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The Wild Rover Lyrics

The Irish Rovers
Music Video

I've been a wild rover for many the year
And I've spent all me money on whiskey and beer
But now I'm returning with gold in great store
And I swear I 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 that I used to frequent
And I told the landlady me money was spent
I asked her for credit, but she answered me nay
Such a customer as you I can get any day

And it's No, Nay, never, 
No, nay never no more 
Will I play the wild rover,
No never no more

Then I took from me pocket, a handful of gold
And on the round table it glittered and rolled
Well the landlady smiled as she served me the best
What I told you before sure it was 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 back to my parents, confess what I've done
And I'll ask them to pardon their prodigal son
And, when they forgive me as oft times before
Then I swear I 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

And it's No, Nay, never, 
No, nay never no more 
Will I play the wild rover,
No never no more

Song Details

Irish Rovers
The Irish Rovers

🎶 Music & Lyrics: Traditional

📝 Song Brief: Considered by many to be a drinking song, it follows a young man who has spent years wandering, working, and spending his earnings on whiskey and beer. Now he returns home with gold in hand, determined to give up his wild ways and make peace with his family.

When he visits his old alehouse, the landlady refuses him credit — until she sees the gold he has earned. The song blends humour, humility, and redemption, ending with a promise to leave his roving days behind.

🍀 Genre: Irish Folk Song

👥 Covers: Brobdingnagian Bards, Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem, The Corries, Dropkick Murphys, Foster and Allen, The High Kings, The Wolfe Tones, Orthodox Celts, The Pogues, The Dubliners and many more.

🎤 Featured Artists: The Irish Rovers

💿 Album: The Rovers Party Album
Released: 1981
Country: USA & Canada
Format: 12" Vinyl, LP, Compilation
Label: Silver Eagle Records, Inc.

🎸 If you'd like to play this song on guitar, you can view the chord version on our sister site, Bell & Co Music.


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