Wild Rover - do folks still sing this song?

Subject: RE: Wild Rover - do folks still sing this song?
From: MaJoC the Filk
Date: 03 Nov 24 - 09:56 AM

> in a lot of workplaces people sang too

At one place of work I was in, one of the cleaners used to sing as he worked, which was by then unusual enough to attract notice. Someone instructed him to not sing, as it was disturbing some scholars' concentration; a while later, someone else told him he *should* sing, as it was good to hear someone being cheerful around the place.

The cleaner eventually solved this conundrum by moving to another department, where presumably they appreciated his taste in happiness better. Being happy to order is awkward .... which brings us back to the subject.

Subject: RE: Wild Rover - do folks still sing this song?
From: GUEST,IS
Date: 01 Nov 24 - 04:44 PM

Hamish Imlach had a good pastiche too:

I'll go to a folk club, take a shotgun along
And I'll shoot the first bastard who asks for that song
And the hangman will say as I fall through the floor
"Now you never will sing The Wild Rover no more"

Subject: RE: Wild Rover - do folks still sing this song?
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Nov 24 - 01:40 PM

I went to a toilet I used to frequent
And I told the attendant my penny was bent.
I asked him for credit he just shook his mitt
Said 'if you've no penny you'll get no cred......it

   (memory of Matt McGinn singing this?)

Subject: RE: Wild Rover - do folks still sing this song?
From: Thompson
Date: 31 Oct 24 - 05:58 AM

Singing has changed. When I was a kid it was still usual for people to sing at home, and in a lot of workplaces people sang too, often in chorus. Milkmen and coalmen and bakers' deliverymen and building workers whistled tunefully and skilfully. There were professional singers, and amateur performers, but singing was also a personal thing, practised at parties and at home. All gone now. Recording has enriched us, but has also robbed us.

Subject: RE: Wild Rover - do folks still sing this song?
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 31 Oct 24 - 05:07 AM

They don’t if you sing to this totally different tune: that’s for real too.

Subject: RE: Wild Rover - do folks still sing this song?
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Oct 24 - 01:15 PM

lots of nice words & other versions, but try & persuade non-folkies to change the habit of a lifetime & refrain from the clappy clappy/table banging version & you'll come a cropper- it's called the real world

Subject: RE: Wild Rover - do folks still sing this song?
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 30 Oct 24 - 12:49 PM

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.

Subject: RE: Wild Rover - do folks still sing this song?
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 30 Oct 24 - 06:15 AM

Kim C, back in 2008, mentioned the other version, as have others since, and yes, the tune is very similar to “Her Mantle so Green”. The words are fairly similar too, but there are no “No, nay, Nevers” to worry about!
Mick West, Scottish singer, does a very fine version.

Subject: RE: Wild Rover - do folks still sing this song?
From: Ian
Date: 29 Oct 24 - 11:28 AM

Yes, I do about once a year. I last heard it by some one else on Sunday in Hull. It does not matter which tune you use it still attracts the infectious clap.

Subject: RE: Wild Rover - do folks still sing this song?
From: GUEST,Don Meixner
Date: 28 Oct 24 - 06:53 PM

I am surprised I didn't reply to this back in the first days of this thread. Back then I would have said "Sure we do."

Today I will tell you all, "Sure we do." and we did it yesterday at a saloon in Syracuse, NY. No table banging but a lot of hand clappery and singing along. Audience participation is the whole point of the song after all. I won't say its the point of every song but it is the point of this one.

We've changed the verse arrangements a little but the chorus is the same as ever.

Don

Subject: RE: Wild Rover - do folks still sing this song?
From: MaJoC the Filk
Date: 28 Oct 24 - 11:16 AM

Thanks, Steve: it's interesting to see the footie version of Athenry, but for me the ball's the wrong shape. I've used Malcolm Austen's version in self-defence before now, and got roundly thumped by Herself for doing so without warning. (Next time, I'll see if she thinks this one by Andy McKean is an improvement.)

Meanwhile, back at the Wild Rover ....

Subject: RE: Wild Rover - do folks still sing this song?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 28 Oct 24 - 07:51 AM

I know someone who always started with

Knock, knock

Who's there?

Ribena

Ribena who?

Ribena wild rover for many a year...

Subject: RE: Wild Rover - do folks still sing this song?
From: GUEST,The Sandman
Date: 28 Oct 24 - 06:27 AM

not me, Jim,I would also rule out Martin Carthy

Subject: RE: Wild Rover - do folks still sing this song?
From: GUEST,jim bainbridge
Date: 28 Oct 24 - 05:52 AM

I always used to rag Lou Killen about being responsible for giving the song to the Clancy Brothers & thus widening its circulation- their version was the same as his.

