Chorus:
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 many’s a year
And I’ve spent all me money on whiskey and beer,
And now I’m returning with gold in great store,
And I never will play the wild rover no more

Chorus

I went into an alehouse I used to frequent
And I told the landlady me money was spent
I asked her for credit. She answered me, ‘Nay
Such a custom like yours I could have any day’

Chorus

Then out of my pockets I took sovereigns bright
And the landlady’s eyes opened wide with delight
She says ‘I have whiskeys and wines of the best
And the words that I said were only in jest’

Chorus

I go home to my parents, confess what I’ve done
And I ask them to pardon their prodigal son
And if they caress me as oft times before
I never will play the wild rover no more

Chorus (three times)