Wild Rover
The Jolly Beggarmen Lyrics
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and I've spent all my money on whisky 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
I went into an ale-house I used to frequent
and I told the landlady my money was spent
I asked her for credit she answered me nay
such a custom like yours I can have any day
I took from my pocket ten sovereigns bright
and the landlady's eyes opened wide with delight
she said I'd have whisky and wines of the best
and the words that she told me were only in jest.
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
The lyrics to The Jolly Beggarmen's rendition of Wild Rover tell the story of a man who has lived a wild and reckless life, spending all his money on whisky and ale. Eventually, he seems to have hit rock bottom and returns home with "gold in great store," suggesting that he has turned his life around and achieved financial success. He declares that he will never play the wild rover again, a reference to his days of living recklessly and spending all his money on alcohol.
The next stanza tells of the man's attempt to return to his old ways. He goes to an ale-house, asking for credit from the landlady. However, she refuses, saying that she can have anyone else who will pay. The man then reveals ten gold coins, and the landlady is pleased with the prospect of making a sale. However, the man claims that her words were "only in jest," suggesting that he does not actually purchase the alcohol.
The final stanza reveals that the man plans to return home and seek forgiveness from his parents, acknowledging his past mistakes. He promises that he will never play the wild rover again. The lyrics suggest a journey of redemption and self-improvement, giving the song a hopeful and inspiring message.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been a wild rover for many's a year
I have been a wanderer with no fixed destination for many years.
and I've spent all my money on whisky and beer.
I have spent all my wealth on drinking.
but now I'm returning with gold in great store
But now, I am coming back with a lot of wealth.
and I never will play the wild rover no more
I have decided to give up my wandering ways and settle down.
and it's no nay never
And it's a definite no.
no nay never no more
Never again.
will I play the wild rover
Will I live a life of a wanderer.
no never no more
No, never again.
I went into an ale-house I used to frequent
I went to a pub I used to visit often.
and I told the landlady my money was spent
I confessed to the landlady that I had no money left.
I asked her for credit she answered me nay
I requested her for credit, but she refused.
such a custom like yours I can have any day
She further told me that my behavior was not uncommon and she could have easily found many other customers like me.
I took from my pocket ten sovereigns bright
I pulled out ten golden coins from my pocket.
and the landlady's eyes opened wide with delight
The landlady was overjoyed when she saw the coins.
she said I'd have whisky and wines of the best
She promised me the best quality of drinks.
and the words that she told me were only in jest.
However, what she said was just a joke, and she didn't really mean it.
I'll go home to my parents confess what I've done,
I have decided to go back to my parents and confess my mistakes.
and I'll ask them to pardon their prodigal son
I will ask them to forgive me for my reckless ways.
and when they've caressed me as oft times before
And I know that they will comfort me as they have done many times before.
then I never will play the wild rover no more
And that's when I know that I will never choose a wild and reckless life again.
Contributed by Samuel S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.