I've been a wild rover for many a year I spent all me 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 wild rover, no never, no more
I went in to an alehouse I used to frequent And I told the landlady me money was spent I asked her for credit, she answered me "Nay!" "Such custom as yours I could have any day!"
chorus I took out of me pocket ten sovereigns bright And the landlady's eyes opened wide with delight She said: "I have whiskeys and wines on the best! And the words that I told you were only in jest!"
Chorus
I'll go home to my parents, confess what I've done And ask them to pardon their prodigal son And when they've caressed me as oftimes before I never will play the wild rover no more.