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 Gypsy Rover
The Irish Rovers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
and down through the valley so shady;
he whistled and he sang,
till the green woods rang,
and he won the heart of a lady.
Chorus:
ah di doo ah di doo dah day,
ah di doo ah de da-a-y
till the green woods rang,
and he won the heart of a lady.
She left her father's castle gate;
she left her own fond lover,
she left her servants and her estate,
to follow the gypsy rover.
Chorus
Her father he saddled up his fastest steed,
and he roamed the valleys all over,
he sought his daughter at great speed,
and the whistling gypsy rover.
Chorus
He came at last to a mansion fine,
down by the river clade,
and there was music, and there was wine,
for the gypsy and his lady.
Chorus
Well he's no gypsy my father she said,
but lord of these lands all over,
and i will stay till me dying day,
with my whistling gypsy rover.
Chorus
The lyrics to The Irish Rovers' "The Gypsy Rover" tells the story of a young woman who falls in love with a gypsy rover who comes over the hill and through the valley, whistling and singing until he wins her heart. Despite being from a wealthy family, including a father who disapproves of their relationship, she leaves everything behind to follow him. Her father goes in search of his daughter, but ultimately finds her living in a mansion with the gypsy, where they are surrounded by music and wine. The father realizes that the gypsy is not really a gypsy, but instead a lord who owns lands all over. The daughter chooses to stay with him, declaring her love for the whistling gypsy rover.
The story told in "The Gypsy Rover" is a classic folk tale of a young woman choosing adventure and romance over the restrictions of her expected societal role. The song's catchy melody and upbeat rhythm add to the allure of the gypsy lifestyle and the joys of falling in love. Additionally, the contrast between the father's expectations and the daughter's desires illustrate the conflict between tradition and personal desires.
Line by Line Meaning
The gypsy rover came over the hill,
A wanderer of dubious origin arrived from the hill.
and down through the valley so shady;
He descended from the hill into the shadowy valley.
he whistled and he sang,
He produced melodious sounds with his mouth.
till the green woods rang,
Birds in the forest echoed his tune.
and he won the heart of a lady.
He successfully captured the affection of a woman's heart.
Chorus:
Refrain:
ah di doo ah di doo dah day,
Ah di doo ah di doo dah day,
ah di doo ah de da-a-y
Ah di doo ah de da-a-y
She left her father's castle gate;
A woman departed from her father's castle entrance.
she left her own fond lover,
She abandoned her affectionate partner.
she left her servants and her estate,
She relinquished her personnel and property.
to follow the gypsy rover.
She pursued the itinerant man.
Chorus
Refrain
Her father he saddled up his fastest steed,
Her father rode his quickest horse.
and he roamed the valleys all over,
He searched through various valleys.
he sought his daughter at great speed,
He frantically looked for his daughter.
and the whistling gypsy rover.
He also sought after the itinerant man who whistled.
Chorus
Refrain
He came at last to a mansion fine,
He eventually arrived at an impressive estate.
down by the river clade,
Located close to the Clade river.
and there was music, and there was wine,
Various forms of entertainment and alcoholic beverages were present.
for the gypsy and his lady.
The itinerant man and the woman he won the heart of, were enjoying the festivities.
Chorus
Refrain
Well he's no gypsy my father she said,
The daughter explained to her father that the man he had been seeking was not actually a wanderer.
but lord of these lands all over,
Instead, he was the owner of vast amounts of property.
and i will stay till me dying day,
She vowed to remain with him for the rest of her life.
with my whistling gypsy rover.
Referring fondly to the man who won her heart, the itinerant man.
Chorus
Refrain
Contributed by Natalie G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ian Burt
on Bluenose
You have missed out a verse.