The album was re-released on Smithsonian Folkways on CD in 1990 with additional tracks from the 1970s.
A-Roving On A Winter's Night
The Doc Watson Family Lyrics
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And a-drinkin' good old wine,
Thinkin' about that pretty little girl,
That broke this heart of mine.
She is just like a bud of rose,
That blooms in the month of June.
Or like some musical instrument,
That's just been lately tuned.
Perhaps it's a trip to some foreign land,
A trip to France or Spain,
But if I should go ten thousand miles,
I'm a-comin' home again.
And it's who's a-gonna shoe your poor little feet,
Who's a-gonna glove your little hands?
Who's a-gonna kiss your sweet little lips,
Honey, who's a-gonna be your man?
I love you till the sea runs dry,
And the rocks all melt in the sun.
I love you till the day I die,
Though you will never be my own.
A-rovin' on a winter's night
And a-drinkin' good old wine,
Thinkin' about that pretty little girl,
That broke this heart of mine.
The Doc Watson Family's song A-Roving On A Winter's Night is a whimsical tune that speaks of a heartbreak caused by a pretty girl. The lyrics describe the singer reminiscing thoughts of this girl while on a winter's night, drinking wine. The girl is compared to a rosebud that blooms in June, representing her beauty and youthfulness. She is also compared to a musical instrument that has been recently tuned, meaning, she is perfect in every way.
The singer then talks about going on a trip to a foreign land, possibly to forget about the girl who broke his heart. Still, he always plans on coming back home, suggesting that despite everything, his heart still longs for his home and the memories he had with the pretty girl. The song then shifts to a verse, questioning the girl on who will be her man and who will take care of her once the singer leaves. Despite the heartbreak, the singer still loves the girl deeply, even if it means that she will never be his own.
Overall, the song conveys a bittersweet tone with its melancholic lyrics set against a lively and upbeat melody. It captures the complicated feelings of heartbreak, longing, and love that often stay with people long after the relationship has ended.
Line by Line Meaning
A-rovin' on a winter's night
Walking aimlessly on a cold night
And a-drinkin' good old wine,
Drinking wine to cope with heartbreak
Thinkin' about that pretty little girl,
Remembering the girl who caused the heartbreak
That broke this heart of mine.
The girl has caused a deep emotional wound
She is just like a bud of rose,
The girl is as beautiful as a rose bud
That blooms in the month of June.
Her beauty is like the sight of blooming roses in June
Or like some musical instrument,
Her beauty is like a well-tuned musical instrument
That's just been lately tuned.
Her beauty is especially pure and clear, like a newly tuned instrument
Perhaps it's a trip to some foreign land,
The artist may travel to faraway places
A trip to France or Spain,
Specifically, the artist may journey to France or Spain
But if I should go ten thousand miles,
Regardless of distance traveled
I'm a-comin' home again.
The artist ultimately plans to return home
And it's who's a-gonna shoe your poor little feet,
The singer questions who will care for the girl
Who's a-gonna glove your little hands?
Who will provide for her basic needs?
Who's a-gonna kiss your sweet little lips,
Who will love her?
Honey, who's a-gonna be your man?
The artist wonders who will take care of her romantically
I love you till the sea runs dry,
The artist loves the girl without limits
And the rocks all melt in the sun.
The singer's love is steadfast and unchanging
I love you till the day I die,
The singer will love the girl forever
Though you will never be my own.
Despite their love, they will never be together
A-rovin' on a winter's night
Reflecting on the past as they wander in the cold
And a-drinkin' good old wine,
Seeking comfort in alcohol
Thinkin' about that pretty little girl,
Contemplating the one who caused heartbreak
That broke this heart of mine.
The girl left a permanent impact on the artist's heart
Contributed by Miles Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.