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.
Whiskey on a Sunday
The Irish Rovers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wish in me heart it were Sunday
Drinking buttermilk through the week
Whiskey on a Sunday
He sits in the corner of old beggar's bush
On top of an old packing crate
He has three wooden dolls
And he croons with a smile on his face
Come day, go day
Wish in me heart it were Sunday
Drinking buttermilk through the week
Whiskey on a Sunday
His tired old hands tug away at the strings
And the puppets dance up and down
A far better show than you ever would see
In the fanciest theatre in town
Come day, go day
Wish in me heart it were Sunday
Drinking buttermilk through the week
Whiskey on a Sunday
And sad to relate that old Seth Davy died in 1904
The three wooden dolls in the dustbin were laid
His song will be heard nevermore
Come day, go day
Wish in me heart it were Sunday
Drinking buttermilk through the week
Whiskey on a Sunday
But some stormy night when you're passing that way
And the wind's blowing up from the sea
You'll still hear the song of old Seth Davy
As he croons to his dancing dolls three
Come day, go day
Wish in me heart it were Sunday
Drinking buttermilk through the week
Whiskey on a Sunday
Come day, go day
Wish in me heart it were Sunday
Drinking buttermilk through the week
Whiskey on a Sunday
The Irish Rovers' song Whiskey on a Sunday tells the story of an old man named Seth Davy who entertains the people passing by old Beggar's Bush in Dublin, Ireland. He sits on top of an old packing crate in the corner and has three wooden dolls that dance and sing to his tunes. The song describes how Seth Davy croons and smiles while pulling at the strings of his puppets. He brings forth a far better show than what one could expect from the fanciest theatre in town. The song also tells us that Seth Davy would have wished it was Sunday every day because that was the only day when he could afford to drink whiskey. The song depicts his life as a beggar in Dublin, who struggles to make ends meet, but still finds joy in entertaining passersby with his wooden dolls.
The second stanza of the song mentions that Seth Davy passed away in 1904, and his wooden dolls were discarded in the dustbin. The song portrays the loneliness of his death and the silence in his absence. The song is a tribute to the old man and the joy he brought to people's lives. It ends with the hope that on some stormy night, when the wind is blowing up from the sea, one can still hear the song of old Seth Davy as he croons to his dancing dolls three.
In all, the song tells a melancholic story of an old beggar entertaining people with his wooden dolls, whose happiness is limited to only one day of the week, the day he can afford whiskey. The song captures the essence of Irish culture and the struggles the Irish have faced over the years.
Line by Line Meaning
Come day, go day
Days come and go
Wish in me heart it were Sunday
I wish it was Sunday in my heart
Drinking buttermilk through the week
Drinking buttermilk all week long
Whiskey on a Sunday
Drinking whiskey on Sundays
He sits in the corner of old beggar's bush
There's a man who sits in the corner of old beggar's bush
On top of an old packing crate
He sits on top of an old packing crate
He has three wooden dolls
He owns three wooden dolls
That can dance and can sing
The dolls can dance and sing
And he croons with a smile on his face
He hums with a grin on his face
His tired old hands tug away at the strings
His worn-out hands pull the strings
And the puppets dance up and down
The dolls dance up and down
A far better show than you ever would see
A much better performance than you'd witness
In the fanciest theatre in town
In the most luxurious theater in the city
And sad to relate that old Seth Davy died in 1904
Unfortunately, old Seth Davy has passed in 1904
The three wooden dolls in the dustbin were laid
The three wooden dolls were thrown in the trash
His song will be heard nevermore
His singing voice will never be heard again
But some stormy night when you're passing that way
But on a stormy night when you're going by
And the wind's blowing up from the sea
And the sea wind is blowing
You'll still hear the song of old Seth Davy
You'll still hear the tune of old Seth Davy
As he croons to his dancing dolls three
As he hums and his dolls dance
Come day, go day
Days come and go
Wish in me heart it were Sunday
I wish it was Sunday in my heart
Drinking buttermilk through the week
Drinking buttermilk all week long
Whiskey on a Sunday
Drinking whiskey on Sundays
Contributed by Claire E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@inversion66
If you grew up in Canada in the '70s it was all but impossible to avoid the Irish Rovers.It's been a long time since I'd heard this one. Lovely song and arrangement.
@akbarlebowitz8151
Funny you mention Canada because I first heard this song in 2008 living in Bristow, VA from a Canadian station ( In Toronto, Ontario I believe) that played a wide variety of songs.
@eddiew4063
Wow! I stumbled upon this song. The memories. My dad used to dance with me on his shoulder when I was a little guy.
I can still smell his cologne. So cool…
@randalholtzclaw6765
I bought this as a 45 RPM single when the song was getting radio play in the U.S. back in the late '60s. It's great to hear it again.
@adwebbjr6
I’m not Irish ☘️ but I love this wee ditty. ❤
@Evan345gdf
Well its an english song originally, based on a real guy in liverpool
@adwebbjr6
What? I had no idea.
@Evan345gdf
@Arbie Webb,Jr. definitely look into it, there’s even a photo of him
@grahamwride1240
Great rendition ....
@user-dz3ku8ob4o
Awesome