Lyr Req: Ballad of The Wild Rovers

Subject: Lyr Req: Ballad of The Wild Rovers
From: Rog Peek
Date: 25 Mar 08 - 07:46 PM

Just watched a cowboy film with William Holden et. al. in which there was song called The Ballad Of The Wild Rovers. By any chance does anyone know the lyrics?
Thanks
Rog

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ballad of The Wild Rovers
From: Joe Offer
Date: 25 Mar 08 - 08:44 PM

Hi, Rog - can you recall a few phrases to head us in the right direction?
Thanks.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Ballad of The Wild Rovers
From: Rog Peek
Date: 26 Mar 08 - 02:06 PM

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ballad of The Wild Rovers
From: Joe Offer
Date: 26 Mar 08 - 02:19 PM

Roig, Rog, Rog....
Deatail?
Story line of the song?
Name of the film?
Snippets of phrases from the song?

T'anks.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ballad of The Wild Rovers
From: Rog Peek
Date: 26 Mar 08 - 03:02 PM

I have a confession to make Joe, I had recorded the film, but was too lazy to transcribe the myself....well I've capitulated so here it is:

Come all you wild rovers and listen to me
Gonna tell you the tale of my sad history
I'm a cowboy of fortune, a lover of life
Too old for a sweetheart too young for a wife

I've drunk me some whisky and roped me a steer
I've busted wild broncos from Texas to here
My clothes they are ragged, my language is tough
A sweet loving woman could smooth out the rough

Well I've tasted it all and I'm telling you now
If I had me the chance I'd sure do it again
But the days are much shorter and winter is nigh
And sooner or later a man's gonna die

So drink to the rovers the last of their kind
They're wild and they're wooley and out of their minds
Just a few more tomorrows they won't be around
Forgotten by all, six feet in the ground.

Not sure who wrote it, possibly Ernie Sheldon, perhaps someone could confirm, or otherwise.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ballad of The Wild Rovers
From: Rog Peek
Date: 26 Mar 08 - 03:06 PM

should have read - .....transcribe the song myself.

P.S. the previous posting was an accidental encounter with the keyboard.

Rog

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ballad of The Wild Rovers
From: Rog Peek
Date: 23 Nov 12 - 07:34 AM

Found a recording on utube by William Holden which I'm assuming is the one listed on the soudtrack CD as a bonus track. On this version, there is another verse which comes after the third verse:

So remember this warning and take my advice
You go through this whole world just once, not twice
And while you're doing your living you best do it well
'Cause as sure as you're born, you're going to hell.

This verse was not included in the version of the film I watched.

Rog

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ballad of The Wild Rovers
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 23 Nov 12 - 09:19 PM

The film was called "Wild Rovers" (1971), starring William Holden, Ryan O'Neal, and Karl Malden.

IMDb lists only 2 songs for that film:

BALLAD OF THE WILD ROVERS
Words and music by Jerry Goldsmith
Sung by William Holden

WILD ROVER
Words by Ernie Sheldon, music by Jerry Goldsmith
Sung by Sheb Wooley

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ballad of The Wild Rovers
From: Rog Peek
Date: 24 Nov 12 - 04:13 AM

No mention of Sheb Wooley here
, only Ellen Smith (Jerry Goldsmith's daughter), Betty Wand and William Holden.

Ellen Smith here, ,1min 50secs in, and

William Holden here.

Rog

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ballad of The Wild Rovers
From: Rog Peek
Date: 24 Nov 12 - 04:14 AM

Forgot, William Holden 9mis 18secs in.

Rog

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ballad of The Wild Rovers
From: Rog Peek
Date: 24 Nov 12 - 07:59 AM

Apologies Jim, last track on 'Film Soundtrack' Main Title sung by Sheb Wooley. No credit on the album though.

Originally intended as a three-hour epic, it was heavily edited and changed by the studio without Edwards' knowledge, including a reversal of the ending from a negative one to a positive. Edwards disowned the finished film as released, and later satirised his battle with the studio in his comedy S.O.B.. Most of the deleted footage was restored for the film's 1986 home video release by MGM/UA. An official DVD-R release was issued on February 22, 2011, through the Warner Archive Collection.   (Wikipedia)

A long time since I saw the film, anyone seen it lately and can shed some light?

Rog

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ballad of The Wild Rovers
From: GUEST,Snoopy
Date: 10 Aug 18 - 04:09 AM

Hello,

I love this song since I first saw the movie many years ago! Does anyone have the lyrics? I cannot find them in www...

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ballad of The Wild Rovers
From: GUEST,Snoopy
Date: 10 Aug 18 - 05:12 AM

Here ist the song (from minute 1:45): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5RVXk7_r0E

...and what I understand of it:

-------------

1
Some wild rover he was drinking his …?
Take it easy, boys, take it slow
…?
Bound the way to Mexico

Chorus:
…? the wild rover cried
As he started on his long lonesome ride
No hill too steep, no river too wide
For a cowboy …? wild rover

2
He was born on the saddle of a cold-blooded mare
Take it easy, boys, take it slow
His pa was a lion and his ma was a bear
Bound the way to Mexico

Chorus

3
Says a man who gets married he …?
Take it easy, boys, take it slow
…?
Bound the way to Mexico

Chorus

-------------

Maybe someone of you could complete this? Unfortunately I'm no native speaker...

Thank you!

Subject: Lyr Add: THE WILD ROVER (E Sheldon/J Goldsmith)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 10 Aug 18 - 09:27 AM

This is how I hear it:


THE WILD ROVER
Words by Ernie Sheldon, music by Jerry Goldsmith
As sung by Ellen Smith in the film "Wild Rovers" (1971)

1. I saw a wild rover; he was drinking his fill.
Take it easy, boys; take it slow.
Fell off his pony; not a drop did he spill.
Bound away to Mexico. CHORUS

CHORUS: "Then fare you well," the wild rover cried
As he started on his long lonesome ride.
No hill too steep, no river too wide
For a cowboy who is a wild rover.

2. He was born on the saddle of a cold-blooded mare.
Take it easy, boys; take it slow.
His pa was a lion and his ma was a bear.
Bound away to Mexico. CHORUS

3. Says a man who gets married, he gets roped like a steer.
Take it easy, boys; take it slow.
Thinks a woman'll brand him then she'll ration his beer.
Bound away to Mexico. CHORUS

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ballad of The Wild Rovers
From: GUEST,Snoopy
Date: 10 Aug 18 - 04:46 PM

Oh that's phantastic, thank you very much, Jim!

I love the internet :-)