Henrik Norbeck's Song Lyrics

I'm a Rover

Sheet Music (and more information about this song)

There's ne'er a nicht I'm gane tae ramble, there's ne'er a nicht I'm gane tae roam,
There's ne'er a nicht I'm gane tae ramble, intae the airms of me ain true love.

Chorus:
I'm a rover, seldom sober, I'm a rover of high degree,
It's when I'm drinkin', I'm always thinkin' how to gain my love's company.

Though the night be as dark as dungeon, not a star can be seen above,
I will be guided without a stumble, into the arms of my own true love.

Chorus

He stepped up to her bedroom window, kneeling gently upon a stone,
He whispers through her bedroom window: "My darling dear do you lie alone?"

Chorus

She raised her head from her down soft pillow, wi' her arms around her breasts,
Says: "Who is that at my bedroom window disturbing me at my long night's rest?"

Chorus

Says I: "My love, it's your true lover, open the door and let me in,
For I have come on a long night's journey, and I'm near drenched to the skin."

Chorus

She opened the door with the greatest pleasure, she opened the door and she let him in,
They both shook hands and embraced each other, until the morning they lay as one.

Chorus

The cocks were crowin', the birds were whistlin', the burns they ran free abune the brae,
Says I: "My lass, I'm a ploughman laddie, and the farmer I must obey."

Chorus

Says I: "My love I must go and leave you, to climb the hills they are far above,
But I will climb with the greatest pleasure, since I've been in the arms of my love."

Chorus

Discography: The Dubliners

History: The penultimate verse only sung by Luke Kelly in a live version.
The lyrics are originally in Scots, like the first verse here.

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