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 Titanic
The Irish Rovers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
1912 IT BEING THE YEAR
IRISH PRIDE WAS IN THE AIR
THEIR HEARTS WERE FULL OF CHEER
THE WORLD STOOD IN AMAZEMENT
FOR THEY'D NEVER SEEN BEFORE
SUCH A STATELY QUEEN TO RULE THE WAVES
AND SAIL FROM SHORE TO SHORE
HER LINES WERE SLEEK AND BOLD
SHE SPARKLED LIKE THE JEWELS BRIGHT
A WONDER TO BEHOLD
THE GENTRY SAILED AWAY IN STYLE
FINE WINES DID FREELY FLOW
WHILE THE SECOND CLASS IN STEERAGE WERE
ALL QUARTERED DOWN BELOW
ROLL ON TITANIC ROLL,
YOU'RE THE PRIDE OF THE WHITE STAR LINE
ROLL ON TITANIC ROLL,
INTO THE MISTS OF TIME
ROLL ON TITANIC ROLL,
YOU'RE THE PRIDE OF THE WHITE STAR LINE
ROLL ON TITANIC ROLL,
INTO THE MISTS OF TIME
WELL THE CAPTAIN SAID FULL SPEED AHEAD
WE'LL SHOW THE WORLD HER MIGHT
SO KEEP THE BOILERS STOKED ME BOYS
WE'LL RACE HER THROUGH THE NIGHT
WE'LL OWN THE FASTEST RECORD
FOR THE CROSSING OF THE SEA
AND THE RMS TITANIC SHE'LL GO DOWN IN HISTORY
ROLL ON TITANIC ROLL,
YOU'RE THE PRIDE OF THE WHITE STAR LINE
ROLL ON TITANIC ROLL,
INTO THE MISTS OF TIME
ROLL ON TITANIC ROLL,
YOU'RE THE PRIDE OF THE WHITE STAR LINE
ROLL ON TITANIC ROLL,
INTO THE MISTS OF TIME
ON THE 14TH NIGHT OF APRIL
WHEN THE SHIP WAS FAR FROM LAND
DREAMS WERE TORN ASUNDER
AS CRUEL FATE BROUGHT DOWN HER HAND
TITANIC STRUCK AN ICEBERG
AND SHE SLIPPED BENEATH THE WAVES
AND FIFTEEN HUNDRED AND SEVENTEEN SOULS WENT TO THEIR WATERY GRAVE
ROLL ON TITANIC ROLL,
YOU'RE THE PRIDE OF THE WHITE STAR LINE
ROLL ON TITANIC ROLL,
INTO THE MISTS OF TIME
ROLL ON TITANIC ROLL,
YOU'RE THE PRIDE OF THE WHITE STAR LINE
ROLL ON TITANIC ROLL,
INTO THE MISTS OF TIME
A HUNDRED YEARS HAVE COME
AND GONE AND STILL WE KNOW HER NAME
WHEN A VOYAGE BOUND FOR GLORY
TURNED TO TRAGEDY AND SHAME
IT'S A NIGHT TO BE REMEMBERED
FOR MAN'S OWN FRAILTY
WHEN THE MIGHTY SHIP TITANIC SANK
TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA
ROLL ON TITANIC ROLL,
YOU'RE THE PRIDE OF THE WHITE STAR LINE
ROLL ON TITANIC ROLL,
INTO THE MISTS OF TIME
ROLL ON TITANIC ROLL,
YOU'RE THE PRIDE OF THE WHITE STAR LINE
ROLL ON TITANIC ROLL,
INTO THE MISTS OF TIME
ROLL ON TITANIC ROLL,
YOU'RE THE PRIDE OF THE WHITE STAR LINE
ROLL ON TITANIC ROLL,
INTO THE MISTS OF TIME
ROLL ON TITANIC ROLL,
YOU'RE THE PRIDE OF THE WHITE STAR LINE
ROLL ON TITANIC ROLL,
INTO THE MISTS OF TIME
ROLL ON TITANIC ROLL,
YOU'RE THE PRIDE OF THE WHITE STAR LINE
ROLL ON TITANIC ROLL,
INTO THE MISTS OF TIME
ROLL ON TITANIC ROLL,
YOU'RE THE PRIDE OF THE WHITE STAR LINE
ROLL ON TITANIC ROLL,
INTO THE MISTS OF TIME
The Irish Rovers' song "The Titanic" is a tribute to the RMS Titanic, the infamous ship that struck an iceberg and sank in the North Atlantic on April 15, 1912. The song begins by describing the pride that Belfast, where the ship was built, felt about the Titanic as it set sail on its maiden voyage. The ship is described as a "stately queen" with "sleek and bold" lines, and the lyrics note that while the wealthy passengers enjoyed fine wines, those in steerage were "quartered down below." The chorus, "Roll on Titanic roll, you're the pride of the White Star Line, into the mists of time," captures the sense of awe and hubris surrounding the ship's short but storied journey.
