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 Rattling Bog
The Irish Rovers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The bog down in the valley-o
Ho ro the rattlin' bog
The bog down in the valley-o
In that bog there was a tree
A rare tree, a rattlin' tree
In the bog down in the valley-o
chorus
And on that tree there was a limb
A rare limb, a rattlin' limb
The limb on the tree
And the tree in the bog
In the bog down in the valley-o
chorus
And on that limb there was a branch
A rare branch, a rattlin' branch
The branch on the limb
The limb on the tree
And the tree in the bog
In the bog down in the valley-o
chorus
And on that branch there was a twig
A rare twig, a rattlin' twig
The twig on the branch
The branch on the limb
The limb on the tree
And the tree in the bog
In the bog down in the valley-o
chorus
And on that twig there was a nest
A rare nest, a rattlin' nest
The nest on the twig
The twig on the branch
The branch on the limb
The limb on the tree
And the tree in the bog
In the bog down in the valley-o
chorus
And in that nest there was an egg
A rare egg, a rattlin' egg
The egg in the nest
The nest on the twig
The twig on the branch
The branch on the limb
The limb on the tree
And the tree in the bog
In the bog down in the valley-o
chorus
And on that egg there was a bird
A rare bird, a rattlin' bird
The bird on the egg
The egg in the nest
The nest on the twig
The twig on the branch
The branch on the limb
The limb on the tree
And the tree in the bog
In the bog down in the valley-o
chorus
And on that bird there was a feather
A rare feather, a rattlin' feather
The feather on the bird
The bird on the egg
The egg in the nest
The nest on the twig
The twig on the branch
The branch on the limb
The limb on the tree
And the tree in the bog
In the bog down in the valley-o
chorus
And on that feather there was a flea
A rare flea, a rattlin' flea
The flea in the feather
The feather on the bird
The bird on the egg
The egg in the nest
The nest on the twig
The twig on the branch
The branch on the limb
The limb on the tree
And the tree in the bog
In the bog down in the valley-o
chorus x4
"The Rattling Bog" is a traditional Irish folk song that tells the story of a bog located in a valley. The song begins with the refrain "ho ro the rattling bog, the bog down in the valley-o" that is repeated between each verse. The lyrics go on to describe the different elements that can be found in the bog, including a tree, a limb, a branch, a twig, a nest, an egg, a bird, a feather, and a flea. Each element is rare and rattling, which adds to the overall charm and whimsy of the song.
The song is thought to be a children’s song, and its repetitive lyrics and playful nature make it ideal for young children to learn and sing. The song’s upbeat tempo and catchy tune make it a popular choice at Irish weddings and social occasions. The song's lyrics also offer insight into the importance of the bog in Irish culture and folklore.
The lyrics of "The Rattling Bog" have been adapted and modified numerous times over the years, and different versions of the song can be found throughout Ireland and beyond. Some versions of the song include additional verses that describe other animals or elements that can be found in the bog, while others focus solely on the tree and its associated elements. The song's enduring popularity is a testament to its enduring appeal and the enduring fascination that the bog holds for Irish people and people around the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Ho ro the rattlin' bog
Celebrating and calling attention to the rattling bog mentioned in the song.
The bog down in the valley-o
Referring to the location of the bog that is being celebrated.
In that bog there was a tree
Introducing the existence of a tree within the bog.
A rare tree, a rattlin' tree
Emphasizing the unique nature of the tree in the bog.
The tree in the bog
Referring specifically to the tree within the bog previously mentioned.
And on that tree there was a limb
Introducing the presence of a limb on the unique tree in the bog.
A rare limb, a rattlin' limb
Noting the unusual aspect of the limb on the tree within the bog.
The limb on the tree
Referring to the specific limb previously introduced on the unique tree in the bog.
And on that limb there was a branch
Continuing to describe the unique features of the tree within the bog by introducing a branch on one of its limbs.
A rare branch, a rattlin' branch
Describing the unusual nature of the branch on the unique tree in the bog.
