These words were composed by Spencer the Rover Who traveled Great Britain and most parts of Wales He had been so reduced, which caused great confusion And that was the reason he went on the roam
In Yorkshire, near Rotherham, he had been on his rambles Being weary of traveling, he sat down to rest At the foot of yonder mountain there runs a clear fountain With bread and cold water he himself did refresh
It tasted more sweeter than the gold he had wasted More sweeter than honey and gave more content But the thoughts of his babies, lamenting their father Brought tears to his eyes which made him lament
The night fast approaching, to the woods he resorted With woodbine and ivy his bed for to make There he dreamt about sighing, lamenting and crying Go home to your family and wandering forsake
On the fifth of november, I've a reason to remember When first he arrived home to his family and wife They stood so surprised, when first he arrived To behold such a stranger once more in their sight
His children came around him with their prittle prattling stories With their prittle prattling stories to drive care away Now they are united, like birds of one feather Like bees in one hive, contented they'll be
So now he is a living in his cottage contented With woodbine and roses growing all around his door He's as happy as those who have thousands of riches Contented he'll stay and go a rambling no more