Spencer the Rover
The first version here is the one to be found in The Copper Family Song Book. The second is one collected by Bob Copper in the 1950s and published in Songs and Southern Breezes.
Spencer the Rover is sung by Bob, John and Jill Copper and Jon Dudley on the Coppersongs3 CD; words and music are in both The Copper Family Song Book, and Bob Copper's book, A Song for Every Season.
These words were composed by Spencer the Rover
who had travelled Great Britain and most parts of Wales
he had been so reduced which caused great confusion
and that was the reason he went on the roam

In Yorkshire near Rotherham he had been on his rambles
being weary of travelling he sat down to rest
at the foot of yonder mountain there runs a clear fountain
with bread and cold water he himself did refresh

It tasted more sweeter than the gold he had wasted
more sweeter than honey and gave more content
but the thoughts of his babies lamenting their father
brought tears to his eyes and caused him to lament

the night fast approaching to the woods he resorted
with woodbine and ivy his bed for to make
there he dreamt about sighing lamenting and crying
to home to your family and rambling forsake

on the fifth of November I've a reason to remember
when first he arrived home to his family and wife
they stood so surprised when first he arrived
to see such a stranger once more in their sight

his children came around him with their prittle-prattling stories
with their prittle-prattling stories to drive care away
now they are united like birds of one feather
like bees in one hive contented they'll stay

so now he is a-living in his cottage contented
with woodbine and roses growing all around the door
he's as happy as those that's got thousands of riches
contented he'll stay and go rambling no more

Version collected by Bob Copper in about 1954 from Jim Barrett, at the Fox in North Waltham, Hants: see Chapter Fifteen, pp. 123-134, of Songs and Southern Breezes for the details; and the appendix for these words.

This song was composed by Spencer the Rover,
Who'd travelled most parts of Great Britain and Wales,
There had been much reducing which caused great confusion,
And that was the reason a-rambling I went.

In Yorkshire near Rotherham still being on my rambles,
Being weary of travelling I sat down to rest,
At the foot of the mountain there sprung a clear fountain
Of pleasant cool water myself to refresh.

It tasted more sweeter than the food I had wasted,
More sweeter than honey and gave more content,
But the thoughts of my children lamenting for their father
Brought tears to my eyes and caused me to repent.

Now the night fast approaching, to the woods I departed,
With woodbine and ivy my bed for to make,
I heard a bird sighing, lamenting and crying,
Come home to your family and rambling forsake.

On the fifth of November I've a reason to remember
'Twas then I first returned to my family and wife,
They looked so surprising to see me arriving,
To see such a stranger once more in their sight.

Then me children came round me with their pretty, prattling stories,
With their pretty, prattling stories which drove dull care away,
So we will unite together like birds of a feather,
Like bees in one hive so contented we'll stay.

So now I am placed in my cottage contented
With woodbine and roses climbing all round the door,
I am happy as those that's got plenty of riches,
Contented I'll stay and go rambling no more.

New: 5 November 1998 | Now: 17 March 2002 | Garry Gillard | index