I’ve been a wild rover

for many a 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 ale-house

I used to frequent,

and I told the landlady

my money was spent.

I asked her for credit,

she answered me «Nay,

such a custom like 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 drew from my pocket

ten sovereigns bright,

and the landlady’s eyes

opened wide with delight;

she said «You’ll have whiskeys

and wines of the best

and the words that I told you

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

and confess what I’ve done,

and I’ll ask them to pardon

their prodigal son,

and when they forgive me,

as oftimes before,

sure, 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!