This version recorded by Paul Mounsey

Words Trad


Journeyman

*walking on gravel

Oh!
I am a roving journeyman, I roam from town to town,
And whenever I get a job of work I'm willing to sit down,
My kit's all on my shoulder and my graftin' tool in hand,
And around the country I will go, a roving journeyman.

Whenever I come tae Glasgow toon the lassies jump for joy,
Says one unto the other "well, here comes a rovin' boy",
Some treat me to a bottle and the others to a dram,
And the toast goes round the table "Health unto the Journeyman!"

I haedne' been in Glasgow toon a week but barely three,
Before the Provost's daughter went and fell in love wi' me,
She asked me for to dine wi' her and took me by the hand,
And she proudly told her mother that she loved the journeyman

"Ach, away ye go ye silly maid, I'll hear ye speak no more!,
How can ye love a journeymand ye've never seen before?"
"Mother, sweet, I do intreat, I love him all I can,
And around the country I will go tae see my journeyman"

Wi' yer linten addie, toorin' addie linten addie
Tooral linten addie tooral linten addie aye
Pots and pans and helping hands will see you through the day
Linten addie tooral ooral, ooral addie aye
Gi' yer penny to the journeyman to help him on his way.

Ye'll need nae mair tae trudge on foot ye'll hae a horse and pair,
My wealth, with thee, and poverty, contented I will share,
So overflow the flowing bowl and drain it if you can,
Toast the Provost's daughter and the roving journeyman.

I am a roving journeyman, I roam from town to town,
And whenever I get a job of work I'm willing to sit down,
My kit's all on my shoulder and my grafting tool in hand,
Around the country I will go, a roving journeyman.

Wi' yer linten addie, toorin' addie linten addie
Tooral linten addie tooral linten addie aye
Pots and pans and helping hands will see you through the day
Linten addie tooral ooral, ooral addie aye
Gi' yer penny to the journeyman to help him on his way.

I've been a wild rover for many a year,
And I spend all my money on Whiskey and Beer,
But now I'm returning with gold in great store,
And I swear I will play the wild rover no more.

I am a roving journeyman, I roam from town to town,
And whenever I get a job of work I'm willing to sit down,
My kit's all on my shoulder and my grafting tool in hand,
And around the country I will go, a roving journeyman.

Roving journeyman, roving journeyman.
Roving journeyman, roving journeyman.

I took from my pocket a handful of gold,
And on the round table it glittered and rolled,
I asked her for Whiskey and Beer of the best,
What I told you before, it was only a jest!

Around the country I will go, a roving journeyman.