Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: punk-rock
Song Meaning of “The Irish Rover – Live At The Olympia, Paris / 2012” by The Pogues
The Pogues’ ‘The Irish Rover – Live At The Olympia, Paris / 2012’ is a classic Irish folk tune which has been recorded by many folk, rock and country artists over the years. With lines like “We had whistle Billy Burnett, an Irish jig and reel” and “It’s the doom laden story of the Irish Rover”, this song celebrates the lives and adventures of the Irish immigrants who left their homeland for a new life in America in the 19th century.
The narrative of the song follows the voyage of the Irish Rover, who sails away from his home with a promise to return— living the life of an Irish immigrant. He’s followed by a jig, a reel, a song, and a cheerful crew who celebrate in his wake with banjo, fiddle and whistle. The chorus of “Goodbye, me boys, I’m off to America” drives home the motif of leaving the home behind.
The lyrics depict a man in search of hope and freedom and we can feel the sadness of his departure from the homeland he loves: “On the fifth of November, we set sail from old Kinale, a cargo of love and laughter as to America we’d sail.” Despite the sadness of leaving home and love behind, the song celebrates the energy of new beginnings through its rousing instrumental passages.