The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #97556 Message #2529935
Posted By: Steve Gardham
02-Jan-09 - 04:22 PM
Thread Name: Origins: Wild Rover
Subject: RE: Origins: Wild Rover
The general theme and some of the stanzas are very common on broadsides going back at least to the 17th century, usually with 'goodfellow' in the title. Versions are common all over England in oral tradition, quite different to the Irish version. Despite having collected plenty of Yorkshire versions, I still sing the Irish version at ceilidhs and have done since the 60s simply because everyone immediately recognizes it and can join in.