The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #77286   Message #4210664
Posted By: Tattie Bogle
30-Oct-24 - 12:49 PM
Thread Name: Wild Rover - do folks still sing this song?
Subject: RE: Wild Rover - do folks still sing this song?
Here are the lyrics I have for what I call the "traditional" version, though not sure of its provenance:

THE WILD ROVER

1
I have been a wild rover, this many's the year,
And I've spent all my money, drinking ale and strong beer,
But now for the future, I will take better care,
In case that misfortune shall fall to my share.

Chorus:
Wild roving I'll give it over, wild roving give o'er,
And I ne'er will be called the Wild Rover no more.

2
I went into an alehouse, I used to resort,
And I told the landlady, my money was short,
When she heard of my story, to me she did say,
I can have many customers like you any day.

3
I put my hand in my pocket, some money to find,
And I pulled out the fill of my two fists, five times,
When she saw that I had the money, and money go leor,
When she saw that I had the money, she called me her stór.
She says, "I have the whiskey, and that of the best,
And the words that I have spoken, were only in jest."

4
If I had all the money, I have placed in your care,
It would till all my lands and, my family rear,
It would thatch all my houses. It would build me a barn.
It would buy me a coat for to keep my back warm.