However, the lyrics take a sharp turn in the final verses, as the ship strikes an iceberg and sinks, leading to the deaths of over 1,500 passengers and crew. The final chorus is both a lament and a reminder that the Titanic's legacy lives on even 100 years later.
Overall, The Irish Rovers' song "The Titanic" captures the mix of hope and tragedy that surrounded the ship's short but unforgettable voyage.
Line by Line Meaning
SHE WAS BORN IN BELFAST CITY
The Titanic was built in the city of Belfast.
1912 IT BEING THE YEAR
The year that the Titanic was built and sunk was 1912.
IRISH PRIDE WAS IN THE AIR
The Irish workers who built the Titanic were proud of their craftsmanship.
THEIR HEARTS WERE FULL OF CHEER
The workers were happy and optimistic about the ship's future success.
THE WORLD STOOD IN AMAZEMENT
People around the world were amazed by the Titanic's size and luxury.
FOR THEY'D NEVER SEEN BEFORE
No one had seen a ship as grand as the Titanic before.
SUCH A STATELY QUEEN TO RULE THE WAVES
The Titanic was a majestic ship that dominated the ocean.
AND SAIL FROM SHORE TO SHORE
The Titanic traveled from port to port, crossing the ocean.
SHE WAS THE GRANDEST OF THEM ALL
The Titanic was the largest and most impressive ship of its time.
HER LINES WERE SLEEK AND BOLD
The structure of the Titanic was streamlined and impressive.
SHE SPARKLED LIKE THE JEWELS BRIGHT
The Titanic shone like a precious gem on the water.
A WONDER TO BEHOLD
The Titanic was a sight to behold and marvel at.
THE GENTRY SAILED AWAY IN STYLE
The wealthy passengers sailed in luxury and comfort.
FINE WINES DID FREELY FLOW
The rich passengers enjoyed expensive drinks and food.
WHILE THE SECOND CLASS IN STEERAGE WERE
The poorer passengers traveled in cramped conditions in the lower decks of the ship.
ALL QUARTERED DOWN BELOW
The conditions for the lower class passengers were unpleasant and inferior to those in first class.
ROLL ON TITANIC ROLL,
This is a refrain repeated throughout the song, expressing the hope that the Titanic will navigate the ocean successfully.
YOU'RE THE PRIDE OF THE WHITE STAR LINE
The Titanic was the flagship of the White Star Line, and it represented the company's prestige and status.
INTO THE MISTS OF TIME
The legacy of the Titanic has endured for generations, becoming part of history and folklore.
WELL THE CAPTAIN SAID FULL SPEED AHEAD
The captain of the Titanic ordered the ship to move at maximum speed.
WE'LL SHOW THE WORLD HER MIGHT
The crew of the Titanic wanted to prove that the ship was powerful and state-of-the-art.
SO KEEP THE BOILERS STOKED ME BOYS
The workers who operated the boilers were urged to keep them going at full speed and power.
WE'LL RACE HER THROUGH THE NIGHT
The Titanic was pushed to its limits, sailing fast through the dark of night.
WE'LL OWN THE FASTEST RECORD
The Titanic aimed to set a record for crossing the ocean at the fastest speed ever achieved by a ship.
FOR THE CROSSING OF THE SEA
The Titanic was designed to cross the ocean from one continent to another.
AND THE RMS TITANIC SHE'LL GO DOWN IN HISTORY
The Titanic was destined to be remembered as a significant event in history.
ON THE 14TH NIGHT OF APRIL
April 14th was the night when the Titanic hit an iceberg and began to sink.
WHEN THE SHIP WAS FAR FROM LAND
The Titanic was in the middle of the ocean, many miles away from any nearby land.
