Wild Rover
Folkaholics Lyrics


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I've been a wild rover for many's the 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 alehouse I used to frequent
And I told the landlady my money was spent
I asked her for credit, she answered me nay,
Such custom as 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 took from my pocket ten euros bright
And the landlady's eyes opened wide with delight
She says I'd have whiskies and wines of the best
And the words that she told me 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, confess what I've done
And I'll ask them to pardon their prodigal son
And when they've caressed me as oft times before
Then 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





(C) Folkaholics (traditional)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Folkaholics' rendition of "Wild Rover" speak of someone who has been living a wild and reckless life, spending all their money on whiskey and beer. However, they have now returned with gold in great store and have decided to turn their life around. The verses are structured such that the individual goes into an alehouse they used to frequent and asked the landlady for credit. The landlady refused, and the singer responded by taking out ten euros from their pocket to buy their drinks. The landlady jokingly stated that they could have whiskies and wines of the best, but the singer had already made up their mind to turn away from their old habits.


The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "And it's no, nay, never, No nay never no more, Will I play the wild rover, No never, no more,"' indicating that the character has made a firm decision to change their ways and will never go back to their old life of reckless drinking and wasting their money.


Overall, the song is a great representation of how one can make the decision to turn their life around and leave old habits behind. It speaks of a sense of redemption and the desire for a better life.


Line by Line Meaning

I've been a wild rover for many's the year
I have lived as a carefree wanderer for many years


And I've spent all my money on whiskey and beer
I've squandered all my wealth on drinks


But now I'm returning with gold in great store
I'm coming back with valuable riches


And I never will play the wild rover no more
I've decided to give up my reckless ways


And it's no, nay, never
I will never again


No nay never no more
Never again will I behave in that manner


Will I play the wild rover
I'll no longer lead a wayward lifestyle


I went into an alehouse I used to frequent
I visited a pub I often used to go to


And I told the landlady my money was spent
I informed the pub owner that I've run out of money


I asked her for credit, she answered me nay,
I requested to borrow money, but she refused


Such custom as yours I can have any day
She told me she doesn't need my patronage


I took from my pocket ten euros bright
I had ten euros in my pocket


And the landlady's eyes opened wide with delight
The pub owner was happy to see I had money


She says I'd have whiskies and wines of the best
She offered me the finest drinks in the pub


And the words that she told me were only in jest
She was joking and didn't really mean it


I'll go home to my parents, confess what I've done
I'm going back to my family and confessing my past actions


And I'll ask them to pardon their prodigal son
I'll ask for their forgiveness for being a wayward child


And when they've caressed me as oft times before
After they console me as they've done before


Then I never will play the wild rover no more
I'll never go back to my reckless lifestyle




Writer(s): Dp

Contributed by Caroline T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Bregje p

waaaa meneer barniieer :P:P

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