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 Wind That Shakes the Corn
The Irish Rovers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My sad heart had to choose between Old Ireland and my love
I looked at her and then I thought how Ireland was torn
While soft the wind blew down the glen and shook the golden corn
t'was hard the woeful words to bring to break the ties that bound
But harder still to bear the shame of English chains around
And so I said, the mountain glen I'll seek in early morn
While sad I kissed away her tears my fond arms round her clung
A British shot burst in our ears from out of the wild woods round
One bullet pierced my true love's side a rose pierced by a thorn
And in my arms in blood she died while soft winds shook the corn
So blood for blood without remorse I've taken in the glen
I placed my true love's clayful corpse I joined true Irish men
But around her grave I wander drear sometimes in early morn
And with breaking heart sometimes I hear the wind that shakes the corn
The lyrics to The Irish Rovers' song The Wind That Shakes the Corn tell a dramatic story of love, politics, and tragedy in Ireland. The song begins with the singer sitting with his true love in a peaceful valley, but torn between his love for her and his loyalty to Ireland. As the wind blows and shakes the corn, he decides to join the "brave united men" fighting for Irish independence. However, this decision leads to devastating consequences, as his love is killed by a British bullet. The singer seeks revenge and joins the Irish cause, but his heart is broken and haunted by the memory of his lost love.
The lyrics are a powerful commentary on the complicated politics and violence of Irish history, as well as the personal sacrifices and tragedies that resulted from it. The singer's choice between love and country reflects a common dilemma faced by many in Ireland, while the violence and death that ensue highlight the toll that this struggle took on individuals and families.
Overall, The Wind That Shakes the Corn is a poignant and moving song that captures the struggles and heartbreaks of Irish history and politics through the lens of personal love and loss.
Line by Line Meaning
I sat within the valley green I sat with my true love
I sat in a pleasant green valley with my beloved.
My sad heart had to choose between Old Ireland and my love
My heart was heavy as I had to decide between my country, Ireland, and my love.
I looked at her and then I thought how Ireland was torn
As I gazed at her, I couldn't help but think of how divided and troubled my homeland was.
While soft the wind blew down the glen and shook the golden corn
As the gentle breeze passed through the valley, it caused the ripe corn to sway and rustle.
t'was hard the woeful words to bring to break the ties that bound
It was difficult to express the sorrowful words that meant the end of our relationship.
But harder still to bear the shame of English chains around
It was even more difficult to endure the humiliation of being under English rule.
And so I said, the mountain glen I'll seek in early morn
I made the decision to head to the mountainous glen the following morning.
And join the brave united men while soft winds shook the corn
There, I planned to join forces with the courageous and unified men as the corn continued to sway in the gentle breeze.
While sad I kissed away her tears my fond arms round her clung
With sadness in my heart, I wiped away her tears and held her closely.
A British shot burst in our ears from out of the wild woods round
Suddenly, the sound of gunfire from the English army echoed through the forest around us.
One bullet pierced my true love's side a rose pierced by a thorn
Tragically, a single bullet struck my beloved, causing a fatal wound, like a rose pierced by a thorn.
And in my arms in blood she died while soft winds shook the corn
As I held her, she passed away from her injury, with the corn still rustling in the gentle breeze.
So blood for blood without remorse I've taken in the glen
Filled with anger and grief, I sought vengeance in the glen.
I placed my true love's clayful corpse I joined true Irish men
With a heavy heart, I laid my beloved to rest and joined the ranks of the loyal Irishmen.
But around her grave I wander drear sometimes in early morn
To this day, I often find myself wandering around her grave, particularly in the early morning.
And with breaking heart sometimes I hear the wind that shakes the corn
During those moments, my heart is heavy, and I can hear the rustling corn in the wind, like a reminder of my past and my loss.
Contributed by Jasmine M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@athena8794
One of my favorite Irish Rovers tunes. Makes me tear up every time
@tamaracostanza7863
I bawl like a baby!
@Tinymoezzy
Holy god same story for me, My father and grand dad listened to this song and one day i listened to it alone and just was so sad at the words. I still cry a tear for it I am a big baby girl i guess. It is odd to tell some americans that you are Irish American but it is how i was raised proud of my blood. I truely love this song. I still have my record of this song. Your little comment made me smile and best of Irish love to you.
@SaurianEntity
When I was little, I would beg my grandma to put this record on. We wore out at least ten copies, and probably just as many tapes. The entire album is incredible, but this song, wow... As it ends, the silence after the song finally cuts out just seems deafening, like you didn't realize how much you were feeling it, until it's over. For me, anyway... Scots-Irish-Native American ancestry here, it's amazing how many of my friends start out thinking this music is stupid, and end up loving it.
@armancollins4419
I love this song too I get teary eyed everytime I hear this song.
@matthewrussell1299
I love the melancholy sound of the harmonica in this song.
@johnbruington6950
My Irish frinds say they see the Irish in me althougg we have been here for over 100 years. I sing this song and weep.
@ufgatorpaw
Oh how I do love this song, since I first heard this version back in the day. It became my favorite song from their album and through all the years I still remember all the words... so beautiful and sad.
@Awakened260
I am Peruvian American and I have absolutely nothing to do with Ireland or Irish music, but this song is great. The harmonious sound in this song is addicting.
@2tfts
I just thank to heaven my uncle, Jack Lynch, who would listen to this song with a few young children who liked The Unicorn song. We didn't appreciate THIS song then,,,but we sure do now!! Thanks for posting it !! Nobody can turn misery into poetry like the Irish !