The branch on the limb
Referring to the specific branch on the specific limb on the unique tree within the bog.
And on that branch there was a twig
Introducing yet another aspect of the unique tree in the bog - a twig on one of its branches.
A rare twig, a rattlin' twig
Emphasizing the oddity of the twig found on the branch of the unique tree in the bog.
The twig on the branch
Referring to the specific twig found on the specific branch on the specific limb on the unique tree within the bog.
And on that twig there was a nest
Introducing the presence of a nest, found atop the twig on the branch on the limb on the unique tree in the bog.
A rare nest, a rattlin' nest
Noting the unusualness of the nest, found atop the twig on the branch on the limb on the unique tree in the bog.
The nest on the twig
Referring to the specific nest found atop the specific twig on the specific branch on the specific limb on the unique tree within the bog.
And in that nest there was an egg
Describing what was found in the nest - an egg - on the unique tree within the bog.
A rare egg, a rattlin' egg
Noting the unique nature of the egg found in the rattling nest atop the twig on the branch on the limb on the unique tree within the bog.
The egg in the nest
Referring specifically to the egg found in the nest described earlier atop the twig on the branch on the limb on the unique tree within the bog.
And on that egg there was a bird
Introducing the next unique aspect of the rattling bog - a bird that hatched from the rare egg found in the rattling nest atop the twig on the branch on the limb on the unique tree within the bog.
A rare bird, a rattlin' bird
Describing the oddity of the bird that hatched from the rare egg in the rattling nest atop the twig on the branch on the limb on the unique tree within the bog.
The bird on the egg
Referring specifically to the bird that hatched from the rare egg previously mentioned, atop the nest on the unique twig on the branch on the limb on the unique tree within the bog.
And on that bird there was a feather
Continuing the description of the unique items found in the rattling bog, introducing a feather on the rare bird that hatched from the rare egg in the rattling nest atop the twig on the branch on the limb on the unique tree within the bog.
A rare feather, a rattlin' feather
Highlighting the oddity of the feather found on the unique bird that hatched from the rare egg found in the rattling nest atop the twig on the branch on the limb on the unique tree within the bog.
The feather on the bird
Referring specifically to the feather found on the rare bird, which hatched from the rare egg found in the rattling nest atop the twig on the branch on the limb on the unique tree within the bog.
And on that feather there was a flea
Introducing the final unique item within the rattling bog - a flea found on the rare feather found on the rare bird that hatched from the rare egg found in the rattling nest atop the twig on the branch on the limb on the unique tree within the bog.
A rare flea, a rattlin' flea
Describing the unusualness of the flea found on the feather on the bird that hatched from the egg in the rare nest found atop the twig on the branch on the limb on the unique tree within the rattling bog.
The flea in the feather
Referring specifically to the flea that was found on the feather on the rare bird that hatched from the rare egg found in the rattling nest atop the unique twig on the branch on the limb on the unique tree within the rattling bog.
Contributed by Ethan Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@elizabethholis237
I love this song. I came here from the Wedding party signing it a 5am. She does a longer version and it's awesome.
@clarence4343
Same same
@isamartin3201
Me too
@TheNeoNihilist
I think I just saw this on reddit it was epic!!!!
@zephyr489
@@TheNeoNihilist me tooo
@whatevs00
I’d be more surprised if some of us WEREN’T here from that clip
@michaelfox7055
My dad can sing this word for word. Gotta love my heritage🇮🇪🇺🇸
@dntskdnttll
He is not the only one, I have met others of my parents' age who know it... Not all Irish, either. I assume that some teachers (who from their story taught it in Music at school) would have had Irish heritage. Unfortunately it seems like this kind of thing has been devalued and started to be lost over time. I hope there is a real revival like other descendants of immigrants have tried to do. <3 <3
@matthewcavrich9468
My wife occasionally breaks out in this, I'm here for it!
@rogartstudio
Anyone came here after the wedding girl singing at 5AM?