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 Spanish Lady
The Irish Rovers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
at the hour of twelve at night,
Who should I see but a Spanish lady,
washing her feet by candlelight.
Lady I've come to court-you, New York in favor's 'bout to win
and if you'll smile upon me
Sunday night I'll call again
Whack fol the toora, toora laddy
Whack fol the foora loora lay
Lady I have a gold and silver
Lady I have a house and land
I've ships on the ocean
I'll be....
Whack fol the toora, toora laddy
Whack fol the foora loora lay
My Captain is a boatsy captain,
Spain is known across the sea
The Captain....
Don't you come away with me
Well I don't need your father's fortune
Fame is nothing much to me
I've surfed the world from Antrim land
With a pettycoat high above my knee
Whack fol the toora, toora laddy
Whack fol the foora loora lay
The Spanish Lady by The Irish Rovers is a catchy number that combines playful Irish jigs with a hint of romantic passion. The song begins with the singer traveling to Dublin city at midnight, where he encounters a beautiful Spanish lady washing her feet by candlelight. He asks her to court him, promising to return to see her on Sunday if she smiles upon him. The chorus, “Whack fol the toora, toora laddy, Whack fol the foora loora lay,” is an example of traditional Irish nonsensical lyrics but adds to the fun and upbeat nature of the song.
In the second stanza, the singer boasts of his wealth, including owning a house, land, and ships on the ocean. He tells the lady that he is a captain, sailing the same seas as she and hoping to win her heart. However, she refuses his advances, stating that she is already promised to a boatswain captain, and fame means nothing to her. The song's final lines tell of the singer's travels around the world, including the north coast of Ireland, where he encountered women wearing petticoats high above the knee.
Line by Line Meaning
As I went down to Dublin city, at the hour of twelve at night,
In the middle of the night, I made my way to Dublin city.
Who should I see but a Spanish lady, washing her feet by candlelight.
To my surprise, a lady from Spain was washing her feet with the light of a candle.
Lady I've come to court-you, New York in favor's 'bout to win and if you'll smile upon me, Sunday night I'll call again
I have come to court you, as New York is about to prosper, and if you give me a sign of interest, I will return Sunday night.
Whack fol the toora, toora laddy Whack fol the foora loora lay
Repetition of the chorus.
Lady I have a gold and silver, Lady I have a house and land, I've ships on the ocean
I boast of having wealth in the form of gold, silver, properties, and ships sailing on the ocean.
I'll be.... Whack fol the toora, toora laddy Whack fol the foora loora lay
The line is incomplete and is followed by repetition of the chorus.
My Captain is a boatsy captain, Spain is known across the sea The Captain.... Don't you come away with me
My Captain is a captain of the sea and the country of Spain is renowned as a maritime power. However, I warn you not to join me.
Well I don't need your father's fortune Fame is nothing much to me I've surfed the world from Antrim land With a pettycoat high above my knee
I am not interested in your family's wealth, and fame means little to me. I have traveled around the world from Antrim land, and I dress in a way that may be considered unconventional.
Whack fol the toora, toora laddy Whack fol the foora loora lay
Repetition of the chorus.
Contributed by Levi O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@theatagamer90
As I went down to Dublin city,
At the hour of twelve at night,
Who should I see but a Spanish lady,
Washing her feet by candlelight.
Lady I've come to court-you, New York in favor's 'bout to win
And if you'll smile upon me
Sunday night I'll call again
[Chorus:]
Whack fol the toora, toora laddy
Whack fol the foora loora lay
Lady I have a gold and silver
Lady I have a house and land
I've ships on the ocean
I'll be...
Whack fol the toora, toora laddy
Whack fol the foora loora lay
My Captain is a boatsy captain,
Spain is known across the sea
The Captain...
Don't you come away with me
Well I don't need your father's fortune
Fame is nothing much to me
I've surfed the world from Antrim land
With a pettycoat high above my knee
Whack fol the toora, toora laddy
Whack fol the foora loora lay
@TheYukonnahanni
Ah !! My Grandfather ,The Sea Captain , loved this Song !! Used to sing this Song to us from Ship to Shore when my Twin Sister & I were little !! Then say , Scamper off to Bed , my Darlings !! Ah !!WE KNEW HE WANTED TO TALK TO OUR GRANDMOTHER !!, without our little ears listening ) !! Great Song , Great Memories..
@Acord718
Respect from Puerto Rico🇵🇷🇮🇪
@cooltrainervaultboy-39
Not the lyrics I'm accustomed to, but damn does those instruments make you want to get up and dance!
@turtleemperor1446
One of my favorite Songs back when i was a child
@tashacrocker
AWESOME!!!
@Irishmankillen666
Tis a good song now lol yer woman sure speaks the truth in it
@chancewatkins5071
Thanks for sharing; Jesus Christ Bless! :)
@matthewmcsheffrey2522
🌹🌹🌹
@PrinsaVossum
This is like, the 4th version of this song I've listened to today. How many different versions does this song have?!
@gbalkam
Well, it is a folk song, so likely a few hundred, maybe only a dozen recorded.