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 Roving Trade
The Irish Rovers Lyrics
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They're picking potatoes and milking the cow
But we haven't time for shovel or sow
We work at the roving trade
Here's to the music and here's to the night
And here's to the whiskey the water of life
Here's to the lassies we're holding them tight
Back on the road we're going to be
Rogues and romances of high degree
The lassies are happy whenever they see
The boys of the roving trade
Here's to the music and here's to the night
And here's to the whiskey the water of life
Here's to the lassies we're holding them tight
And here's to the roving trade
Dublin and Cork and Galway are fine
And Limerick is beautiful most of the time
But Belfast is never to far from me mind
I miss her whenever I roam
Here's to the music and here's to the night
And here's to the whiskey the water of life
Here's to the lassies we're holding them tight
And here's to the roving trade
We've traveled the world for many's a mile
Singin' and playin' and bringin' a smile
And soon we'll be back in the Emerald Isle
For Paddy is headed for home
Here's to the music and here's to the night
And here's to the whiskey the water of life
Here's to the lassies we're holding them tight
And here's to the roving trade
"Diddly doo dum" to the tune of the chorus twice
The Irish Rovers's song, The Roving Trade, is an ode to the life of itinerant musicians who wander the world, making music for a living. The first verse describes the contrast between the hard work required on farms and their own roving trade, which demands no physical labor but instead revolves around music, whisky, and women. The second verse exalts the carefree lifestyle of the roving musicians, which includes both rogue behavior and romantic conquests. The third verse recalls Ireland and the many cities they have performed in, and expresses a homesickness for Belfast specifically. The final verse celebrates the musicians' global travels and their imminent return to the Emerald Isle, where they will be reunited with their homeland and their loved ones.
Overall, The Roving Trade is a celebration of the life of an itinerant musician. The lyrics express the joy and freedom of such a life, as well as the inevitable longing for home and loved ones. It glorifies the life of a wandering musician, highlighting the beauty and pleasure of travel and its inherent challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
The boys in the farm are working the plow
The men on the farm are busy tilling the soil with a plow.
They're picking potatoes and milking the cow
They are harvesting potatoes and milking the cows that reside on the farm.
But we haven't time for shovel or sow
We don't have the time to farm, we are busy working as travelling tradesmen.
We work at the roving trade
We are engaged in the trade of traveling and entertaining through music and drinking.
Here's to the music and here's to the night
A toast to music and the night, wishing for joyful and festive times.
And here's to the whiskey the water of life
A toast to whiskey, a cherished and vital beverage.
Here's to the lassies we're holding them tight
A toast to the girls that we are fond of and holding closely.
And here's to the roving trade
Another toast to the entertaining and lively trade of travelling and performing.
Back on the road we're going to be
We will be back to travelling again soon.
Rogues and romances of high degree
People with dubious character and romantic interests of high intensity.
The lassies are happy whenever they see
The girls are joyful whenever we arrive to entertain them.
The boys of the roving trade
We are the men who work in the entertaining and travelling trade.
Dublin and Cork and Galway are fine
Dublin, Cork, and Galway are wonderful places to visit.
And Limerick is beautiful most of the time
Limerick is also lovely most of the time.
But Belfast is never to far from me mind
However, Belfast is never out of my thoughts.
I miss her whenever I roam
I long for Belfast whenever I am travelling elsewhere.
We've traveled the world for many's a mile
We have journeyed the globe for numerous miles.
Singin' and playin' and bringin' a smile
We have been performing music and entertaining, bringing smiles to people's faces.
And soon we'll be back in the Emerald Isle
Soon, we'll be back in Ireland, the Emerald Isle.
For Paddy is headed for home
A guy named Paddy is travelling back home.
Contributed by Oliver C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ian Burt
on Bluenose
You have missed out a verse.