The Irish Rover
Encyclopedia
"The Irish Rover" is a traditional
Irish
song about a magnificent, though improbable, sailing ship
that reaches an unfortunate end. It has been recorded by numerous artists, some of whom have made changes to the lyrics.
The origins of the song are uncertain but it is usually attributed to a little known songwriter/arranger named J.M. Crofts.
Crofts is listed as the author in the 1966 publication,Walton's New Treasurey of Irish Songs and Ballads 2.
Some of the lyrics have become corrupted over time. For example, the opening line of one of the verses is often presented as: "We had sailed seven years when the measles broke out".
Measles is actually a corruption of mizzens, which refers to the third and smallest mast on a ship. Both measles and mizzens are now commonly used in versions by different performers.
A recording of the Irish Rover featuring the Dubliners and the Pogues reached number 20 in the UK charts in 1987.
The penultimate verse is often missed out from the song on compilations.
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
Irish
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
song about a magnificent, though improbable, sailing ship
Sailing ship
The term sailing ship is now used to refer to any large wind-powered vessel. In technical terms, a ship was a sailing vessel with a specific rig of at least three masts, square rigged on all of them, making the sailing adjective redundant. In popular usage "ship" became associated with all large...
that reaches an unfortunate end. It has been recorded by numerous artists, some of whom have made changes to the lyrics.
The origins of the song are uncertain but it is usually attributed to a little known songwriter/arranger named J.M. Crofts.
Crofts is listed as the author in the 1966 publication,Walton's New Treasurey of Irish Songs and Ballads 2.
Some of the lyrics have become corrupted over time. For example, the opening line of one of the verses is often presented as: "We had sailed seven years when the measles broke out".
Measles is actually a corruption of mizzens, which refers to the third and smallest mast on a ship. Both measles and mizzens are now commonly used in versions by different performers.
A recording of the Irish Rover featuring the Dubliners and the Pogues reached number 20 in the UK charts in 1987.
The Clancy Brothers version
- In the year of our Lord, eighteen hundred and six,
- We set sail from the Coal Quay of CorkCork (city)Cork is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the island of Ireland's third most populous city. It is the principal city and administrative centre of County Cork and the largest city in the province of Munster. Cork has a population of 119,418, while the addition of the suburban...
- We were sailing away with a cargo of bricks
- For the grand City Hall in New YorkNew YorkNew York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
- We'd an elegant craft, it was rigged 'fore and aft
- And how the trade winds drove her
- She had twenty-three masts and she 'stood several blasts
- And they called her the Irish Rover
- There was Barney McGee from the banks of the LeeRiver Lee (Ireland)The Lee is a river in Ireland. It rises in the Shehy Mountains on the western border of County Cork and flows eastwards through Cork City, where it splits in two for a short distance, creating an island on which Cork's city centre is built, and empties into the Celtic Sea at Cork Harbour on the...
- There was Hogan from County TyroneCounty TyroneHistorically Tyrone stretched as far north as Lough Foyle, and comprised part of modern day County Londonderry east of the River Foyle. The majority of County Londonderry was carved out of Tyrone between 1610-1620 when that land went to the Guilds of London to set up profit making schemes based on...
- There was Johnny McGirr who was scared stiff of work
- And a chap from Westmeath named Malone
- There was Slugger O'Toole who was drunk as a rule
- And fighting Bill Tracy from DoverDoverDover is a town and major ferry port in the home county of Kent, in South East England. It faces France across the narrowest part of the English Channel, and lies south-east of Canterbury; east of Kent's administrative capital Maidstone; and north-east along the coastline from Dungeness and Hastings...
- And your man Mick McCann, from the banks of the BannRiver BannThe River Bann is the longest river in Northern Ireland, the total length being 80 miles . The river winds its way from the south east corner of Northern Ireland to the north west coast, pausing in the middle to widen into the enormous Lough Neagh...
- Was the skipper on the Irish Rover
- We had one million bags of the best SligoSligoSligo is the county town of County Sligo in Ireland. The town is a borough and has a charter and a town mayor. It is sometimes referred to as a city, and sometimes as a town, and is the second largest urban area in Connacht...
rags - We had two million barrels of bones
- We had three million bales of old nanny goats' tails
- We had four million barrels of stones
- We had five million hogs and six million dogs
- And seven million barrels of porterPorter (beer)Porter is a dark-coloured style of beer. The history and development of stout and porter are intertwined. The name was first used in the 18th century from its popularity with the street and river porters of London. It is generally brewed with dark malts...
