Wild Rover

notes:
historical: This is basically an Irish nursery rhyme. I don't want to say EVERY Irish person knows and half-hates this song, but every Irish person knows and half-hates this song. Really. They do. This has to be one of the most oft-parodied Irish folk songs. Here's a pretty funny parody, called Wild Rover No More. There's another one, also amusing, called Hell's Angel No More.
CDs/MP3s: I'm sure you can find a million recorded versions of this song. The Prodigals are doing a service to themselves and mankind by not adding to that store (though their version is much better than anyone else's).
special Prodigals info: Although it's likely that they're sick to death of this song, they won't admit it. They play it each week like they love it. It's admirable. Oh, and during the hand-claps part, they say, "Rise up your skirt!" They just do. It fits. They don't expect you to. But I guess they'd be happy if you did.

Wild Rover

I've been a wild rover for many a year
And I've spent all me money on whiskey and beer
But now I'm returning with gold in good store
And I never will be a wild rover no more

I say, no, nay, never (rise up your skirt!)
No nay never no more
Will I be a wild rover
No never, no more.

I went to an ale house I used to frequent
And I told the land-lady my money was spent
When I asked her for credit she answered me 'nay,
such a custom as yours I could have any day.'

chorus

I pulled from my pocket ten soveriegns bright
And the land-lady's eyes opened wide with delight
She said, 'I have whiskeys and wines of the best,
And the words that I spoke ye were surely in jest.'*

chorus

I'll go to my parents, confess what I've done
And I'll ask them to pardon their prodigal son
And if they caress me as oft-times before
Sure I never will be a wild rover no more.

chorus