He always denied it, and neither was responsible for the table-banging which now seems part of the WR 'experience'- who started that?

Subject: RE: Wild Rover - do folks still sing this song?
From: GUEST,The Sandman
Date: 28 Oct 24 - 03:59 AM

Indeed

Subject: RE: Wild Rover - do folks still sing this song?
From: GUEST,Steve Shaw
Date: 27 Oct 24 - 05:14 PM

If you don't care any more for the original Fields of Athenry, try this version sung by the Liverpool fans on the Kop. A true case of the folk process in action... :-) To the same tune:

Outside the Shankly Gates
I heard a Kopite calling:
Shankly they have taken you away
But you left a great eleven
Before you went to heaven
Now it's glory round the Fields of Anfield Road

All round the Fields of Anfield Road
Where once we watched the King Kenny play (and he could play)
We had Heighway on the wing
We had dreams and songs to sing
Of the glory round the Fields of Anfield Road

Outside the Paisley Gates
I heard a Kopite calling
Paisley they have taken you away...
You led the great 11
Back in Rome in 77
And the redmen they are still playing the same way

All round the Fields of Anfield Road
Where once we watched the King Kenny play (and he could play)
Steve Heighway on the wing
We had dreams and songs to sing
Of the glory round the Fields of Anfield Road

Beside the Hillsborough Flame
I heard a Kopite mourning
Why so many taken on that day?
Justice has never been done
But their memory will carry on
There'll be glory around the Fields of Anfield Road

Subject: RE: Wild Rover - do folks still sing this song?
From: MaJoC the Filk
Date: 27 Oct 24 - 04:10 PM

.... can't .... resist ....

I too find the original, and that of Fields Of Athenry, have worn out their welcome with me; but my (per)version of Wild Rover (Turn the Page Over) seems to go down well, and keeps the tune fresh in my mind.

Subject: RE: Wild Rover - do folks still sing this song?
From: Mrrzy
Date: 27 Oct 24 - 10:05 AM

I sure hear it sung!

And I never will play when I'm sober no more, I heard receny

Subject: RE: Wild Rover - do folks still sing this song?
From: The Sandman
Date: 27 Oct 24 - 03:42 AM

I have sung it in pubs when i have been asked ,it is a perfectly good song.

Subject: RE: Wild Rover - do folks still sing this song?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 26 Oct 24 - 05:55 PM

I always used to love the way the floor filled up with people doing an old fashioned Irish Waltz when I was gigging Irish pubs and clubs. This song was perfect for that.

Subject: RE: Wild Rover - do folks still sing this song?
From: GUEST,Tom Patterson
Date: 26 Oct 24 - 05:38 PM

Well said, Jim Bainbridge! I hope Bob Davenport is okay, what a singer!

Subject: RE: Wild Rover - do folks still sing this song?
From: GUEST,jim bainbridge
Date: 26 Oct 24 - 01:14 PM

I was in a pub session somewhere when someomeone asked for this song - Bob Davenport was in the vcompany & to my surprise was quite keen for me to do it. I did & the crowd loved it- Bob said to always do what folk asked for, even the WR.

You can do owt ye like after that' he said and I've always found that good advice! Really, what's the alternative?- refusing to do a song you know is just bad manners

Subject: RE: Wild Rover - do folks still sing this song?
From: GUEST,Steve Shaw
Date: 26 Oct 24 - 10:54 AM

I've "sung" along with many a song in my time, but Wild Rover is the only one I've ever "sung" solo, and it was entirely unintentional. Someone in the pub asked for it in our session one New Year's Eve, so I started it up, expecting everyone to join in. After one solo verse I had no option but to carry on. The only joining-in was the usual banging on the table. I kind of thought that I'd stunned everyone into silence with my terrible singing, but at the end I got raucous cheers and clapping. I think it was because they'd heard me playing tunes for years but had never heard me sing. Brave lad, the poor thing, they must've thought...

Subject: RE: Wild Rover - do folks still sing this song?
From: Jack Campin
Date: 26 Oct 24 - 07:54 AM

A New Zealand maker produced a special wine for this song.

Chardon

And it's no nay never, no nay never no more...

Subject: RE: Wild Rover - do folks still sing this song?
From: Tim Leaning
Date: 22 Mar 08 - 03:34 PM

Hey dunno about it getting sung much but havent stopped humming it since I spotted this thread.
At least its not the bloody spice girls this time.

Subject: RE: Wild Rover - do folks still sing this song?
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 22 Mar 08 - 02:34 PM

It's not the songs fault, is it?