- We had eight million sides of poor blind horses' hides
- In the hold of the Irish Rover
- We had sailed seven years when the measlesMeaslesMeasles, also known as rubeola or morbilli, is an infection of the respiratory system caused by a virus, specifically a paramyxovirus of the genus Morbillivirus. Morbilliviruses, like other paramyxoviruses, are enveloped, single-stranded, negative-sense RNA viruses...
broke out - And our ship lost her way in the fog
- And the whole of a crew was reduced down to two
- 'Twas meself and the captain's old dog
- Then the ship struck a rock; oh Lord what a shock
- And nearly tumbled over
- Turned nine times around - and the poor old dog was drowned
- I'm the last of the Irish Rover
The Pogues and The Dubliners version
- On the Fourth of July, eighteen hundred and six
- We set sail from the sweet Cobh of Cork
- We were sailing away with a cargo of bricks
- For the Grand City Hall in New York
- Twas a wonderful craft
- She was rigged fore and aft
- And oh, how the wild wind drove her
- She stood several blasts
- She had twenty seven masts
- And they called her The Irish Rover
- We had one million bags of the best Sligo rags
- We had two million barrels of stone
- We had three million sides of old blind horses hides
- We had four million barrels of bones
- We had five million hogs
- And six million dogs
- Seven million barrels of porter
- We had eight million bales of old nanny-goats' tails
- In the hold of the Irish Rover
- There was awl Mickey Coote
- Who played hard on his flute
- When the ladies lined up for a set
- He would tootle with skill
- For each sparkling quadrille
- Though the dancers were fluther'd and bet
- With his smart witty talk
- He was cock of the walk
- And he rolled the dames under and over
- They all knew at a glance
- When he took up his stance
- That he sailed in The Irish Rover
- There was Barney McGee
- From the banks of the Lee
- There was Hogan from County Tyrone
- There was Johnny McGirk
- Who was scared stiff of work
- And a man from Westmeath called Malone
- There was Slugger O'Toole
- Who was drunk as a rule
- And Fighting Bill Treacy from Dover
- And your man, Mick MacCann
- From the banks of the Bann
- Was the skipper of the Irish Rover
- For a sailor it's always a bother in life
- It's so lonesome by night and day
- That he longs for the shore
- And a charming young whore
- Who will melt all his troubles away
- Oh, the noise and the rout
- Swillin' poitin and stout
- For him soon the torment's over
- Of the love of a maid
- He is never afraid
- An old salt from the Irish Rover
- We had sailed seven years
- When the measles broke out
- And the ship lost its way in the fog
- And that whale of a crew
- Was reduced down to two
- Just myself and the Captain's old dog
- Then the ship struck a rock
- Oh Lord what a shock
- The bulkhead was turned right over
- Turned nine times around
- And the poor old dog was drowned
- I'm the last of The Irish Rover
The penultimate verse is often missed out from the song on compilations.
The Tramps version
(Only a slight change in wording and verse order from the original lyrics)- On the fourth of July eighteen hundred and six
- We set sail for the sweet home of Cork
- We were sailing away with a cargo of bricks
- For the grand City Hall of New York
- It was a wonderful craft she was rigged fore and aft
- And how the wild wind drove her
- She stood several blasts she had twenty seven masts
- And we called her The Irish Rover
- We had one million bags of the best Sligo rags
- We had two million barrels of stone
- We had three million sides of old blind horses hides
- We had four million barrels of bone
- We had five million hogs and six million dogs
- And seven million barrels of porter
- We had eight million barrels of old nanny goats tails
- All on board on The Irish Rover
- There was Barney MaGee from the banks of the Lee
- There was Hogan from county Tyrone
- There was Johnny McGirr who was scared stiff of work
- And a chap from Westmeath named Malone
- There was Slugger O’Toole who was drunk as a rule
- And Fighting Bill Tracy from Dover
- There was Dolan from Clare just as strong as a bear
- All on board on The Irish Rover
- We had sailed seven years when the measles broke out
- Our ship lost its way in the fog
- Then the whale of the crew was reduced down to two
- Just myself and the captain’s old dog
- Then the ship struck a rock, oh Lord what a shock
- The boat was turned right over
- Whirled nine times around then the old dog was drowned
- And the last of The Irish Rover
- Whirled nine times around then the old dog was drowned
- I’m the last of The Irish Rover
Cultural impact
- The Irish Rover is one of the most popular Scottish country danceScottish country danceA Scottish country dance is a form of social dance involving groups of mixed couples of dancers tracing progressive patterns according to a predetermined choreography...
