Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: folk
Song Meaning of “The Jolly Roving Tar” by The Irish Rovers
The Jolly Roving Tar has been an Irish folk classic released by The Irish Rovers for decades. The song is a shanty of a sailor’s life, filled with the joys, sorrows, and travels that come with the job. The lyrics tell the story of a sailor on the open sea, who’s heading home and longing for the day he can come back.
The jolly rover tar is an adventurer, seeing the world and making his own way. Its imagery of his boat maneuvering around islands of ice sets a peaceful and magical scene, depicting his courageous journey.
The chorus reflects the sailor’s thoughts on his journey home. He can see the shore getting closer and is eager to get back, talking of how he is pining for a girl he left behind. The lyrics express real nostalgia and sentiment, emphasizing the feelings of being homesick while out at sea.
The Jolly Roving Tar may be interpreted as a symbol of free-spiritedness and freedom. Its lyrics capture the excitement of being somewhere new, but also contain an element of fear and uncertainty in the unknown that reflects the sailor’s sense of danger and awe.
At the same time, it also speaks of the contentment of being home, a comforting sense of security that the sailor is longing for. The song shows that it’s not all about the destination – the journey and memories made along the way are just as important. The ultimate message is that life is an adventure, and that it’s ok to take chances and explore the unknown.