SPENCER THE ROVER

This song was composed by Spencer the Rover,
Who'd travelled through England and most parts of Wales,
There had been much reducing which caused great confusion,
And that was the reason he rambled away

In Yorkshire near Rotherham still being on the ramble,
Being weary of travelling he sat down to rest,
At the foot of the mountain there sprung a clear fountain
With pleasant cold water himself did refresh.

It tasted more sweeter than the gold he had wasted,
More sweeter than honey and gave more content,
But the thoughts of his children lamenting their father
Brought tears to his eyes and caused him to repent.

Now the night fast approaching, to the woods he departed,
With woodbine and ivy his bed for to make,
he heard the birds sighing, lamenting and crying,
Come home to your family and rambling forsake.

Oh the fifth of November I've got reasons to remember
'Twas then I first returned to my family and wife,
They looked so surprised to see my arrival,
To see such a stranger once more in their life.

Then his children gathered round him with their prittle, prattling stories,
With their prittle, prattling stories which to drive care away,
So we will be united like birds of one feather,
Like bees in one hive contented we'll stay.

So now I am placed in my cottage contented
With woodbine and ivy climbing all round the door,
I am happy as those that's got plenty of riches,
Contented I'll stay and go rambling no more.