YOUNG ROVIN' BOY
(WILD ROVERS)
Sung by: Mr. and Mrs. Berry Sutterfield
Recorded in Big Flat, AR 8/20/59

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Come, all you young roving boys,
Pay attention to me,
While I relate
My sadness to you.
I'm a man of experience,
Your favors to gain.

Oh, when you start out, boys,
If you want to be smart,
Don't place your affections
On a smiling sweetheart.
They're dancing before you,
Your favors to gain.
Oh, turn your back upon them, boys,
With a scornful disdain.

For when you are single,
You can go where you please.
You can roam this world over;
You're always at ease.
But when you are married, boys,
You're done with this life.
You're done with sweet comfort,
Sweet comfort of life.

Perhaps you'll be traveling
On a lonesome highway,
And meet some blooming fair maid,
Her cheeks like the roses
And her sparkling blue eyes.
Great heavens, what a doom, boys.
. . .

Fill up the old glasses,
We'll drink all around.
It's luck to be married,
But wish them success.
The same to the old single boys;
I wish them no less.

Also found in Randolph, Vol. IV, #673, "Wild Rovers."

All Songs Recorded by John Quincy Wolf, Jr., unless otherwise noted

The John Quincy Wolf Folklore Collection
Lyon College, Batesville, Arkansas
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