Lyr Req: Wild Rover

Subject: WILD ROVER
From: Bugsy
Date: 05 Jul 00 - 03:35 AM

Click for related thread

---

I'm working on an alternate version of "The Wild Rover", changing it from a "knock it out" and "sing it when you're pissed" chorus song to more of a ballad.

I've heard something similar before and remember another verse which came after "Then out of my pocket, I took sovereigns bright". Something about "If I had all the money I'd left in you care.....etc, and something about having a new coat and a roof on the barn.

Can anyone help please.

Cheers

Bugsy

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: WILD ROVER
From: Clinton Hammond2
Date: 05 Jul 00 - 03:52 AM

Now I've been a folksinger
For many a year
"Can ya sing the Wild Rover"
Is all that I hear
So I think I'll retire
To live on the dole
Where I won't have to play
The Wild Rover no more!!

LOL!!!!

{~`

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: WILD ROVER
From: IanC
Date: 05 Jul 00 - 04:18 AM

Bugsy

The "original" version was collected from Sam Larner, Norfolk, England (in 1953 I think) by Ewan MacColl and Peggy Seeger and published in their book "This Singing Island", 1960. It wasn't that kind of song then.

It was used and popularised in the '60s by "The Dubliners" who made it into a hit single. Hence the "wildness" you know today.

There are a number of other versions, usually under the title of "Roving, I'll give it over" (Or "Wild Roving ...") though there are none in DT that I can find. There have been some recent threads about it though, so worth a search.

Cheers!
Ian

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: WILD ROVER
From: Bugsy
Date: 05 Jul 00 - 05:21 AM

Thanks to Joe Offer, I've found the verse I was looking for plus another that he found.

See here: Click here

Thanks Joe, and IanC

Cheers

Bugsy

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: WILD ROVER
From: Bugsy
Date: 05 Jul 00 - 05:25 AM

That didn't work. Try

See here: Click here

Cheers

Bugsy

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: WILD ROVER
From: GUEST,JMCC
Date: 05 Jul 00 - 08:10 AM

The verse I sang was a varient.

If I had all the money, I've left in your care,
It would buy me a big house , my family to rear.
It would buy me a big house, It would thatch me a barn,
It would buy me a new coat, to keep me back warm.

I think I got it from the Dransfield's.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: WILD ROVER
From: radriano
Date: 05 Jul 00 - 11:11 AM

My band, Out of the Rain, did a version of The Wild Rover that had a different melody than the usual version. We got the setting from a tape a friend of mine made at a concert at the Cecil Sharp House in England. There were no introductions on the tape so we don't know the singer's name but he was an Irishman.

It's one of the cuts on our new CD (shameless plug). I'll see if I can post it as an MP3 file.


Regards,
radriano

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: WILD ROVER
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 05 Jul 00 - 02:37 PM

Something people never seem to notice is that this it's a Temperance Song. The perils of drink. The Prodigal Son sees the error of his ways, and turns for home. The Drunkard's Repentance.

What I've always wondered is whether there are othwer versions around which are closer to their roots, and if anyone can identity those roots. I suspect there is an earnest straight version of the song which started it on it's travels.

And if we can't find it here, where can we hope to find it?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: WILD ROVER
From: IanC
Date: 06 Jul 00 - 04:03 AM

Kevin

The roots are quite old. The broadside versions (there are at least 6 in the Bodleian collection) date back to at least 1800. The words are not dissimilar to the version we all know and (?)love, though - as is often the case - ther is no chorus.

If I get time, I'll transcribe one of the early ones.

Cheers!
Ian

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: WILD ROVER
From: alison
Date: 06 Jul 00 - 04:16 AM

Remind me next time I'm in hearme and I'll sing you a nice ballad version of it Bugsy... no extra verses though....

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: WILD ROVER
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 06 Jul 00 - 05:27 AM

Early 19th century at least? That's interesting - I'd been rather assuming it was a distilled version of some improving tale from a bit later - maybe something more like the Gordon League Ballads.

The Gordon League Ballads - they were a series recitations about the evils of drink and related stuff, for temperance meetings and so forth. Not as ponderous as they sound, they have a soap opera quality about them, with the same characters turning up again and again.

Here's a sample of one, with, which has an echo of the Wild Rover (I don't mean that I think it's a close relative, but it's the same world):

Now Smuts was bred teetotal. He was full of pluck and fun.
He'd ask for what he wanted in the face of anyone.

So he swings along one morning, and walks into "The Bull"
On a blazing day in summer when the bar was brimming full

And he asks for milk-and-soda, or a mug of lemonade.
Of course they hadn't got it. "Then," says he, "the liquor trade
Is not the trade it should be! Here's a public-house," says he,
And I am one of the public. And yet you can't serve me!"

