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 Jolly Roving Tar
The Irish Rovers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Safe upon the shore
In Belfast town we'd like to stay
And go to sea no more
We'll go into a public house
And drink till we're content
For the lassies they will love us
Till our money is all spent
So pass the flowin' bowl
Boys there's whiskey in the jar
And we'll drink to all the lassies
And the jolly roving tar
Oh Johnny did you miss me
When the nights were long and cold
Or did you find another love
In your arms to hold
Says he I thought of only you
While on the sea afar
So come up the stairs and cuddle
With your jolly roving tar
So pass the flowin' bowl
Boys there's whiskey in the jar
And we'll drink to all the lassies
And the jolly roving tar
Well in each other's arms they rolled
Till the break of day
When the sailor rose and said farewell
I must be on me way
Ah don't you leave me Johnny lad
I thought you'd marry my
Says he I can't be married
For I'm married to the sea
So pass the flowin' bowl
Boys there's whiskey in the jar
And we'll drink to all the lassies
And the jolly roving tar
Well come all you bonnie lasses
And a warning take by me
And never trust and Irishman
An inch above your knee
He'll tease you and he'll squeeze you
And when he's had his fun
He'll leave you in the morning
With a daughter or a son
So pass the flowin' bowl
Boys there's whiskey in the jar
And we'll drink to all the lassies
And the jolly roving tar
So pass the flowin' bowl
Boys there's whiskey in the jar
And we'll drink to all the lassies
And the jolly roving tar
The Irish Rovers’ song “The Jolly Roving Tar” is a playful and bittersweet tune highlighting the difficult lives of sailors on the sea, and the inevitable attraction and heartache that comes with their chosen lifestyle. The chorus invites all to participate in drinking whiskey from a overflowing bowl and drinking to the health of the lassies and the jolly roving tar. The first verse sees the sailor team back up on land, having successfully navigated the sea, but conflicts arise as they lament their married life to the sea which send them hopping from one port to another. The sailor admits that they would not mind spending a few more days on solid land, spending their well-earned coin, and wooing the local ladies. It's clear that they are a little tired of the drama and troubles that comes with life on the sea, favouring a more stable life anchored ashore.
In the second verse, we see the focus shift towards the relationships of the sailors. Johnny’s lover asks him if he's missed her, to which he replies that he's thought of nothing else while he's been away. The lyrics describe the intimacy between them as they cuddle together, reluctantly separated in the morning after a goodbye kiss. However, with bittersweet undertones, Johnny confesses that he can never marry her, for he is happily married to the sea.
In the final verse, the song comes to a close with a warning to all the women listening to the tale of these sailors. They are warned never to trust an Irishman beyond the extent of their knee, for they are known to be wild and adventurous, exploring the world while leaving broken hearts in their wake. The song thus concludes with a final round of whiskey to the lassies and the jolly roving tar, presenting a light-hearted yet sorrowful glimpse of the lives of sailors during that era.
Line by Line Meaning
Well here we are, we're back again
We've returned home safely
Safe upon the shore
We're happy to be back on land
In Belfast town we'd like to stay
We're considering settling down for a while
And go to sea no more
We're tired of a life at sea and want to stay on land
We'll go into a public house
We'll go to a local tavern
And drink till we're content
We'll drink until we're satisfied
For the lassies they will love us
The ladies will find us charming
Till our money is all spent
But we'll spend all of our money on them
Oh Johnny did you miss me
Did you think of me while I was away
When the nights were long and cold
When it was difficult to sleep
Or did you find another love
Did you start a new relationship
In your arms to hold
With someone else instead of me
Says he I thought of only you
Johnny responds that he only thought of his lover
While on the sea afar
While he was far away at sea
So come up the stairs and cuddle
Come upstairs with me and snuggle
With your jolly roving tar
With your happy sailor
Well in each other's arms they rolled
They spent the night together
Till the break of day
Until morning
When the sailor rose and said farewell
When the sailor got up to leave
I must be on me way
I have to leave
Ah don't you leave me Johnny lad
Don't leave me, Johnny boy
I thought you'd marry my
I thought we'd get married
Says he I can't be married
Johnny responds that he can't get married
For I'm married to the sea
Because he's committed to a life at sea
Well come all you bonnie lasses
Listen, pretty ladies
And a warning take by me
Take this as a warning from me
And never trust and Irishman
Don't trust an Irishman
An inch above your knee
Anywhere close to your body
He'll tease you and he'll squeeze you
He'll seduce and manipulate you
And when he's had his fun
When he's done using you
He'll leave you in the morning
He'll abandon you the next day
With a daughter or a son
With a child to raise on your own
So pass the flowin' bowl
Let's keep the drinks coming
Boys there's whiskey in the jar
There's plenty of whiskey to go around
And we'll drink to all the lassies
Let's toast to all the women
And the jolly roving tar
And to the happy sailor
Contributed by Josiah J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ian Burt
on Bluenose
You have missed out a verse.