AS I ROVED OUT
(learned from Pete Seeger album)
As I roved out, one May morn, one May morning early,
As I roved out, one May morn, one May morning early,
I met a maid upon the way, she was her mama's darling,
With me rerum ra, fol-de-diddle da,
Starvee omblay dee di dee oh!
Her shoes were black and her stockings white, and her voice it rang like silver
Her shoes were black and her stockings white, and her voice it rang like silver
She had two nice bright sparkling eyes, her hair hung down her shoulder,
With me rerum ra, (etc.)
How old are you, my pretty little miss, how old are you, my honey?
She answered me right modestly, I'm sixteen years come Monday
With me rerum ra, (etc.)
Where do you live, my pretty fair miss, where do you live, my honey?
Over the top of the next boreen, I live there with my mummy
With me rerum ra, (etc.)
And will ye come to my mummy's house, when the moon shines bright and clarely?
Open the door, and let me in, your dada will not hear me
With me rerum ra, (etc.)
She took me by her lily white hand, and led me to the table,
There's food and drink for a soldier here, as much as he is able,
With me rerum ra, (etc.)
She went upstairs to make the bed, and made it soft and aisy,
And I went up to tuck her in, saying, Lassie, are ye comfy here?
With me rerum ra, (etc.)
And when will you return again, and when will we be married?
When silver bells turn cockle shells, it's then that we'll be married,
With me rerum ra, (etc.)
(from miriam berg's folksong collection)