The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #5070   Message #2072972
Posted By: Q (Frank Staplin)
10-Jun-07 - 01:49 PM
Thread Name: Origins:A-Rovin/Maid from Amsterdam/Amsterdam Maid
Subject: Lyr Add: A-ROVING (Davis & Tozer)
Lyr. Add: A-ROVING
Davis and Tozer, 1887

1.
Solo
In Amsterdam there lives a maid,
Mark you well what I say!
In Amsterdam there lives a maid,
And she is mistress of her trade,
I'll go no more a-roving from you, fair maid.
Chorus
A-roving, a-roving,
Since roving's been my ruin,
I'll go no more a-roving
From you fair maid.
2.
Solo
Her eyes are like two stars so bright,
Mark you well what I say!
Her eyes are like two stars so bright,
Her face is fair, her step is light;
I'll go no more a roving from you, fair maid.
Chorus
A-roving, a-roving,
Since roving's been my ruin,
I'll go no more a-roving
From you, fair maid.
3.
Solo
Her cheeks are like the rosebuds', red,
Mark you well what I say!
Her cheeks are like the rosebuds', red,
There's a wealth of hair upon her head;
I'll go no more a-roving from you, fair maid.
4.
Solo
I often take her for a walk,
Mark you well what I say!
I often take her for a walk,
And love to hear her merry talk;
I'll go no more a-roving from you, fair maid.
5.
Solo
I love this fair maid as my life,
Mark you well what I say!
I love this fair maid as my life,
And soon she'll be my little wife;
I'll go no more a-roving from you, fair maid.
6.
Solo
And if you'd know this maiden's name,
Mary you well what I say!
And if you'd know this maiden's name,
Why soon like mine, 'twill be the same,
I'll go no more a-roving from you, fair maid.

Davis and Tozer give in full a version 37(b), "Simplified Version," which differs in music but not words.

Frederick J. Davis and Ferris Tozer, 1887 and later eds. (with 37b added to revised ed.), "Sailors' Songs or 'Chanties,'" pp. 68-71, Boosey & Co., Ltd., London.

Lacks the ribald verses added by chantey