Though the night be dark as a dungeon
not a star to be seen above
I will be guided without a stumble
into the arms of my only love

I went up to her bedroom window
kneeling gently upon a stone
I whispered through her bedroom window
“Darling dear, do you lie alone?”

I'm a rover, seldom sober
I'm a rover of high degree
It’s when I'm drinking, I'm always thinking
how to gain my love's company

She raised her head from her feather pillow
Raised her arms up around her chest
Saying who's at my bedroom window
disturbing me from my long night's rest?

It's only me your own true lover
open the door and let me in
For I have come on a long night's journey
and am near drenched to the skin

I'm a rover, seldom sober
I'm a rover of high degree
It’s when I'm drinking, I'm always thinking
how to gain my love's company

She opened the door with the greatest pleasure
She opened the door and she let me in
We both held hands then embraced each other
'til the morning we lay as one

I'm a rover, seldom sober
I'm a rover of high degree
It’s when I'm drinking, I'm always thinking
how to gain my love's company

Well now my love I must go and leave you
though the mountains be high above
Well I will climb them with greater pleasure
having been with my only love

I'm a rover, seldom sober
I'm a rover of high degree
It’s when I'm drinking, I'm always thinking
how to gain my love's company

Oh I'm a rover, seldom sober
I'm a rover of high degree
It’s when I'm drinking, I'm always thinking
how to gain my love's company