Hi,

I have one broadside version, maybe you can email me the earliest one you have. The Roving Bachelor is related to "Seventeen" in Bell Robertson's version of 'I Love my Love,' Roud 5528. The questions posed in 'I Love my Love' are the same as those found in Roving Bachelor. 'I Love my Love,' related to Seventeen only in Roberston's version, is a variant of Wanton Lad/Roving Bachelor, Roud 1649. Here's the text William Walker sent James Francis Child in 1891-- I presume to consider for inclusion in ESPB. It never made it as one of the 305, however, perhaps it should have- and may be a study some day.

The Wanton Lad

I've been a wanton
A wanton a' my life
And I am resolved
To go and seek a wife
   [missing, unknown syllable chorus (See Greig Duncan C)]

The first thing that I asked her
Wad I convey her hame
The answer that she gaed to me
I wish to walk my lane

The next thing that I asked her
Was gin she was a maid
An' the answer that she gave to me
I once was one she said

The next thing that I asked her
Was she a maid just noo,
The answer that she gave to me
I'm sure I'm one for you.

The next thing that I asked her,
Was where did she dwell,
An' the answer that she gave me
Was, atween Heaven and Hell.

A better version of Walker's text is given in Greig/Duncan- version C. Roud gives other versions of 5528 which are Roud 1649.

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Richie