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 Flower of Sweet Strabane
The Irish Rovers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'd roam for recreation and I'd seek for comfort still
But the fortune I would seek the most, you all might understand
Is to win the heart of Martha, the Flower of Sweet Straband
Her cheeks they are a rosy red, her hair a golden brown
And o'er her lilly white shoulders it carelessly flows down
She is one the loveliest creatures in the whole creation planned
If I had you lovely Martha away in Innisown
of in some lovely valley in the wild woods of Tyrone
I work my whole endeavor and I'd seek to work my plan
for my heart is captivated by the Flower of Sweet Straband
Oh now I'll go o're the Lagan down by the steamships tall
for now I'm bound for Amerikay across the briny foam
my ship is bound for Liverpool down by the Isle of Mann
so I'll say farewell and God Bless you My Flower of Sweet Straband
Well I've been in the Phoenix Park and in Killarney fair
The lovely glens of Antrim and the winding banks of Clare
In all my earthly travels I never yet met one
That could compare, I do declare, with the Flower of Sweet Straband
But since I cannot gain her love, no joy there is for me
And I must seek forgetfulness in lands across the sea
Unless she cares to follow me, I swear by my right hand
McKenna's face you'll ne'er more see, my Flower of Sweet Straband
So its farewell to sweet Derry Quay, New Mills and Waterside
I'll sail out o'er the ocean, whatever may betide
I'll sail away from Derry Quay out by the Isle of Man
And I'll bid farewell to Martha, the Flower of Sweet Straband
"The Flower of Sweet Strabane" is a traditional Irish ballad about a woman named Martha, who is described as one of the loveliest creatures in creation. The singer proclaims his love for Martha and wishes to win her heart, stating that he would travel the world in search of her. He describes her physical attributes, including her rosy cheeks, golden hair, and white shoulders. The singer laments that he cannot gain her love, and must seek forgetfulness in lands across the sea. He bids farewell to Martha and his home of Derry Quay, as he sets sail for America.
The song is a classic Irish ballad, showcasing the beauty of Ireland and its people. It is a story of unrequited love and the pain of leaving home. The singer longs for the love of Martha, but ultimately must leave without her. The song is filled with beautiful imagery, describing the landscape of Ireland, the sea, and the singer's longing for his love.
Line by Line Meaning
If I were King of Ireland's Isle and had all things at my will
If I had unlimited power and control over Ireland, with everything at my disposal
I'd roam for recreation and I'd seek for comfort still
I would travel for pleasure and seek comfort and happiness
But the fortune I would seek the most, you all might understand
However, the most important thing I would want in life is something you may understand
Is to win the heart of Martha, the Flower of Sweet Straband
I desire to have the love of Martha, who I consider to be the most beautiful woman
Her cheeks they are a rosy red, her hair a golden brown
Martha has beautiful reddish cheeks and golden brown hair
And o'er her lilly white shoulders it carelessly flows down
Her hair falls casually over her pure white shoulders
She is one the loveliest creatures in the whole creation planned
Martha is one of the most beautiful creations in the world
And my heart is captivated by the flower of Sweet Straband
My heart is deeply attracted to Martha
If I had you lovely Martha away in Innisown
If I had Martha with me in Innisown
of in some lovely valley in the wild woods of Tyrone
Or in a beautiful valley in the wild woods of Tyrone
I work my whole endeavor and I'd seek to work my plan
I would work as hard as I could to make Martha mine
for my heart is captivated by the Flower of Sweet Straband
Because my heart is deeply and entirely captivated by Martha
Oh now I'll go o're the Lagan down by the steamships tall
Now, I am going over Lagan River and down by the tall steamships
for now I'm bound for Amerikay across the briny foam
I am headed for America across the salty ocean waters
my ship is bound for Liverpool down by the Isle of Mann
My ship is headed towards Liverpool and will pass by Isle of Mann
so I'll say farewell and God Bless you My Flower of Sweet Straband
So, I bid farewell and God Bless you, my beloved Martha
Well I've been in the Phoenix Park and in Killarney fair
I have visited Phoenix Park and attended the Killarney fair
The lovely glens of Antrim and the winding banks of Clare
I've also explored the beautiful glens of Antrim and the winding banks of Clare
In all my earthly travels I never yet met one
In all my earthly travels, I've never met anyone
That could compare, I do declare, with the Flower of Sweet Straband
Who could be compared, I assure you, with my beloved Martha
But since I cannot gain her love, no joy there is for me
Since I can't win Martha's love, there is no joy in my life
And I must seek forgetfulness in lands across the sea
I must look for ways to forget her in other places
Unless she cares to follow me, I swear by my right hand
Unless she decides to come with me, I vow upon my right hand
McKenna's face you'll ne'er more see, my Flower of Sweet Straband
You will never see my face again, my beloved Martha, if you choose not to follow me
So its farewell to sweet Derry Quay, New Mills and Waterside
So, I bid farewell to Derry Quay, New Mills, and Waterside
I'll sail out o'er the ocean, whatever may betide
I will sail across the ocean, no matter what happens
I'll sail away from Derry Quay out by the Isle of Man
I will sail far away from Derry Quay, over by the Isle of Man
And I'll bid farewell to Martha, the Flower of Sweet Straband
And I will say goodbye to my dear Martha, the Flower of Sweet Straband
Contributed by Cole O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@jimdkat1
Was reared with Joe and his family in Alexander Street,Ballymena.I remember his dad Paddy and all the family.Still see his sister Nancy from time to time.
@haysfordays
Listening to Joe here, you can really hear the roots of what became American Country music. The phrasing and little grace notes. Joe is as smooth as they come.
@michaelduggan1890
Joe Millar was underrated , nice voice , thank you .
@firebleeder
R.I.P. Joe Millar
@TelamonianTeukros
Thank you for posting this. I come from a poor family in Port Huron, Michigan and when I was about 12 my mother bought a ticket for me to see the Irish Rovers by myself. This song and First Day on the Somme burned holes in my memory, so glad to have found both of them in just the past year. Joe Millar had such a voice, like velvet, like old soft leather, like the finest Shiraz you've ever tasted. I think he also performed The Mountains of Mourne that night but I have never found any recording.
@1993Eagle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRJZ4UcvE2c in case you didn´t found it in the past six years. :)
@tlharts
I happened upon this group by accident I'm part Irish and I love this group I've always liked Irish Music
@shenidan2023
Just stunning
@sprigmom1
Joe is such a wonderful balladeer, with such a rich voice. Always makes me close my eyes and sway!
@jessestewart2927
by far the best of the Irish Rover singers.