Spencer the Rover

Collected by Bob Copper in about 1954 from Jim Barrett, at the Fox in North Waltham, Hants: see Chapter Fifteen, pp. 123-134, of Songs and Southern Breezes for the details; and the appendix for these words.

This song was composed by Spencer the Rover,
Who'd travelled most parts of Great Britain and Wales,
There had been much reducing which caused great confusion,
And that was the reason a-rambling I went.

In Yorkshire near Rotherham still being on my rambles,
Being weary of travelling I sat down to rest,
At the foot of the mountain there sprung a clear fountain
Of pleasant cool water myself to refresh.

It tasted more sweeter than the food I had wasted,
More sweeter than honey and gave more content,
But the thoughts of my children lamenting for their father
Brought tears to my eyes and caused me to repent.

Now the night fast approaching, to the woods I departed,
With woodbine and ivy my bed for to make,
I heard a bird sighing, lamenting and crying,
Come home to your family and rambling forsake.

On the fifth of November I've a reason to remember
'Twas then I first returned to my family and wife,
They looked so surprising to see me arriving,
To see such a stranger once more in their sight.

Then me children came round me with their pretty, prattling stories,
With their pretty, prattling stories which drove dull care away,
So we will unite together like birds of a feather,
Like bees in one hive so contented we'll stay.

So now I am placed in my cottage contented
With woodbine and roses climbing all round the door,
I am happy as those that's got plenty of riches,
Contented I'll stay and go rambling no more.

See also the Copper Family's own version.