Spencer The Rover

This tune was composed by Spencer the Rover

Who travelled round England and most parts of Wales

He had been much reduced which caused great confusion

And that was the reason he started to roam

In Yorkshire near Rotherham he being on his ramble

And weary of travelling, he sat down to rest

By the foot of yon mountain there runs a clear fountain

With bread and cold water himself did refresh

And it tasted much sweeter than the gold he had wasted

Sweeter than honey and it gave more content

But the thoughts of his children lamenting their father

Brought tears to his eyes and it made him lament

With the night fast approaching to the woods he resorted

With woodbine and ivy his bed for to make

There he thought about sighing, lamenting and crying

Go home to your family and rambling forsake

On the fifth day of November, I’ve a reason to remember

When first he arrived home to his family and wife

They stood so surprised when first he arrived

And welcomed this stranger once more in their sight

And his children gathered round him with prittle-prattling stories

Prittle-prattling stories to drive cares away

Well now they’re united like birds of one feather

Like bees in one hive contented they’ll stay

So now they are living in the cottage contented

With woodbine and ivy growing all round the door

As happy as those that’s got thousands of riches

Contented they’ll stay and not ramble no more