Wild Rover

1. A wayward local or traveler given to spending lavishly on alcohol despite not having resources enough to justify the spending. The "wild rover" is often the "life of the bar." The term is especially used in Irish pubs.

2. A staple bar song played in Irish pubs.

3. Originally, a temperance song meant to illustrate the dangers of excessive drinking.

1.
Mike: "Looks like Jim's playing the wild rover tonight."
Joe: "Yea, he's going to be broke and have a terrible hangover in the morning!"

2.
Last Verse:
I'll go home to my parents, confess what I've done
And I'll ask them to pardon their prodigal son
And, when they've caressed me as oft times before
I never will play the wild rover no more

Chorus:
And it's No, Nay, never,
No, nay never no more
Will I play the wild rover,
No never no more

3. Written no earlier than 1829, the song’s nationality is questionable due to the fast rate at which it spread.

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