I’ve been a wild rover for many’s the year,
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.

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 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 as your’s I can have any day!”

Chorus

I then took from my pocket ten sov’reigns bright
And the landlady’s eyes opened wide with delight.
She said “I have whiskeys, and wines of 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 I’ll ask them to pardon their prodigal son.
And when they’ve caressed me as often before
I never will play the wild rover no more.

Chorus (3x)