I've been a wild rover for many's the year
and I've spent all me money on whiskey and beer
and 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 into an alehouse that I used to frequent
and I told the landlady me money was spent I asked her for credit,
she answered me nay such a custom like yours I could have any day
[Chorus]
I then took from me pocket ten sovereigns bright
and the landlady's eyes opened up with delight
she said she had whiskeys and wines of the best
and the words that she told me were only in jest
[Chorus]
I went home to my parents, confessed what I'd done
and I asked them to pardon their prodigal son
and when they'd forgave me as oft times before
I never will play the wild rover no more
[Chorus]