Spencer The Rover - John Martyn

This tune was composed by Spencer the Rover

As valiant a man as ever left home

And he had been much reduced

Which caused great confusion

And that was the reason he started to roam

In Yorkshire near Rotherham, he had been on the ramble

Weary of traveling, he sat down to rest

By the foot of yon' mountain

Lays a clear flowing fountain

With bread and cold water he himself did refresh

With the night fast approaching, to the woods he resorted

With woodbine and ivy his bed for to make

But he dreamt about sighing

Lamenting and crying

Go home to your family and rambling forsake

'Twas the fifth day of November, I’ve reason to remember

When first he arrived home to his family and friends

And they did stand so astounded

Surprised and dumbfounded

To see such a stranger once more in their sight

And his children come around him with their prittle prattling stories

With their prittle prattling stories to drive care away

And he’s as happy as those

As have thousands of riches

Contented he’ll remain and not ramble away

This tune was composed by Spencer the Rover

As valiant a man as ever left home

And he had been much reduced

And caused great confusion

And that was the reason he started to roam