who had plenty of gold,
I knew a man who was very wealthy.
And I knew another who had twenty times more.
I knew of someone even wealthier than the first person.
But they're both on their backs among nettles and stone.
Both of these men have died and are now lying among weeds and rocks.
So, my first love is whiskey and whiskey alone.
This is why I know that my first love is pure whiskey.
And now for the future, I mean to be wise.
In the future, I plan to be more responsible and make better choices.
And I'll look for the women that treated me kind.
I will seek out the women who have been good to me in the past.
I'll marry them all on the next Market Day,
I plan to marry all of these women on the next Market Day.
If the clergy agree to the things that I say.
However, this will only happen if the clergy approves of my plan.
And when I am dead and my soul is at rest,
When I die and my soul has passed on...
These women will come for to cry at my wake.
...these women will attend my funeral and mourn my loss.
And they'll cover me over with whiskey so pure,
As tribute to my love of whiskey, they will douse me in pure whiskey.
And I'll dance on the lid of my coffin and cheer.
Even in death, I will celebrate my love of whiskey by dancing on the lid of my coffin.
Contributed by Michael Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Stan Armstrong
I grew up listening to this album. A kid of the inner city of Las Vegas Enjoy this masterpiece From Ireland. The Irish Rover's Opened my eyes to a whole new genre of music. I loved the British invasion, But this was almost a second wave of the Irish.
serge848
Thanks for uploading this album. I'd also like to thank my mother who bought this album when i was 4yrs old and listened to it all through my teens.
Days gone by
Aint nothing like a fine glass of the old irish tea to drown the sorrows in life
Hersh 341
I knew a man who had plenty of gold...
Max Mantell
Same song as the rake
Tetsugakumono
But better