I’ve been a wild rover for many’s the 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 wild rover 
No never, no more 

I went into an alehouse I used to frequent 
And I told the landlady my money was spent 
I asked her for credit, she answered me nay, 
Such custom as yours I can have any day 

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

I took from my pocket ten euros bright 
And the landlady’s eyes opened wide with delight 
She says I’d have whiskies and wines of the best 
And the words that she told me were only in jest 

And it’s no, nay, never 
No nay never no more 
Will I play the wild 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 when they’ve caressed me as oft times before 
Then I never will play the wild rover no more 

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


(c) Folkaholics (traditional)