I've been a wild rover for many a year
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 in to 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 custom as yours 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 my pocket, a hand full of gold
And on the round table it glittered and rolled
Well the landlady smiled as she served me the best
"What I told ya before, sure 'twas 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