I'm A Rover
Traditional song from Scotland , arr. Calhoun, recorded on Tiger Tattoo.
I'm a rover, and seldom sober,
I'm a rover of high degree;
It's when I'm drinking, I'm always thinking
How to gain my love's company.
Though the night be dark as a dungeon,
Not a star to be seen above;
I will be guided, without a stumble
Into the arms of my own true love.
He stepped up to her bedroom window,
Kneeling gently upon a stone;
He whispered through her bedroom window,
"My darlin' dear, do you lie alone?"
She raised her head on her snow-white pillow,
With her arms about her breast;
Says, "Who is that at my bedroom window,
Disturbing me at my long night's rest?"
Says I, "True love, it's thy true lover,
Open the door and let me in;
For I am come on a long journey,
More than near drenched to the skin."
She opened the door with the greatest pleasure,
Opened the door and she let him in;
They both shook hands and embraced each other,
And wished that morning would never come.
The cocks were crowing, the birds a-whistling,
The streams they ran free about the brae; (brae—a hillside)
"Remember lass, I'm a ploughman laddie,
And the farmer, I must obey.
"And so my love, I must go and leave thee,
To climb the hills, they are high above;
But I will climb them with the greatest pleasure,
Since I've been in the arms of my love."