Wild Rover
The Halliard Lyrics


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I've been a wild rover for manys the year
And I spent all me money on whiskey and beer,
Well 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 ale-house I used to frequent
And I told the landlady me money was spent.
I asked her for credit, she answers me nay
Such a custom as yours I could 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 put me hand in me pocket pulled out sovereigns bright
And the landlady's eyes opened wide with delight.
She said I've got whiskey and wines of the best
And the words that I told you 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've caressed me as ofttimes 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.

I've been a wild rover for manys the year
And I spent all me money on whiskey and beer,
Well 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.

Overall Meaning

The Halliard's song Wild Rover is a ballad that tells the story of a reckless young man's journey of redemption. The singer begins by confessing that he has been a wild rover for many years, spending all his money on whiskey and beer. However, he returns to his hometown with a newfound wealth and promises never to play the wild rover again. The chorus, "And it's no, nay, never, No nay never no more, Will I play the wild rover, No never no more," is a firm declaration indicating the singer's determination to turn over a new leaf.


In the second stanza, the singer visits an alehouse that he used to frequent and admits to the landlady that he has no money to pay for his drinks. He asks for credit, but the landlady, who knows his character well, refuses. The third stanza takes an unexpected turn as the singer, surprisingly, reveals that he has a wealth of gold coins in his pocket. The landlady's eyes light up as she realizes that she can now sell him whiskey and wine. She forgives him for asking for credit and tells him that her earlier refusal was in jest.


In the final stanza, the singer decides to return to his parents' home and confess his past behavior, asking for their forgiveness. He knows that his parents will forgive him, and he promises never to play the wild rover again. Overall, the song presents a moral lesson about the consequences of reckless living and the power of forgiveness.


Line by Line Meaning

I've been a wild rover for manys the year
I have lived a careless and reckless life for many years.


And I spent all me money on whiskey and beer
I wasted all my money on alcohol.


Well now I'm returning with gold in great store
I am now returning with a lot of money.


And I never will play the wild rover no more
I have learned my lesson and will not repeat my past mistakes.


And it's no, nay, never,
I wholeheartedly refuse.


No nay never no more,
I will not do it again.


Will I play the wild rover
I will not live a reckless life.


I went into an ale-house I used to frequent
I went to a pub I used to often visit.


And I told the landlady me money was spent
I told the tavern owner that I ran out of money.


I asked her for credit, she answers me nay
I asked her for financial support, but she refused.


Such a custom as yours I could have any day
I could easily find someone else to lend me money.


I put me hand in me pocket pulled out sovereigns bright
I reached into my pocket and pulled out gold coins.


And the landlady's eyes opened wide with delight
The tavern owner was pleased to see my wealth.


She said I've got whiskey and wines of the best
The owner offered me the best alcoholic drinks.


And the words that I told you was only in jest
My initial request for credit was a joke.


I'll go back to my parents, confess what I've done
I will return to my parents and admit my past mistakes.


And I'll ask them to pardon their prodigal son
I will ask them for forgiveness.


And when they've caressed me as ofttimes before
After they embrace me as they often have in the past.


Then I never will play the wild rover no more
I will not return to my reckless ways again.




Contributed by Declan I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

70sbibalady

Fantastic...... absolutely love it.

TheCaptainsBeard

Many thanks me hearty. Now drink! for it is Wednesday!!!

Greg Edgings

Awesome, recognise a few faces :)

Iain Day

Feck'n good Fun.! Arrrgh..!!

TheCaptainsBeard

Many thanks Iain. Hopefully we'll see yer scurvy face when we pillage London town.

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