The Irish Rover

The Irish Rover is a beloved traditional Irish folk song with roots in the 19th century, though its exact origins are unclear. The song is often described as a “sea shanty” or “ballad,” telling the tale of a magnificent but ill-fated ship, the Irish Rover, and its crew. The lyrics describe the ship’s journey from Ireland, its crew of colorful and eccentric characters, and its eventual demise when the ship meets a tragic end in a storm. The song combines elements of Irish maritime history, storytelling, and humor, celebrating both the romance and danger of life at sea.

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The earliest known version of The Irish Rover appeared in the mid-19th century, with different versions of the song being sung in both Ireland and England. It was likely passed down orally through sailors, merchants, and coastal communities, each adding their own twists to the story. The tune itself is upbeat and lively, with a rollicking chorus that has made it a favorite in Irish folk music sessions.

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Though The Irish Rover was likely performed in various versions throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, it gained widespread popularity in the 20th century, particularly during the Irish folk revival. The song was recorded by iconic Irish groups like The Dubliners and The Pogues, the latter of whom brought the song to international prominence in the 1980s. Their collaboration with The Dubliners in 1987, which included a raucous rendition of The Irish Rover, further cemented the song’s status as a quintessential part of Irish musical heritage.

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Today, The Irish Rover remains a staple in Irish folk music, celebrated for its engaging melody, humorous lyrics, and vibrant energy. It continues to be performed at pub gatherings, festivals, and music sessions around the world, bringing people together in joyful celebration of Irish culture and history.

In the year of our lord eighteen hundred and six We set sail from the cold cove of Cork We were sailing away with a cargo of bricks For the grand City Hall in New York Well we’d an elegant craft, she was rigged ‘fore and aft And lord how the trade winds drove her We had twenty-three masts, and she stood several blasts And they called her the Irish Rover

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Well there was Barney McGee from the banks of the Lee There was Hogan from County Tyrone Well there was Johnny McGurk who was scared stiff of work And a chap from Westmeath called Malone Well there was Slugger O’Toole who was drunk as a rule And fighting Bill Tracy from Dover And your man Mick McCann, from the banks of the Bann Was the skipper on the Irish Rover

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We had one million bags of the best Sligo rags We had two million barrels of bone We had three million bales of old nanny goat’s tails We had four million barrels of stone Well we had five million hogs, and six million dogs And seven million barrels of porter We had eight million sides of a blind horse’s hides In the hold of the Irish Rover