Subject: RE: Wild Rover - do folks still sing this song?
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 22 Mar 08 - 04:50 AM

Guest TJ
Agree totally with your sentiments, though I do believe that all too often vigour takes the place of interpretation.
Apart from Finnegan's Wake I can think of beautiful versions from source singers, of all the songs you mention.
Would add 'Black Velvet Band' and 'Johnny I Hardly Knew You' to the list.
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Wild Rover - do folks still sing this song?
From: Mr Red
Date: 21 Mar 08 - 05:46 AM

I have been known to sing the "Wild Shrover" on Pancake Day.

I'll get my coat................

Subject: RE: Wild Rover - do folks still sing this song?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 21 Mar 08 - 05:41 AM

'I find it interesting how a song about temperance has been perverted into a drinking song.'

Pervertted......?

as Rod steiger said in No Way to Treat a Lady - it doesn't mean you're not a nice person!

Subject: RE: Wild Rover - do folks still sing this song?
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 20 Mar 08 - 11:31 PM

I find it interesting how a song about temperance has been perverted into a drinking song. Oh well...


Seamus

Subject: RE: Wild Rover - do folks still sing this song?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 20 Mar 08 - 09:15 PM

I went into an alehouse
I ordered some rum
I said to the lanlady - show us your bum

Then in walked the Landlord
His name it was Giok
He said, buy us a Guiness I'll show you me .....

Then in walked the the barmaid,her name was Annie


And now And this song I will bring to a closure
About all the perils
Of indecent exposure

Subject: RE: Wild Rover - do folks still sing this song?
From: GUEST,TJ in San Diego
Date: 20 Mar 08 - 05:44 PM

"The Wild Rover"
"Finnegan's Wake"
"The Moonshiner (any one of 'em)"
"Brennan on the Moor"
"The Wild Colonial Boy"
"Rosin the Beau"

Any one or all, along with many others, could be considered overdone, hackneyed or stale - on either side of the great pond. But every one, done with integrity and great vigor, and in the right place and time, is still entertaining and valuable - and fun!

Subject: RE: Wild Rover - do folks still sing this song?
From: RTim
Date: 20 Mar 08 - 05:07 PM

The Alternative version text:

WILD ROVER.

I've been a wild rover for many a long year
IÕve spent all my money boys in fine girls and strong beer,
So for my part I will lay up my money in store
And ItÕs never will I play the wild rover no more.

Chorus
Wild Rover, Wild Rover, Wild Rover no more,
And ItÕs never will I play the Wild Rover no more.

I callÕd at some an ale-house I usÕd to resort,
The liquor was good, but my money was short:
I askÕd them to trust me, but their answer was nay,
Such a customer as you, my boy, we can have any day."

Then I pulled out my handfuls of money straightway
It was only for to try them to hear what theyÕd say,
YouÕre welcome kind sir to liquor of the best
What I told you before was only in jest."

Oh no I replied that never will be,
IÕll see you all hanged if I spend one penny;
For a man thatÕs got money, he may sing and may roar,
But a man thatÕs got none must be turned out of doors.

You should see the landlady, at ease in her chair,
With her ruffles round her wrist, fine curls in her hair,
ItÕs got by our money boys, that you very well know,
And for to maintain them - we are fools if we do.

-----------------------------------------------
From Henry Lee of Whitchurch - May 1906 (H346)
From Frank PurslowÕs Constant Lovers page 109
Verses 3 & 4 based on version via Wiltshire and Alfred Williams.

Tim Radford

Subject: RE: Wild Rover - do folks still sing this song?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 20 Mar 08 - 04:00 PM

I still sing it to myself in the breaking hours of dawn, when one is alone with ones innermost feelings. The words of of this young man so far from home and his loved ones never fails move me deeply.

Over the yaers I have changed the words slightly.

Subject: RE: Wild Rover - do folks still sing this song?
From: JedMarum
Date: 20 Mar 08 - 03:53 PM

There are certain songs that generation after generation keeps asking for. Wild Rover is one of them. I play it every time it's requested (within reason) - only in the Pubs, though.

Subject: RE: Wild Rover - do folks still sing this song?
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 20 Mar 08 - 03:51 PM

Missed this one first time round.
For me the song was kicked to death by The Clancy's and all the other singing pullovers, until I came across the one from Pat McCardle, Mary Anne Carolan's brother - beautiful reflective version, far more in keeping withthe sense of the song:
Wild roving I'll give over, wild roving no meor.
And I ne'er will be called the wild rover no more.
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Wild Rover - do folks still sing this song?
From: skarpi
Date: 20 Mar 08 - 03:36 PM

jabb we still do , in Icelandic , sounds a little diffrent

Subject: RE: Wild Rover - do folks still sing this song?
From: GUEST,The Mole Catcher's unplugged Apprentice
Date: 20 Mar 08 - 03:27 PM

Wild Rover - do folks still sing this song?

no, nay, never, no more!!

damn beaten to the punch *LOL*

Charlotte (now I can't get the stupid tune out of my head)

Subject: RE: Wild Rover - do folks still sing this song?
From: michaelr
Date: 20 Mar 08 - 03:24 PM

No, nay, never.

