Lyr Req: I'm a rover, Seldom Sober

Subject: John Allan Camerons - I'm a Rover
From: Peace
Date: 17 Jan 08 - 03:35 PM

(copied from another thread)
Thread #107810   Message #2238675
Posted By: GUEST,Richard
17-Jan-08 - 03:15 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: John Allan Camerons 'Tie Me Down'
Subject: Lyr Req: John Allan Camerons 'Tie Me Down'

Looking for John Allan Cameron's Lyrics, for "Tie Me Down" "Fisherman's Song" "I'm a rover, Seldom Sober". I tried to listen to these songs my self and write out the lyrics , but they are from vinyl and it is hard to make out certain words. I can figure out the chords but , just cant seem to get all the words and they are hard to find on the net, i can find Im a rover , seldom sober, online but they are alot of traditional lyrics that dont match John Allan Cameron's lyrics. Any input would be greatly appreciated thanks so much.

---

I'm a rover, seldom sober, I'm a rover of high degree
It's when I'm drinkin' I'm always thinkin' how to gain my love's company

Though the night be as dark as dungeon, not a star can be seen above
I will be guided without a stumble, into the arms of my own true love

I'm a rover, seldom sober, I'm a rover of high degree
It's when I'm drinkin' I'm always thinkin' how to gain my love's company

He stepped up to her bedroom window, kneeling gently upon a stone
He whispers through her bedroom window, my darling dear do you lie alone

I'm a rover, seldom sober, I'm a rover of high degree
It's when I'm drinkin' I'm always thinkin' how to gain my love's company

It's only me your own true lover, open the door and let me in
For I have come on a long nights journey and I'm near drenched to the skin

I'm a rover, seldom sober, I'm a rover of high degree
It's when I'm drinkin' I'm always thinkin' how to gain my love's company

She opened the door with the greatest pleasure, she opened the door and she let him in
They both shook hands and embraced each other, until the morning they lay as one

I'm a rover, seldom sober, I'm a rover of high degree
It's when I'm drinkin' I'm always thinkin' how to gain my love's company

Says I: My love I must go and leave you, to climb the hills they are far above
But I will climb with the greatest pleasure, since I've been in the arms of my love

I'm a rover, seldom sober, I'm a rover of high degree
It's when I'm drinkin' I'm always thinkin' how to gain my love's company

from

celtic-lyrics.com/forum/index.php?autocom=tclc&code=lyrics&id=248

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: John Allan Camerons 'Tie Me Down'
From: GUEST,Richard
Date: 17 Jan 08 - 03:45 PM

Yeah i did find that version of Im a Rover, but it is slightly different the way John Allan sings it but there are some similar verses, and that fishermans song is completely different, i would say there are a few different Fisherman's Songs, but your help is appreciated for sure thank you.

Subject: Lyr Req: I'm a rover, Seldom Sober
From: GUEST,Richard
Date: 17 Jan 08 - 03:48 PM

Looking for the lyrics to I'm a rover, Seldom Sober by John Allan Cameron there are many versions of this traditional song but most that are online dont match up. And the version of this song i have is on vinyl and is hard to make out some words due to poor quality if anyone can help it would be greatly appreciated thank you so much.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I'm a rover, Seldom Sober
From: Emma B
Date: 17 Jan 08 - 03:52 PM

these are the lyrics I usually hear sung

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I'm a rover, Seldom Sober
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 17 Jan 08 - 05:06 PM

L4 V3 scans better if you leave out "long". I always do. BTW, I think it is Burns, apart from the chorus.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I'm a rover, Seldom Sober
From: Emma B
Date: 17 Jan 08 - 05:14 PM

usually described as 'traditional' or 'Irish'

but then so many songs are :)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: John Allan Camerons 'Tie Me Down'
From: GUEST,meself
Date: 17 Jan 08 - 05:16 PM

A few alternative Rover lyrics which come more or less from JAC:


It's when he came to his true love's window,
He gently knelt down all on the stone,
He whispered softly throught the keyhole,
Ah my darling, are you alone?

She raised her head from her soft white pillow,
And almost naked was her breast,
Who's that tapping upon my window,
Disturbing me from my long night's rest?

It is your true love, pray don't discover,
But open the door love and let me in,
For I am wet from my long night's journey,
Besides I'm wet love unto the skin.

She raised her up with the greatest of pleasure,
She raised her up and she let him in,
And they were locked in each other's arrums,
Till the long night had been and gone.

And when this long night was passed and over,
And the cocks they began to crow,
Farewell my true love and I'll be seeing you,
For a-roving I must obey.


He's got a line about 'going to Georgetown' in there somewhere as well; can't remember ...

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I'm a rover, Seldom Sober
From: Scotus
Date: 17 Jan 08 - 06:43 PM

This is a late-ish version of the 'grey cock' ballad and the words are almost the same as 'the night visiting song' version. I like to describe it as a 'wishful thinking' song :-)

Jack

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I'm a rover, Seldom Sober
From: Susan of DT
Date: 17 Jan 08 - 08:11 PM

This is in the Digital Tradition.

Also, if you search for nightvisit (one word), you will see 15 night visiting songs.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I'm a rover, Seldom Sober
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 18 Jan 08 - 03:38 AM

The text given at the beginning of this thread is almost identical, with one major addition, to the one sung by MacColl, who regularly used as a finishing song at the Singers Club.
His penultimate verse was:

The cocks are crawin' the birds are whistlin'
The burns they ran free abune the brae,
"Remember lass, I'm a ploughman laddie
And the fairmer I must obey".

The source he gives in 'Folk Songs and Ballads of Scotland' (Oak Publications 1965) is 'From the singing of James Grant of Aberdour, Banffshire'.
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I'm a rover, Seldom Sober
From: Barry Finn
Date: 20 Jan 08 - 05:50 PM

"She raised her head from her snow white pillow
She wrapped her arms about her breast
Who's that a-rapping upon my window
Disturbing me at my long nights rest"

Barry