You should have seen them staring! The landlord weighed a ton.
He stood with his mouth wide open. "Can I get a Currant Bun!"

And so on through the rest of the story, which has the hero setting up a Temperance Bar, and forcing the pubs to move over to selling lemonade and currant buns.

Subject: Lyr/Tune Add: I HAVE BEEN A WILD BOY^^
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 06 Jul 00 - 11:57 PM

G'day all,

Bugy, IanC et al,

I have an interesting variant collected in Australia from that lovely old singer Sally Sloane, entitled I've Been a Wild Boy. The tune Sally sang is also different, essentially the same as a song that used to end many UK folk Club nights in the 1970s(~)Here's a Health to the Company, and to my Lass.

I HAVE BEEN A WILD BOY

Oh, my father he died and he left me his estate,
I married a lady whose fortune was great,
And through keeping bad company, I've spent all my store,
I have been a wild boy but I'll be so no more.

Oh, there was Bill, Tom and Harry, and Betsy and Sue,
And two or three others belonged to our crew.
We sat up till midnight and made the town roar,
Oh, I've been a wild boy but I'll be so no more.

I was always too fond of treating ladies to wine,
Till my pockets grew empty, too soon I would find;
Twenty pounds in one night, oh, I've spent them and more,
Oh, I've been a wild boy but I'll be so no more.

Oh, it's first down to Newgate, a prisoner I stand,
I had on cold irons, I had to lament,
And I had to find comfort as I lay on the floor,
Oh, I've been a wild boy but I'll be so no more.

Oh, the next, down to Newgate a prisoner I stand,
And what I have longed for, is now out of hand,
And if ever I gain my liberty, as I've had before,
I will be a good boy as I have been before.

Oh, bad luck to all married men who visit strange doors,
I have done so myself, but I'll do so no more,
I'll go home to my family, I'll go home to my wife,
And I'll be a good boy all the rest of my life.

---

Click to play

To play or display ABC tunes, try concertina.net

---

ABC format:

X:1
T:
M:3/4
Q:1/4=120
K:C
F5G|A3GA2|F2D2C2|D2F2G2|F4c2|d2d2c^A|^A2c2d2|
A3GF2|G4c2|d2d2c^A|^A2c2d2|A3GF2|G4FG|A3GA2|
F4DC|D2F3G|F5/2||

Regards,

Bob Bolton ^^

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: WILD ROVER
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 08 Jul 00 - 04:41 AM

Good boy, good song!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: WILD ROVER
From: Wolfgang
Date: 28 Feb 02 - 01:09 PM

refresh

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: WILD ROVER
From: radriano
Date: 28 Feb 02 - 01:28 PM

In my earlier post to this thread the singer in question was Sean Corcoran who sang the song at a concert spot at the Cecil Sharp House in England sometime in the late 1970's. Sean collected it from the singing of Mrs. Carolan of Drogheda. Mrs. Carolan's maiden name was Usher and, apparently, this was the favourite song of her late brother "Pop" Usher.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: WILD ROVER
From: MartinRyan
Date: 28 Feb 02 - 02:58 PM

Richard

That quiet version that Sean sang is often known as "The Drogheda Wild Rover", presumably from that connecton.

Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: WILD ROVER
From: Mrrzy
Date: 28 Feb 02 - 03:01 PM

A group called the Ragamuffins, in a Dublin pub called (what else?) Molly Malone, sang the chorus as And I never will play when I'm sober no more!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: WILD ROVER
From: radriano
Date: 28 Feb 02 - 04:59 PM

Martin, thanks for your post. I have been singing that version of "Wild Rover" for many years but it was only last month that I finally found out that Sean Corcoran was my source. Sean is a truly fine singer. I first heard him recorded on the album "Sailing Into Walpole's Marsh" and, more recently, have enjoyed his work with "The Voice Squad" and his band "Cran."

Richard

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: WILD ROVER
From: cobber
Date: 01 Mar 02 - 07:16 AM

The wild rover has been known in Australia for many years and was picked up by Brian Mooney back in the 60s. Luke Kelly told me they learned the song from him. I remember him saying how they had to change some of the Australianisms such as, in Australia, the old bush pubs were called shanties and the Dubliners changed it to Alehouse. Personally, I don't care how overdone it is. It's a great feeling to be in a pub when you've had a few and feel the power of a hundred odd voices roaring the chorus. The Dubliners version is almost word for word to the Australian version except they left out a final verse which talks about all the girls in the singer's life, but then, nobody in Australia seems to like that verse enough to include it either.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: WILD ROVER
From: pavane
Date: 01 Mar 02 - 03:37 PM

The Dransfields did a version with a different tune in the early 1970's, but I suppose the recording has been Bulmerised.

