Now I can tell you just exactly where I learned this tune It was at Roseden and at the harvest supper Uncle Dodie played the fiddle there And Billy played the box And they laughed and drank and sang like there's no war on I have shepherded these hills, I've been a rabbit-catcher And I've changed every road sign from Alnwick down to Craster And I've always loved to play and to watch the people dance Why, in my youth I've cycled thirty miles to get the chance Now my father was in Flanders fighting with the Fusiliers Me and mum were at the cottage till the telegram appeared Then they gave us one week's notice There was little time for tears Uncle Dodie, no he took us in at Roseden I have shepherded these hills, I've been a rabbit-catcher And I've changed every road sign from Alnwick down to Craster And I've always loved to play and to watch the people dance
Why, in my youth I've cycled thirty miles to get the chance Now I can tell you just exactly where I learned this tune It was at Roseden and at the harvest supper I was just a boy of eight then and I hadn't learned to play But I whistled it for Aunty and we danced it the next day All around the kitchen table there we danced the cares away All around the kitchen table there at Roseden I have shepherded these hills I've been a rabbit catcher I've changed every road sign from Alnwick down to Craster And I always loved to play and to watch the people dance Why, in my youth I've cycled 30 miles to get the chance And I'd watch them as they'd rant and I'd watch them as they'd twirl Never once I thought these tunes Would take me half way round the world.