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 Sand And The Foam
The Irish Rovers Lyrics
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Muting the morning she heralds
Dew on the grass, like the tears the night wept
Gone long before, the day wears old
Times stills the singing, a child holds so dear
And Im just beginning to hear
Gone are the pathways, the child followed home
Pressed in the pages of some aging text
Lies an old lily crumbling
Marking a moment of childish respects
Long since betrayed and forgotten
Times stills the singing, a child holds so dear
And Im just beginning to hear
Gone are the pathways, the child followed home
Gone, like the sand and the foam
Dawn like an angel, lights on the step
Muting the morning she heralds
Dew on the grass, like the tears the night wept
Gone long before, the day wears old
Times stills the singing, a child holds so dear
And Im just beginning to hear
Gone are the pathways, the child followed home
Gone, like the sand and the foam
Gone, like the sand
Gone, like the sand and the foam
"The Sand and the Foam" is a beautifully written song that speaks to the fleeting nature of time and the memories that fade away with it. The song captures the essence of a moment, describing the dawn breaking like an angel, dew on the grass, and the stillness of the morning. The singer reflects on the passage of time and the memories that have been forgotten, just like the sand and the foam on a beach that is constantly changing.
The lyrics paint a vivid picture of childhood memories, for example, the child following pathways home that are no longer there. The song describes the preciousness of these memories and how they are slowly slipping away, just like the sand and the foam on a beach that is constantly eroding.
The song echoes the nostalgia that many people feel when they reflect on their childhood memories, and the bittersweet realization that these memories are fading away. It is a song that touches the heart and speaks to the human experience, reminding us of the impermanence of life and the importance of cherishing the memories we have before they slip away forever.
Line by Line Meaning
Dawn like an angel, lights on the step
The morning is peaceful and bright as the sun rises.
Muting the morning she heralds
The dawn is a gentle reminder of hope and new beginnings.
Dew on the grass, like the tears the night wept
The tears of the night are evident in the morning dew on the grass.
Gone long before, the day wears old
The beauty of the dawn fades away as the day grows old.
Times stills the singing, a child holds so dear
Time has stopped the joyous singing of a child that was once cherished.
And Im just beginning to hear
The realization of what has been lost is starting to set in.
Gone are the pathways, the child followed home
The paths that led the child to happiness are now lost.
Gone, like the sand and the foam
Just like the sand and the foam, the memories of the child have been washed away by time.
Pressed in the pages of some aging text
The memories of the child are now only recorded in an old book.
Lies an old lily crumbling
On the pages of the book, there is an old lily that is now decaying and forgotten.
Marking a moment of childish respects
The lily symbolizes a moment of respect and innocence from the child's past.
Long since betrayed and forgotten
However, that moment is now long gone and forgotten.
Gone, like the sand
Just like the sand slipping through one's fingers, so too have the memories disappeared.
Gone, like the sand and the foam
The final line emphasizes the fleeting nature of memories and how quickly they can disappear.
Contributed by Alexander R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Jacks Henhouse
Thank you! I have this LP, it's tragic that songs were left off the CD.
Ryan Jones
You're welcome, I agree it is too bad these songs were left off the CD.