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.
Valparaiso Round the Horn
The Irish Rovers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When all of me money it was spent
Oh where it went to the log I can't remember
So I down to the shipping office went
Sing Paddy lay back (Paddy lay back)
Take up yer' slack (Iake up yer slack)
Take a turn around your capstan, haul away! (Haul away!)
All ship stations boys be handy
For we're bound for Valaparaiso round the horn!
That day there was a great demand for sailors
For colonies, for Frisco and for France
So I signed aboard the limey barque the Hotspur
And got paralytic drunk on me advance
Sing Paddy lay back (Paddy lay back)
Take up yer' slack (Iake up yer slack)
Take a turn around your capstan, haul away! (Haul away!)
All ship stations boys be handy
For we're bound for Valaparaiso round the horn!
Well now I woke up in the morning stippin' sore
And I knew that I was on me way again
Oh when I heard a voice kickin' in the door
"Harry get up to yer bugger and answer to yer name!"
Sing Paddy lay back (Paddy lay back)
Take up yer' slack (Iake up yer slack)
Take a turn around your capstan, haul away! (Haul away!)
All ship stations boys be handy
For we're bound for Valaparaiso round the horn!
I wish that I was at the Jolly SailorSing Paddy lay back (Paddy lay back)
Take up yer' slack (Iake up yer slack)
Take a turn around your capstan, haul away! (Haul away!)
All ship stations boys be handy
For we're bound for Valaparaiso round the horn!
I wish that I was at the Jolly Sailor
Along with Irish Molly drinking beer
Then I thought, "What jolly lads were sailors?"
Then with me flipper I wiped away a tear
Sing Paddy lay back (Paddy lay back)
Take up yer' slack (Iake up yer slack)
Take a turn around your capstan, haul away! (Haul away!)
All ship stations boys be handy
For we're bound for Valaparaiso round the horn!
Sing Paddy lay back (Paddy lay back)
Take up yer' slack (Iake up yer slack)
Take a turn around your capstan, haul away! (Haul away!)
All ship stations boys be handy
For we're bound for Valaparaiso round the horn!
Oh yes we're bound for San Francisco around the horn!
The Irish Rovers's song "Valparaiso Round the Horn" tells a story of a sailor who spends all his money and decides to go to the shipping office in search of a job. He signs aboard the limey barque the Hotspur and gets drunk on his advance payment. The sailor wakes up with a hangover, and his name is called out by the ship's officer. The sailor wishes he was at the Jolly Sailor drinking beer with Irish Molly, but he wipes away a tear and joins the other sailors in singing "Paddy lay back" as they are bound for Valparaiso round the horn.
The song showcases the tough and unforgiving lives of sailors traveling around the world on ships. The lyrics also depict the camaraderie and brotherhood shared by the sailors as they sing and work together on the ship. The use of the phrase "haul away" emphasizes the laborious nature of the sailors' work and their determination to keep going despite the harsh conditions.
Line by Line Meaning
Was a cold and frosty morning in December
It was a cold winter morning when all the singer's money was spent.
When all of me money it was spent
The singer's money was all gone.
Oh where it went to the log I can't remember
The singer is unsure where his money went.
So I down to the shipping office went
The artist goes to the shipping office to find work.
Sing Paddy lay back (Paddy lay back)
The chorus calls for Paddy to relax and sing.
Take up yer' slack (Iake up yer slack)
The chorus asks sailors to get to work.
Take a turn around your capstan, haul away! (Haul away!)
The chorus instructs sailors to start turning the capstan and haul away the anchor.
All ship stations boys be handy
Everyone is needed and expected to be ready for work.
For we're bound for Valaparaiso round the horn!
The ship is headed to Valparaiso through the treacherous waters around Cape Horn.
That day there was a great demand for sailors
There was a high demand for sailors that day for different destinations.
For colonies, for Frisco and for France
The sailors were needed for colonies, San Francisco, and France.
So I signed aboard the limey barque the Hotspur
The artist signs up to work on the Hotspur, a British ship.
And got paralytic drunk on me advance
The singer gets very drunk with his advance pay.
Well now I woke up in the morning stippin' sore
The singer wakes up feeling sore and hungover.
And I knew that I was on me way again
The singer realizes he is back at sea.
Oh when I heard a voice kickin' in the door
Someone knocks on the door and wakes the artist up rudely.
"Harry get up to yer bugger and answer to yer name!"
The person at the door calls for Harry to get up and respond.
I wish that I was at the Jolly Sailor
The singer wishes he was at the Jolly Sailor pub.
Along with Irish Molly drinking beer
The singer imagines himself drinking beer with Irish Molly at the Jolly Sailor.
Then I thought, "What jolly lads were sailors?"
The artist thinks about the fun and camaraderie of being a sailor.
Then with me flipper I wiped away a tear
The artist wipes away a tear with his hand.
Oh yes we're bound for San Francisco around the horn!
The ship is also headed to San Francisco after rounding Cape Horn and stopping in Valparaiso.
Contributed by Allison W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ian Burt
on Bluenose
You have missed out a verse.