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.
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."
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!"
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."
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!