As I Roved Out lyrics
The High KingsAs I roved out on a May morning
On a May morning right early
I spied me love upon the way
Oh Lord but she was early.
Her shoes were black, her stockings white
And her buckles shone like silver
She had a dark and a rovin' eye
And her earrings touched her shoulder.
And she sang lith-a-do a-lith-a-do a-lith-a-do a-dee
And she hidle-dum-a-dee, hidle-dum-a-dee
And she landed
And she sang lith-a-do a-lith-a-do a-lith-a-do a-dee
And she hidle-dum-a-dee, hidle-dum-a-dee
And she landed... and she landed
How old are you my bonny wee girl
How old are my darlin'
How old are you my bonny wee girl
"I'll be seventeen on Sunday"
Well I went to her house at the top of the hill
And the moon was shining clearly
She arose to let me in
But her mother chanced to hear me.
And she sang lith-a-do a-lith-a-do a-lith-a-do a-dee
And she hidle-dum-a-dee, she hidle-dum-a-dee
And she landed
And she sang lith-a-do a-lith-a-do a-lith-a-do a-dee
And she hidle-dum-a-dee, she hidle-dum-a-dee
And she landed... and she landed
[Instrumental]
Well she grabbed her by the hair of the head
Out of the room she brought her
And with the root of a hazel branch
She was the well-beat daughter.
Will you marry me now me soldier boy?
Will you marry me now or never?
Will you marry me now me soldier boy?
Can't you see I'm done forever?
Well I won't marry you my bonnie wee girl
Well I won't marry you my darlin'
For I have got a wife at home
And how can I disown her
And she sang lith-a-do a-lith-a-do a-lith-a-do a-dee
And she hidle-dum-a-dee, hidle-dum-a-dee
And she landed
And she sang lith-a-do a-lith-a-do a-lith-a-do a-dee
And she hidle-dum-a-dee, hidle-dum-a-dee
And she landed
Well a pint at night is my delight
And a gallon in the morning
The old women they are my heartbreak
But the young ones are me darlin's.
As I roved out on a May morning
On a May morning right early
I spied my love upon the way
My Lord but she was early.
And she sang lith-a-do a-lith-a-do a-lith-a-do a-dee
And she hidle-dum-a-dee, hidle-dum-a-dee
And she landed
And she sang lith-a-do a-lith-a-do a-lith-a-do a-dee
And she hidle-dum-a-dee, hidle-dum-a-dee
And she landed
And she sang lith-a-do a-lith-a-do a-lith-a-do a-dee
And she hidle-dum-a-dee, hidle-dum-a-dee
And she landed... and she landed
As I Roved Out
And who are you, me pretty fair maid, and who are you, me honey?
And who are you, me pretty fair maid, and who are you, me honey?
She answered me quite modestly, "I am me mother's darling"
With me too-ry-ay, fol-de-diddle-day, di-re fol-de-diddle dai-rie oh
And will you come to me mother's house, when the sun is shining clearly
And will you come to me mother's house, when the sun is shining clearly
I'll open the door and I'll let you in, and divil 'o one would hear us
With me too-ry-ay, fol-de-diddle-day, di-re fol-de-diddle dai-rie oh
So I went to her house in the middle of the night, when the moon was shining clearly
So I went to her house in the middle of the night, when the moon was shining clearly
She opened the door and she let me in and divil the one did hear us
With me too-ry-ay, fol-de-diddle-day, di-re fol-de-diddle dai-rie oh
She took me horse by the bridle and the bit, and she led him to the stable
She took me horse by the bridle and the bit, and she led him to the stable
Saying "There's plenty of oats for a soldier's horse, to eat it if he's able"
With me too-ry-ay, fol-de-diddle-day, di-re fol-de-diddle dai-rie oh
Then she took me by the lily-white hand and she led me to the table
Then she took me by the lily-white hand and she led me to the table
Saying "There's plenty of wine for a soldier boy, to drink it if you're able"
With me too-ry-ay, fol-de-diddle-day, di-re fol-de-diddle dai-rie oh
Then I got up and made the bed, and I made it nice and aisy
Then I got up and made the bed, and I made it nice and aisy
Then I got up and laid her down, saying "Lassie, are you able?"
With me too-ry-ay, fol-de-diddle-day, di-re fol-de-diddle dai-rie oh
And there we lay till the break of day and divil a one did hear us
And there we lay till the break of day and divil a one did hear us
Then I arose and put on me clothes saying "Lassie, I must leave you"
With me too-ry-ay, fol-de-diddle-day, di-re fol-de-diddle dai-rie oh
And when will you return again and when will we get married
And when will you return again and when will we get married
When broken shells make Christmas bells we might well get married
With me too-ry-ay, fol-de-diddle-day, di-re fol-de-diddle dai-rie oh
Song Details
from 'As I Roved Out' Blogspot
Music & Lyrics: Traditional Irish Ballad
Brief: The song is basically about a tippling, womanising Irish Rover. Although he has a wife at home, he has a roving eye and loves to dally with the pretty young girls.
Versions: The closest version of the traditional lyrics are by the High Kings. Other versions use a different chorus and altered lyrics.
Category: Romance
Covers: The High Kings (featured), Loreena McKennitt, Planxty, The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem, The Kerry Boys.
Album: As I Roved Out by The High Kings is featured on the album Memory Lane (Feb 12, 2010)