Subject: Lyr Add: WILD ROVER parody
From: Les Jones
Date: 02 Mar 02 - 03:09 AM

It's a temperance song, probably of English origin and has enjoyed life passing itself off, amongst many other things, as an Irish drinking song. A great example of the oral tradition.

I've sung the Wild Rover for many's the year.
I've sung it so often, I'm sick up to here.
But now I have taken vows 20 or more
I never will sing the Wild Rover no more.

No, nay, never...
Will I sing the Wild Rover
No, never, no more

I went to a Folk Club on a fine sunny day,
A chummy little place down ________ way.
I sang out a chorus and felt sort of chuffed.
The audience stood up shouting, "Go and get stuffed."

No, nay, never...

I drew from my set list a song brand spanking new,
No religion or politics and not even blue.
I sang out a chorus. The audience looked surprised.
It was only a folk song in heavy disguise.

It went, "No, nay, never...."

I'll go to St Peter, confess what I've done,
And hope that he'll pardon this song-stealing bum.
And if he'll forgive me and open his door,
I never will sing the Wild Rover no more.

No, nay, never, no more

But we will and enjoy it

HTML line breaks added. (You used "b" where you should have used "br".) --JoeClone, 24-Jun-02.

Subject: Lyr Add: WILD ROVER (from the Dransfields)
From: RolyH
Date: 22 Jun 02 - 04:54 PM

Always thought "Wild Rover" was a bit of a naff song,but recently got hold of a copy (after many years of looking)of the Dransfields "Lord of all I Behold" On it is thier version, sung to a similar tune,which puts a more sinister slant on the song and there are not so many "No Nay Nevers" .Unfortunately it is on the Trailer label and,yes,it is now locked away by Mr Bulmer.


I've been a wild rover for many's the year
And I've spent all my money on whiskey and beer
And now I'm returning with gold in great store
And I never will play the wild rover no more

I went to an alehouse I used to resort
And began for to tell them my money was short
When I asked them to forgive me,they answered me "Nay"
Such custom as yours we can have any day

If I had all the money I've left in your care
It would buy me a new house my family to rear
It would buy me a big house and thatch me a barn
It would buy me a new coat to keep my back warm

I'll go back to my family and tell them what I've done
And ask them to pardon their prodigal son
And if they'll forgive me as often before
Then I never will play the wild rover no more
No nay never,no nay never no more
Will I play the wild rover,nay never no more

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: WILD ROVER
From: Gareth
Date: 22 Jun 02 - 07:18 PM

A Question - Like so many of the poularised "Folk" Songs, did the "Wild Rover" introduce people to Folk Music ?

Or are we to treat the "Wild Rover" to scorn because it's a song the entire bar will sing.

I must confess I find mt hand slapping the bar in time whenever I hear it.

Gareth

"And if they forgive me as they've done times before,
I'll borrow a fiver, and look for a whore !"

Subject: Lyr/Chords/Tune Add: WILD ROVER (from Gabriel Figg
From: Joan from Wigan
Date: 23 Jun 02 - 05:56 AM

And here's another version, from the book "Folksongs of Britain and Ireland", ed. Peter Kennedy, first published 1975, my copy dated 1984, Oak Publications:

THE WILD ROVER
(from the singing of Gabriel Figg, West Chiltington, Sussex, recorded by P. Kennedy 1953)

I have [Bb]played the wild [F]rover for many's [Bb]a [F]year
I've [C7]spent all my [F]money on 'bacco and [C]beer
I've [F]done it be[Bb]fore, but I'll [F]do it no [Bb]more
I [F]never will [Bb]play the wild [C7]rover no [F]more

Chorus:
Then I'll say: [C]Nay, [G7]no, [C]never, [F]never, [F7]no [Bb]more
I [F]never will [Bb]play the wild [F]rover [C7]no [F]more

I called into an alehouse where I frequently went
I told the landlady my money I'd spent
I called for a pot, but she answered me: nay
We have plenty of custom like yours every day
And she said...

I put me hand in my pocket, so manly and bold
And up on the counter threw silver and gold
O stay, sir, O stay, I was only in jest
I've ale and I've rum and I've brandy the best
But I said...

I'll go home to my parents as I oft ought t'ave done
And I'll ask them to pardon this prodigal son
If they will forgive me which they've oft done before
I never will play the wild rover no more
Then I'll say...

If I'd all the money I'd left in your care
I would buy a great saddle to ride the grey mare
I'd save all my money, get it up in great store
And I'll be a wild rover, wild rover no more
And I'll say...

