The Wild Rover

Sitting in the pub the other night, someone started singing The Wild Rover.

Fortunately, he only new the first verse (his voice was even worse than mine). For anyone else who is desperate to know the full version, here it is:-

The Wild Rover

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

And it’s no, nay, never
No, nay, never, no more,
Will I play the rover
No never, no more.

I went into to an ale house I used to frequent,
And I told the landlady my money was spent.
I asked her for credit, but she answered me “Nay.
Such custom like yours I could have any day.”

And it’s no, nay, never
No, nay, never, no more,
Will I play the rover
No never, no more.

I pulled from my pocket ten sovereigns bright,
And the landlady’s eyes opened wide with delight,
“The words that I said sir were only in jest,
For you I have whiskeys and wines of the best.”

And it’s no, nay, never
No, nay, never, no more,
Will I play the rover
No never, no more.

I’ll go home to my parents, confess what I’ve done,
And I’ll ask them to pardon their prodigal son.
And if they caress me as oft times before,
I never will play the wild rover no more!

So next time you are out on a sing-a-long lets here the full version belted out (Remember it always sounds better after several pints of beer - preferably Guiness!!)