The Rover- William Lassiter 1879
THE ROVER
1. I am a rover; that's my name
I'm going to leave my native lane
I'm going to leave my darling behind,
Who often told me her heart was mine.
2. As she sat folded in my arms
I thought she had ten thousand charms,
With her compliments and kisses sweet;
We promised to get married when next would meet.
3. As I went sailing on tho sea
I sought this opportunity
Of writing to my darling dear,
And not one word from her could I hear.
4. I rode and I rode to her father's hall,
And there aloud for my true love called.
Her father S,ave to this reply,
My daughter's married to r gl6red spy."
5. I asked again what could this mean?
He answered me all in her name,
"My daughter has married to a richer class,
And you may seek you another lass."
6. Curse be to the gold, and the silver too,
Curse be to the girl that won't prove true;
And will her own true promise break,
And marry another for riches sake.
7. Now I have lost my golden crown,
I'll sail the ocean round and round:
I'll sail till the day I die,
And sprlt;h; o where the bullets fly:
8 "Oh no dear Willy stay at home,
6'h ;;;'a go on tng raging lot;
Nor apllt-ir'e wind where the bullets fly
There's many a prettier girl than I."
This song, was written down by W.H.C. Lassiter, father of Mrs. McDowell; and oateO llty zy ' 1879. The music is written from the singing Mrs. McDowell. She heard it sung, by her father a number of times.