[Editor: This song was published in Old Bush Songs: Composed and Sung in the Bushranging, Digging, and Overlanding Days (8th edition, 1932), edited by Banjo Paterson.]
A Wild Rover No More
I’ve been a wild rover this many a year,
And spent all my money on whisky and beer;
But now I’m returning with gold in great store,
And I never shall play the wild rover no more.
Chorus
Nay, no, never! never no more;
I never shall play the wild rover no more.
I dropt into a shanty I used to frequent,
And told the landlady my money was spent;
I asked her for credit; she answered me “Nay,
“Such custom as yours I can get every day.”
Chorus: Nay, no, etc.
Putting hand in my pocket, I drew forth sovereigns bright;
The landlady’s eyes sparkled then with delight —
Said she “I’ve whisky and brandy and wines of the best,
And those words I just told you were only in jest.”
Chorus: Nay, no, etc.
I’ll go home to my parents, tell them what I’ve done,
And ask them to forgive their prodigal son;
And if they will do it, as they’ve oft done before,
I never shall play the wild rover no more.
Chorus: Nay, no, etc.
Source:
A. B. Paterson (editor), Old Bush Songs: Composed and Sung in the Bushranging, Digging, and Overlanding Days (8th edition), Sydney: Angus & Robertson, 1932, pp. 59-60
Editor’s notes:
nay = an archaic form of “no”; however, it is still sometimes used regarding voting (e.g. to vote yea or nay), in formal circumstances, in some dialects (e.g. in the north of England), and as a substitute for “no” when some emphasis is desired
oft = (archaic) often
prodigal son = someone (especially a young man) who returns from travelling, exile, or from a long absence (especially referring to someone who has returned, duly repentant, after leaving in disgrace); from the Parable of the Prodigal Son, in the Bible (Luke 15:11-32)
shanty = a pub, especially an unlicensed pub; may also refer to a small roughly-built cabin or hut
sovereign = a gold sovereign coin, equivalent to £1 (one pound)
[Editor: The word “Chorus” (which is used several times in this song) has been put into italics (Chorus) so as to distinguish it from the text of the song.]
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