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Song Review: The Irish Rover Song by The Dubliners and The Pogues
The Irish Rover is a traditional Irish folk song that has been performed and recorded by various artists over the years.
One notable rendition is the version by The Dubliners, featuring The Pogues.
The song tells the story of a grand ship called the Irish Rover and its misadventures at sea.
It celebrates the lively and adventurous spirit of Irish seafarers, filled with humorous anecdotes and vivid characters.
The Dubliners and The Pogues bring their unique styles and energy to the song, creating a dynamic and memorable performance.
The instrumentation in the song is lively and traditional, featuring instruments such as the tin whistle, fiddle, and accordion, which add to the authentic Irish folk sound.
The vocals by the members of The Dubliners and The Pogues are expressive and full of character, capturing the spirit of the narrative.
The Irish Rover is known for its catchy chorus, which invites listeners to join in and sing along.
The combination of the spirited melody, engaging storytelling, and lively performances make it a beloved and enduring song in the Irish music tradition.
The Irish Rover is a delightful and entertaining folk song that showcases the charm and vibrancy of Irish music.
The collaboration between The Dubliners and The Pogues adds an extra layer of energy and excitement to the performance, making it a standout rendition of this timeless classic.
Lyrics Of The Irish Rover
On the fourth of July, 1806
We set sail from the sweet cove 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
Six million dogs
Seven million barrels of porter
We had eight million bails of old nanny goats’ tails
In the hold of The Irish Rover
There was ol’ Mickey Coote
Who played hard on his flute
When the ladies lined up for a set
He was tootin’ 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 McGurk
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 on The Irish Rover
For the sailor it’s always a bother in life
It’s so lonesome by night and by 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
That 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
And the last of The Irish Rover
