I've been a wild rover for many a year,
And I've 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.
Chorus
And it's no, nay, never
No, nay, never, no more,
Will I play the rover
No never, no more.
I went down 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."
Chorus...
[Traditional version of this verse:]
So I pulled from my pocket a handful of gold
And upon the round table, it glittered and rolled
She said, "We have whiskey and beer of the best,
What I told you before twas only in jest!"
[Alternate, more contemporary version:]
I took from my pocket ten sovereigns bright,
And the landlady's eyes opened wide with delight,
She said, "I have whiskeys and wines of the best,
For the words that you told me were only in jest."
[OR: And I'll take you upstairs, and I'll show you the rest."]
Chorus...
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!