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I'm a Rover

from Tiger Tattoo by Andrew Calhoun

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traditional Scots night-visiting ballad learned from the singing of Ewan MacColl and Lizzie Higgins

lyrics

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."

credits

from Tiger Tattoo, released February 12, 2003
AC, guitar & vocals.

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Andrew Calhoun Chicago, Illinois

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