DREAMS WERE TORN ASUNDER
The passengers' hopes and aspirations were destroyed by the tragedy of the ship sinking.
AS CRUEL FATE BROUGHT DOWN HER HAND
The fate of the Titanic was determined by a sequence of tragic events and circumstances.
TITANIC STRUCK AN ICEBERG
The Titanic collided with a large piece of ice which caused its ultimate demise.
AND SHE SLIPPED BENEATH THE WAVES
The Titanic sunk beneath the surface of the ocean, taking many lives with it.
AND FIFTEEN HUNDRED AND SEVENTEEN SOULS WENT TO THEIR WATERY GRAVE
Over 1,500 people lost their lives in the sinking of the Titanic.
A HUNDRED YEARS HAVE COME
Over a hundred years have passed since the sinking of the Titanic.
AND GONE AND STILL WE KNOW HER NAME
The Titanic has remained a well-known and significant event throughout the years and age.
WHEN A VOYAGE BOUND FOR GLORY
The Titanic set out to make history and distinguish itself as a monumental achievement.
TURNED TO TRAGEDY AND SHAME
The Titanic's journey became a tragic event that ended in loss and disgrace.
IT'S A NIGHT TO BE REMEMBERED
The sinking of the Titanic is an unforgettable event that still resonates with people today.
FOR MAN'S OWN FRAILTY
The Titanic tragedy is a reminder of humanity's limitations and weaknesses.
WHEN THE MIGHTY SHIP TITANIC SANK
The Titanic was a majestic and powerful ship, but it was not invincible and ultimately met its demise.
Contributed by Samantha F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Jipps1208
No one said the titanic was unsinkable not the passenger neither the crew and neither the press said that except they use the unsinkable terms after he sink...
Anyway the titanic will always be remember
People forgot one thing
The RMS Olympic was the first to be built and the titanic the second one olympic and titanic was exactly the same ship they were twins
The britannic was aparently the biggest one of the three ships
People forgot the britannic but they prefer goes à 3800 meters in dangerous environment than 700 meters (britannic wreck)
Remember the submarine titan from oceangate... Few days back
@nileshgiridhar
Reminiscence of the TITANIC and the fallen on 108th Anniversary of the shipwreck!
**Lyrics**
She was born in Belfast City, 1912 it being the year
Irish pride was in the air, Their hearts were full of cheer
The world stood in amazement, For they'd never seen before
Such a stately queen to rule the waves, And sail from shore to shore
She was the grandest of them all, Her lines were sleek and bold
She sparkled like the jewels bright, A wonder to behold
The gentry sailed away in style, Fine wines did freely flow
While the second class in steerage were, All quartered down below
Roll on Titanic roll, You're the pride of the White Star Line
Roll on Titanic roll, Into the mists of time
Roll on Titanic roll, You're the pride of the White Star Line
Roll on Titanic roll, Into the mists of time
Well the captain said full speed ahead, We'll show the world her might
So keep the boilers stoked me boys, We'll race her through the night
We'll own the fastest record, For the crossing of the sea
And the RMS Titanic she'll go down in history
Roll on Titanic roll, You're the pride of the White Star Line
Roll on Titanic roll, Into the mists of time
Roll on Titanic roll, You're the pride of the White Star Line
Roll on Titanic roll, Into the mists of time
On the 14th night of april When, the ship was far from land
Dreams were torn asunder As, cruel fate brought down her hand
Titanic struck an iceberg And, she slipped beneath the waves
And fifteen hundred and seventeen souls went to their watery graves
Roll on Titanic roll, You're the pride of the White Star Line
Roll on Titanic roll, Into the mists of time
Roll on Titanic roll, You're the pride of the White Star Line
Roll on Titanic roll, Into the mists of time
A hundred years have come And gone, and still we know her name
When a voyage bound for glory Turned, to tragedy and shame
It's a night to be remembered, For man's own frailty
When the mighty ship Titanic sank, To the bottom of the sea
[Roll on Titanic roll, You're the pride of the White Star Line
Roll on Titanic roll, Into the mists of time
Roll on Titanic roll, You're the pride of the White Star Line
Roll on Titanic roll, Into the mists of time] X 5
@sebastianfloyd9705
Lyrics: she was born in Belfast city
1912 it begins the year
Irish pride was in the air
Their hearts were full of cheer
The world stood in amazement
For they’d never seen before
Such a stately Queen to rule the waves
And sail from shore to shore
(Instrumental Break)
She was grandest of them all
Her lines were sleek and bold
