The Sloop John B
A popular and long-running Canadian-Irish folk group that saw their beginni… Read Full Bio ↴A popular and long-running Canadian-Irish folk group that saw their beginning in the 1960s, The Irish Rovers are particularly well-known for their hit recording of Shel Silverstein's "The Unicorn," although a great many more of their characteristically happy and oft-comical songs remain well-known to this day. In 2010, the band celebrated 45 years as recording artists, with their latest CD, "Gracehill Fair" and filming the DVD/television special "Home in Ireland", shot entirely on-location, throughout the northwest coast of Ireland. George Millar says, “It’s basically The Irish Rovers ‘Coming Home’ because this is our home, for all of us. We want to show the world what the northwest Irish coast is like. I’ve traveled the world now for over 40 years and there’s nothing like it.”

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 Sloop John B
The Irish Rovers Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

well We come on the Sloop John B
My grandfather and me
all Around Nassau town we did roam
Drinking all night
Got into a fight
Well I feel so broke up
I want to go home
So hoist up the John B's sail
See how the main sail sets
Call for the Captain ashore
Let me go home, let me go home
I want to go home
Well I feel so broke up
I want to go home

now The first mate he got drunk
And broke in the Cap'n's trunk
The constable had to come and take him away
Sheriff John Stone
Why don't you leave me alone
Well I feel so broke up, I want to go home

hoist up the John B's sails
See how the main sail sets
Call for the Captain ashore
Let me go home, let me go home




I want to go home, let me go home
Why don't you let me go home

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to The Irish Rovers' song "Sloop John B" tell the story of a young man and his grandfather who set sail on a boat called the John B around Nassau town. They spend the night drinking and get into a fight, causing the singer to feel upset and want to go back home. As they sail, the first mate gets drunk and breaks into the captain's trunk, leading to his arrest by the constable. Throughout the song, the singer pleas with anyone who will listen to let him go home, as he is tired, upset and broken-hearted.


The theme of homesickness and longing for a return to a familiar place is a common one in folk music, and the lyrics to "Sloop John B" are no exception. The idea of being cast away from home, surrounded by strangers and unknown places can be an overwhelming experience, and the singer is no exception, as he feels disconnected from his surroundings and longs for a return to the familiar comforts of home. The repetitiveness of the chorus lyric "let me go home" conveys a desperate need to return to a safe and secure environment, demonstrating the importance of home in times of distress.


Interestingly, "Sloop John B" was originally a traditional folk song from the Bahamas, and was first recorded in the 1920s by the Bahamian singer "Blind Blake". It tells the story of a similar experience, where sailors aboard the sloop John B get into a fight and are arrested. The song was later popularized by the American folk group The Weavers in the 1950s, and then by The Beach Boys in their 1966 album "Pet Sounds". The Irish Rovers' version was released in 1968 and became a hit in North America, Europe and Australia.


Line by Line Meaning

Well We come on the Sloop John B
My grandfather and I arrived on the Sloop John B


all Around Nassau town we did roam
We wandered around Nassau town


Drinking all night
We drank all night long


Got into a fight
We got involved in a brawl


Well I feel so broke up
I feel devastated


I want to go home
I desire to return home


So hoist up the John B's sail
Raise the John B's sail


See how the main sail sets
Observe how the main sail positions


Call for the Captain ashore
Summon the Captain on land


Let me go home, let me go home
Allow me to go back home


Well I feel so broke up
I feel shattered


I want to go home
I wish to return home


now The first mate he got drunk
The first mate became intoxicated


And broke in the Cap'n's trunk
He broke into the Captain's trunk


The constable had to come and take him away
The police had to arrive and take him into custody


Sheriff John Stone
A reference to Sheriff John Stone


Why don't you leave me alone
Why don't you stop bothering me?


Let me go home, let me go home
Allow me to go back home


I want to go home, let me go home
I desire to return home, please let me go


Why don't you let me go home
Why don't you permit me to return home?




Contributed by Alice V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@glenbelson5485

Just wonderful to see the joy of men singing, escaping the endless criticism and put downs they face in the modern world.

@oscarrees-thompson6484

There is not much that impresses me about Britain anymore even though I am an Army Veteran and getting on in years. But these guys remind me where I come from and we have some culture still left the doo gooders haven't taken away.

@jrapprentice

Do Gooders? WTF?

@villhelm

Do gooders who have opened our borders and clapped while our culture has been displaced all over the nation while shouting ‘racist’ at anyone who doesn’t want to see our nation taken over and the natives displaced

@chrispooler675

Love these guys, seen them perform a few times, and got horribly drunk with them once. All of them are true gentlemen, and always make time for everyone. Best of Britain 👍

@jonnygranville281

Thank you. I always picture them as you described. Nice blokes that'll share a pint an swap stories.

@chrispooler675

@@jonnygranville281 genuinely lovely people, if you can get to see them at a smaller venue, do so

@jamesdakrn

Didn’t get into a fight? Hope they didn’t get broke up and had to go home

@chrisevans3170

I would love to get drunk with them

@pateris

Thanks for sharing !

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