Johnny my man come throw yer leg over me Why do you lie with your face tae the wall It's many's the time ye've played the wild rover Tonight you won't play the wild rover at all He took out his bow tae scrape on me fiddle I cried out me love let the nightingale sing The tune that he played was cut short in the middle His bow wasnae able tae reach me top string I bought him a flask of the finest malt whiskey Tae see if it would raise his courage once more He drank it straight down and so softly he kissed me Then he rolled over tae sleep and tae snore
I fed him on bu*termilk, oysters and garlic I did everything that a woman could do Alas and alack his condition was chronic The harder I pumped him the softer he grew After he's sleepin' I run from the chamber I put on my clothes as fast as I can While he's in his bed and nothing the wiser I roll in the arms of some other young man And I says me young fella come throw yer leg over me Where is the shame in being fond of young men It's many's the time I've played the wild rover Tonight I will play the wild rover again