She sparked like the jewels bright
A wonder to behold
The gentry sailed away in style
Fine wines did freely flow
While the second class in steerage were
All quartered down below
Roll on titanic roll,
You’re the pride of the white star line
Roll on titanic roll,
Into the mists of time
Roll on titanic roll,
You’re the pride of the white star line
Roll on titanic roll,
Into the mists of time
(Instrumental Break)
Well the captain said full speed ahead
We’ll show the world her might
So keep the boiler stoked me boys
We’ll race her through the night
We’ll own the fastest record
For the crossing of the sea
And the RMS Titanic she’ll go down in history
Roll on titanic roll,
You’re the pride of the white star line
Roll on titanic roll,
Into the mists of time
Roll on titanic roll,
You’re the pride of the white star line
Roll on titanic roll
Into the mists of time
(Instrumental Break)
On the 14th night of April
When the ship was far from land
Dreams were torn asunder
As cruel fate brought down her hand
Titanic struck an iceberg
And she slipped beneath the waves
And 1517 souls went to their watery graves
Roll on titanic roll,
You’re the pride of the white star line
Roll on titanic roll,
Into the mists of time
Roll on titanic roll,
You’re the pride of the white star line
Roll on titanic roll
Into the mists of time
(Instrumental Break)
A hundred years have come and gone and still we know her name
When a voyage bound for glory
Turned to tragedy and shame
It’s a night to be remembered
For man’s own frailty
When the mighty ship titanic sank
To the bottom of the sea
Roll on titanic roll,
You’re the pride of the white star line
Roll on titanic roll,
Into the mists of time
Roll on titanic roll,
You’re the pride of the white star line
Roll on titanic roll,
Into the mists of time
Roll on titanic roll,
You’re the pride of the white star line
Roll on titanic roll,
Into the mists of time
Roll on titanic roll,
You’re the pride of the white star line
Roll on titanic roll,
Into the mists of time
@juk-hw5lv
Only the Irishmen can make song about disaster so cheerful
@comradecallahan3582
The lyrics “Roll on titanic roll, into the mists of time!” Really hit me hard. I have been fascinated in the titanic since I was three. To me, the lyrics mean that slowly Titanic is being forgotten, fading away into the Mists of Time. With it, hundreds of 3rd class passengers, a good handful not documented using their real names. I myself will never forgot this and I feel like this really shows titanic in its glory and tragedy.
@joannethibault6016
The Titanic was supossed to be unsinkable just like the Zepplin. These poor souls. Stories of the crew who took the lifeboats first then the first class passengers. Sad. Most of the bodies are buried in Halifax.
@romancatholicword528
She was a beauty but she now a ghost ship rest on sea bed. Let those who died rest in peace and always be remembered !
@Jipps1208
No one said the titanic was unsinkable not the passenger neither the crew and neither the press said that except they use the unsinkable terms after he sink...
Anyway the titanic will always be remember
People forgot one thing
The RMS Olympic was the first to be built and the titanic the second one olympic and titanic was exactly the same ship they were twins
The britannic was aparently the biggest one of the three ships
People forgot the britannic but they prefer goes à 3800 meters in dangerous environment than 700 meters (britannic wreck)
Remember the submarine titan from oceangate... Few days back
@leannefrye4341
I pray today for the members aboard the sub that disappeared trying to visit the Titanic.🙏🙏🙏
@tomgillmeister277
This is a great song. The Irish Rovers connect a tragedy and make it into a great song. Well done!
@eveebony6907
What a sad, sad story. They did what they could to built this ship and tried their best. There are too many reasons why it sunk... The result is just so infinitely sad. Far too many people had to lose their lives, including the irish men who had built the ship under terrible conditions. ...Many thanks for this intense song and the informative video to the Irish Rovers !!
@lordlouiz3362
I love this song! It tells the story about the titanic and the tragedy so great! Thank you Irish Rovers❤️
Greetings from Germany
@jeanneplymette411
Just heard this song for the first time and I love it. I never knew there was a song about the sinking of the Titanic and I also didn't know that it was built in Belfast. I'm still finding music on YouTube from The Irish Rovers--songs I never knew existed. Thanks for the many years of great entertainment!