Subject: RE: Wild Rover - do folks still sing this song?
From: Maryrrf
Date: 20 Mar 08 - 03:04 PM

It will very likely be requested in pubs and the audience seems to enjoy it. It's a reliable 'crowd pleaser'. We do it when we play in pubs because we're there to please!

Subject: RE: Wild Rover - do folks still sing this song?
From: GUEST,Jonny Sunshine
Date: 20 Mar 08 - 02:53 PM

I'm not proud, I'll sing the Wild Rover if I'm being paid handsomely ;-)
Actually I wrote a song where I nicked a couple of lines (for ironic effect), not until afterwards did I realise the tune was pretty similar too.
I'm sure there's plenty more versions out there that haven't been done to death yet.

Subject: RE: Wild Rover - do folks still sing this song?
From: RTim
Date: 20 Mar 08 - 02:36 PM

It depends what version you mean?
I have started singing a version collected in my home county of Hampshire in England, which has a very different tune to that of the more commonly known song, and I believe that this is also being sung by fellow Mudcatter - Brian Peters, and by Paul Sartin; in fact Paul has recorded it with a choir on the re-issue of Folk Songs from Hampshire on Forest Tracks Records.
http://www.forest-tracks.co.uk/folk_music_pages/folk_music_folksongs.html

Tim Radford

Subject: RE: Wild Rover - do folks still sing this song?
From: Kim C
Date: 20 Mar 08 - 01:46 PM

Okay, so I'm 3 years late on this, but maybe I'll get extra points for using the search and not starting a new thread. ;-)

Anyhow, Mister and I do this song a lot, as apparently it's hugely popular with reenactors. We have the Holding Up the Other Half of the Sky (or whatever it's called) CD, which uses a melody similar to "Her Mantle So Green." So we got to wondering. . . which melody for this song is older?

Subject: RE: Wild Rover - do folks still sing this song?
From: Peterr
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 05:28 PM

It's one of the songs you can use to get a pub audience's attention back after you've sung two or three of the ones YOU want to sing. I really like the tune the Dransfields used - similar to the usual but slower and with the odd flattened note - minor key or modal or something I don't understand. Must ask the musical theory brains of the household.

Subject: RE: Wild Rover - do folks still sing this song?
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 06:12 AM

Thanks guys, my heart's bursting with pride! Got something right at last! (LOL!)
S:0)

Subject: RE: Wild Rover - do folks still sing this song?
From: GUEST,Folkiefrank
Date: 30 Jan 05 - 10:36 PM

Strollin' Johnny ,you called it right, and if anyone remembers that far back, thwy were the stage uniform of the Clancy Brothers, even at their re-union concert circa 1990(?) !!

Subject: RE: Wild Rover - do folks still sing this song?
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 30 Jan 05 - 09:53 PM

I've been to Aran Island, taking a Ferry over from Clare, and have seen people seling their home-knitted Aran sweaters. You've got that right, Strollin' Johnny.

Chanteyranger

Subject: RE: Wild Rover - do folks still sing this song?
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 30 Jan 05 - 03:40 PM

Those 'thick cable-knit Arran sweaters' are actually Aran sweaters - one 'r' only - and are nothing whatsoever to do with the Western Isles, they originate from the Irish island of Aran, not the Scottish island of Arran. That's what I've read but I expect that, as usual, some smart-arse will tell me I'm wrong! LOL!
S:0)

Subject: RE: Wild Rover - do folks still sing this song?
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 30 Jan 05 - 02:23 PM

Chanteyranger,

I'll suggest that one, and see what results. If any of you guys are going to Sidmouth this year, you'll find us both in the front bar of the Bedford, and you can hear for yourselves. I'll be the one with "Wysiwyg" printed acroos the scratch plate of his guitar. Hope to see you there. Maybe you might even stretch a point and invite us to do a spot for you in the middle bar one day. Relax! I'm only joking.

Don T.

Subject: RE: Wild Rover - do folks still sing this song?
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 30 Jan 05 - 02:04 PM

Don T, that's hilarious. I'd love to hear a version sung in the style of Gov Schwarzenegger.

Chanteyranger