[Verse]
I must away now, I cannot tarry,
This morning's tempest I have to cross,
I must be guided without a stumble,
Into the arms that I love the most.

[Chorus]
For 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.

[Verse]
And when he came to his true love's dwelling,
He knelt down gently upon a stone,
And through the window he whispered slowly,
"Is my true lover within at home?"

[Chorus]
For 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.

[Verse]
Wake up, wake up, love, tis your own true lover,
Wake up, wake up, love and let me in,
For I am wet, love, and I am weary,
For I am wet, love, unto my skin.

She raised her up with the greatest of pleasure,
She raised her up and she let him in,
And they were locked in each other's arms, dear,
Till the long night was passed and gone.

[Chorus]
For 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.

[Verse]
And when the long night was passed and gone,
And when the small clouds began to go,
He's taken her hand, aye, they kissed and parted,
He saddled and mounted and away did go.

[Chorus]
For 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.