Well I've played the wild rover for many a year,
And I've spent all my money on whisky and beer,
But now I'm returning with gold in good store,
And I'll never play the wild rover no more,
CHORUS
And it's no nay never, no nay never no more,
And will I play the wild rover, no never no more.
Well I went to an ale house I used to frequent,
And I told the land lady my money was spent,
I asked her for credit, she answered me "nay",
Say, "custom like yours I can get any day".
CHORUS
Then I took from my pocket ten sovereigns bright,
And the landlady's eyes opened wide with delight,
She brought for me wines and her ales of the best,
Say the harsh words she'd spoken were only in jest.
CHORUS
Then I went to a shit house I used to frequent,
And told the attendant my penny was bent,
I begged him for entrance; he answered me "nay",
So I shat on the floor and said "clean that away".
CHORUS
Then I went out walking with my Uncle Jim,
Some bastard threw rotten tomatoes at him,
Now tomatoes don't hurt cos they're soft with a skin,
But these buggers did, they were still in the tin.
CHORUS
Then I went to my parents confessed what I'd done,
And I asked them to pardon their prodigal son,
They forgave and caressed me as oft time before,
And I never will play the wild rover no more.