s and is set to the music of the song. - The Canadian Irish folk group created in 1963, The Irish RoversThe Irish RoversThe Irish Rovers is a Canadian Irish folk group created in 1963 and named after the traditional song "The Irish Rover". The group is best known for their international television series, and renditions of traditional Irish drinking songs, as well as early hits, Shel Silverstein's "The Unicorn",...
were named after the traditional song "The Irish Rover" by their mother in BallymenaBallymenaBallymena is a large town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland and the seat of Ballymena Borough Council. Ballymena had a population of 28,717 people in the 2001 Census....
, IrelandIrelandIreland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. Their first recording of the song was on their 1966 debut album, The First of the Irish RoversThe First of the Irish RoversThe First of the Irish Rovers is the first album by the music group The Irish Rovers, released in 1966. The album title reflects the last line in the song "The Irish Rover", from which the group took its name.- Track listing :*Side One:#The Irish Rover...
. - Slugger O'TooleSlugger O'TooleSlugger O'Toole is a weblog started in June 2002 by political analyst Mick Fealty. It began life as Letter to Slugger O'Toole, focused primarily on news and comment about Northern Ireland...
- a character referred to in The Irish Rover has been adopted as the name of a major political website in Northern Ireland. - In issue 26 of DCDC ComicsDC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
/Vertigo series Preacher when Cassidy describes his drinking buddies in New York CityNew York CityNew York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, the names are all taken from the Irish Rover. - In the July/August 2006 issue of Analog Science Fiction and FactAnalog Science Fiction and FactAnalog Science Fiction and Fact is an American science fiction magazine. As of 2011, it is the longest running continuously published magazine of that genre...
, there is a story by Michael Flynn called Sand and Iron where all the character names appear to be taken from the Irish Rover.
Recordings
"The Irish Rover" has been recorded many times by a variety of artists. Versions are listed below by notable artists in descending chronological order.- 2011 - Drunken Lullabies (band) on their album Póg mo thóin
- 2011 - Fiddler's Green (band)Fiddler's Green (band)Fiddler’s Green is a German band from Erlangen that plays independent Irish speedfolk, formed in 1990. Their first concert under the name of Fiddler’s Green was at the Newcomer-Festival in Erlangen in November 1990, where the band came second...
on their album Wall of Folk - 2011 - Dropkick MurphysDropkick MurphysDropkick Murphys are an Irish-American punk rock band formed in Quincy, Massachusetts in 1996. The band was initially signed to independent punk record label Hellcat Records, releasing five albums for the label, and making a name for themselves locally through constant playing and yearly St....
on their album Going Out in StyleGoing Out in StyleGoing Out in Style is the seventh studio album by the Dropkick Murphys and was released on March 1, 2011. It was the band's second studio release on their Born & Bred Records label, and marks the longest gap between two Dropkick Murphys albums, as it was released almost four years after 2007's The... - 2010 - The Screw City Saints on their album Drinking, Fighting, Dying
- 2010 - The High KingsThe High KingsThe High Kings are an Irish ballad group. They were formed on Carick on Suir by Fibarr Clancy and Martin Furey.Brian Dunphy , and Broadway/pop/country singer Darren Holden were later recruited having wowed the world with their own solo careers on broadway in musical reviews, such as Riverdance...
on their album Memory Lane - 2009 - Culann's HoundsCulann's HoundsCulann's Hounds is a traditional Irish folk band from San Francisco. Founded in 1999 by Steve Gardner and Michael Kelleher as The Irish Bastards , the band began playing gigs and soon adopted the more broadly appealing name.-Origins:...
on their album One for the Road - 2009 - Happy Ol´McWeasel on their first single Irish Rover - Single 2009
- 2007 - Tommy MakemTommy MakemThomas "Tommy" Makem was an internationally celebrated Irish folk musician, artist, poet and storyteller. He was best known as a member of The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem. He played the long-necked 5-string banjo, guitar, tin whistle, and bagpipes, and sang in a distinctive baritone...
