I've been a wild rover for many's the year
And I spend all my 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

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 my landlady my money was spent
I asked her for credit she answered me nay
Such a custom as yours I could have any day

And it's no, nay, never

I took from my 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 tolt me were only in jest

And it's no, nay, never

I went home to my parents confest what I'd done
And I asked them to pardon their prodigal son
And when they'd caressed me as oft times before
I never will play the wild rover no more

And it's no, nay, never


Lyrics submitted by oofus

The Wild Rover Lyrics as written by Traditional

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Spirit Music Group

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The Wild Rover song meanings
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13 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment
    This song is great... heh No nay, never
    myownprison333on July 07, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    really a great song!! But it remembers me to a german carneval-song...what was first???
    Rayvenon August 21, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    this is a cover of a traditional Irish song. does anyone know exactly what wild rover means?
    Spider6333on March 06, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    Aye. The 'wild rover' is the drunk who crawls from pub to pub trying to get another pint when his moneys run dry. The songs about a Rover who comes to his senses, gets his act straight and walks the straight and narrow. -Priest
    ThePrieston March 13, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    Yeah, that makes sense, this song seems so jolly. I heard they made a video for it but I haven't had a chance to see it yet.
    Madcappunkon April 15, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    BEST DRINKING SONG EVER
    2Close2Seeon June 14, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    this is one of my least favorite traditional songs.
    goodbaron June 20, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    yes, both a german and a flemish carnaval song were based on it, but the irish got it first
    timstierson January 29, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    This song is freakin' awesome on the Live on St.Patrick's Day album. It's like all their songs are great live.
    your ex-loveron August 01, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    I particularly liked this song when they got Shane MacGowan(the Pogues) to guest on it.
    JuncoPartneron May 17, 2006   Link

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