So now I'll give over and I'll lead a new life
And I'll stop all my ramblings and look for a wife
I'll pay up back reckonings, put my money in store
And I never will play the wild rover no more
And so I'll say...

X:1
T:Wild Rover
M:3/4
K:F
FG|B2B2A2|G2F2G2|A2F2D2|C4C2|
C2D2E2|F2E2F2|A2c2c2|G4c2|
A2G2A2|B4AB|c2A2F2|D4c2|
c3AA2|F2D2B,2|C2D2E2|F3||
FEF|G4F2|E2C4|A2G2A2|B2A2c2|
c3AF2|F3DB,2|C2A2G2|F4||

Joan

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: WILD ROVER
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 23 Jun 02 - 07:03 AM

G'day Cobber:

" ... The wild rover has been known in Australia for many years and was picked up by Brian Mooney back in the 60s. Luke Kelly told me they learned the song from him."

Come off it cobber! The Wild Rover was a common song in Australia as far back as the 19th century ... as it was anywhere else in the English-speaking world. Quite early in his tape-recording collecting (c. 1954), John Meredith collected an excellent version from a great old singer, Joe Cashmere - which is the version I anthologised in Singabout - Selected Reprints.

Brian Mooney may have taken to singing the version the Dubliners sang (one of my less favourite renditions ... but well known and 'popular') ... but that was Brian, personally. I certainly knew the song long before I ever heard the Dubliners render it.

Regards,

Bob Bolton

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: WILD ROVER
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 23 Jun 02 - 07:33 AM

G'day again Cobber:

After a quick perusal off-line, I note that Wild Rover ... with all the Australian references that Luke Kelly claims where invented by Brian Mooney "back in the 60s" is printed in the Stewart & Keesing revision of 'Banjo' Paterson's ,i>Old Bush Songs as a version from Dr Percy Jones's late '40s/early '50s collection ... and that Paterson had a version in his earlier edition. I can't see it in his 1905 edition, but it, presumably, was in the 1912 edition. All of these have the Australian references. Brain Mooney would have been wel aware of all these version.

Luke should have taken more water with it!

Regard(les)s,

Bob Bolton

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: WILD ROVER
From: nutty
Date: 23 Jun 02 - 10:51 AM

I think the version published in THE EFDSS publication "CONSTANT LOVERS" may be the one that Bugsy is looking for.It was collect by Gardiner from a Henry Lee of Whitchurch, Hants in 1906 and although the tune is similar to the regular version - the song is sung much slower and has a very distinctive chorus.

Words will be posted later (no time at present) and I can also do a MIDI of the tune unless someone beats me to it.

Subject: Lyr Add: WILD ROVER (from Henry Lee)
From: nutty
Date: 23 Jun 02 - 05:34 PM

WILD ROVER

I've been a wild rover for many a long year
And I've spent all my money, bots, in fine girls and strong beer
So for my part I will lay up my money in store
And it's never will I play the wild rover no more
CHORUS
Wild rover, wild rover, wild rover no more
And it's never will I play the wild rover no more

I called at some alehouse where I used to resort
The liquor was good but my money run short
I asked them to trust me but their answer was "nay"
Such a customer as you, my boy, we may have any day

Then I pulled out my handfuls of money straightway
It was only to try them to hear what they'd say
"You're welcome, kind sir, to liqour of the best
What I told you before was only in jest"

"Oh no," I replied,"that never will be,
I'll see you all hanged if I spend one penny For a man that's got money, he may sing and may roar,
but a man that's got none must be turned out of doors"

You should see the landlady, at ease in her chair
With her ruffles round her wrists, fine curls in her hair
It's got by our money, boys, as you very well know
And for to maintain them - well, we're fools if we do

Collected by Hammond and Gardiner in 1906 from Henry Lee of Whitchurch, Hants.
Published by the EFDSS in Constant Lovers - 1972

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: WILD ROVER
From: nutty
Date: 23 Jun 02 - 05:53 PM

I've just found a broadside of the above version in the Bodleian Library so now have a date of printing as between 1817 and 1828. The final verse in the version I printed was likely a later addition

THE WILD ROVER

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: WILD ROVER
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 23 Jun 02 - 06:49 PM

Frank Purslow, who edited The Constant Lovers, specified:

"Verses 3 and 4 based on a version noted in Wiltshire by Alfred Williams."

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: WILD ROVER
From: GUEST,Michael McNamara
Date: 03 May 10 - 04:41 AM

not to mention Bob Dylan in which the verse

I go to some hollow
and sit at my still
and if the whiskey dont kill me
I don't know what will.

Sort of American I think