on the posthumous release The Legendary Tommy Makem Collection - 2005 - Liam ClancyLiam ClancyWilliam "Liam" Clancy was an Irish folk singer and actor from Carrick-on-Suir, County Tipperary. He was the youngest and last surviving member of performing group The Clancy Brothers. The group were regarded as Ireland's first pop stars...
on his album Yes... Those Were The Days: The Essential Liam Clancy - 2005 - The Blaggards on their album Standards
- 2001 - The TossersThe TossersThe Tossers are a six-piece Celtic punk band from Chicago, Illinois. They formed in July 1993. They have toured with Murphy's Law, Streetlight Manifesto, Catch 22, Dropkick Murphys, The Reverend Horton Heat, Flogging Molly, Street Dogs, Clutch, Sick of it All & Mastodon. They opened for The Pogues...
on their album Communication & Conviction: Last Seven YearsCommunication & Conviction: Last Seven YearsCommunication & Conviction: Last Seven Years is a compilation album by The Tossers. It was released in 2001 on Thick Records.- Track listing :# "Young Ned Of The Hill" - 2.33# "Maidrin Rua/Tell Me Ma" - 3.41# "Seven Drunken Nights" - 4.00... - 2000 - Sons of MaxwellSons of MaxwellSons of Maxwell is a Canadian music duo who perform both traditional Celtic folk music and original compositions with a pop-folk sound. The duo consists of brothers Don and Dave Carroll, originally from Timmins, Ontario, now living in Halifax, Nova Scotia...
on their album Sailor's Story - 1998 - The Corsairs on their album The RED One
- 1994 - Orthodox CeltsOrthodox CeltsOrthodox Celts is a Serbian band which plays Irish folk music combined with rock elements. Despite their unusual sound the band is one of the top acts of the Serbian rock scene and has influenced several younger bands, most notably Tir na n'Og and Irish Stew of Sindidun.The band started their...
on their self-titled début albumOrthodox Celts (album)Orthodox Celts is the debut album by the Serbian Irish folk/Celtic rock band Orthodox Celts released in 1994. It is the only Orthodox Celts album which features only covers of Irish traditional songs.The album was reissued in 1999.- Tracklist :... - 1987 - The DublinersThe DublinersThe Dubliners are an Irish folk band founded in 1962.-Formation and history:The Dubliners, initially known as "The Ronnie Drew Ballad Group", formed in 1962 and made a name for themselves playing regularly in O'Donoghue's Pub in Dublin...
with The PoguesThe PoguesThe Pogues are a Celtic punk band, formed in 1982 and fronted by Shane MacGowan. The band reached international prominence in the 1980s and early 1990s. MacGowan left the band in 1991 due to drinking problems but the band continued first with Joe Strummer and then with Spider Stacy on vocals before...
on The DublinersThe DublinersThe Dubliners are an Irish folk band founded in 1962.-Formation and history:The Dubliners, initially known as "The Ronnie Drew Ballad Group", formed in 1962 and made a name for themselves playing regularly in O'Donoghue's Pub in Dublin...
' album 25 Years Celebration25 Years Celebration25 Years Celebration is a double album by The Dubliners. Recorded in 1987 and released following a special Late Late Show appearance by the group, 25 Years Celebration featured a number of special guests and featured "The Irish Rover", a collaboration with The Pogues, which returned The Dubliners... - 1975 - Ronnie DrewRonnie DrewJoseph Ronald "Ronnie" Drew was an Irish singer and folk musician who achieved international fame during a fifty-year career recording with The Dubliners. He was born in Dun Laoghaire, County Dublin...
on his self-titled début solo album - 1966 - The Irish RoversThe Irish RoversThe Irish Rovers is a Canadian Irish folk group created in 1963 and named after the traditional song "The Irish Rover". The group is best known for their international television series, and renditions of traditional Irish drinking songs, as well as early hits, Shel Silverstein's "The Unicorn",...
on their début album, The First of the Irish RoversThe First of the Irish RoversThe First of the Irish Rovers is the first album by the music group The Irish Rovers, released in 1966. The album title reflects the last line in the song "The Irish Rover", from which the group took its name.- Track listing :*Side One:#The Irish Rover...