A Roving

Words and Music by :  Thomas Heywood

Recorded by Harry Belafonte
Recording date: April 3, 1952
Master number: E2VB 5958C
Playing time: 3:21
Producer: Hy Grill
Hugo Winterhalter: leader; Al Caiola: guitar; Millard Thomas: guitar; R. Haggart: bass; T. Snyder: drums; N. Perrito: accordeon; J. Guarnieri: piano; Maurice Brown: cello; Lucien Schmit: cello; H. Kay: viola; Izidor Zir: viola; F. Buldrini: violin; M. Golodner: violin; Maurice Herschaft: violin; Harry Melnikoff: violin; F. Orlewitz: violin; Sylvan Schulman: violin; Zelly Smirnoff: violin, Jack Zayde: violin; Unidentified vocal chorus.
78 : 20-4676, 20-6784
45 : 47-4676, 47-6784, DJ-83
LP : DLP1147
CD: 07863-67403-2, BCD16262, GSS-5381


Also recorded by:
Brothers Four CS8378, CCM040-2,
Erich Kunzel Cincinnati Pops Orchestra Telarc CD-80292    
Milton Okun RLP12-603  
Norman Luboff Choir CL948, COL-6060
The Seekers 8146392

Lyrics:

A roving, a roving since roving's been my ruin 
I'll go no more a roving from you fair maid

In Amsterdam there lives a maid
mark well what I do say
In Amsterdam there lives a maid
and she was mistress of her trade
I'll go no more a roving from you fair maid
A roving a roving since roving's been my ruin
I'll go no more a roving from you fair maid

Her eyes are like two stars so bright
mark well what I do say
Her eyes are like two stars so bright
her face is soft her step is light
I'll go no more a roving from you fair maid
A roving a roving since roving's been my ruin
I'll go no more a roving from you fair maid

Her cheeks are like the rosebud's red,
mark well what I do say
Her cheeks are like the rosebud's red
there's a wealth of hair upon her head
I go no more a roving from you fair maid
A roving a roving since roving's been my ruin
I'll go no more a roving from you fair maid

Lyrics for the version sung by The Seekers:

In Plymouth Town there lived a maid;
Bless you, young women!
In Plymouth Town there lived a maid;
Mind what I did say.
In Plymouth Town there lived a maid,
And she was mistress of her trade;
I'll go no more a-rovin' with you, fair maid.
A-rovin', a-rovin', since rovin's been my ru-i-in,
I'll go no more a-rovin' with you, fair maid.

I took this fair maid for a walk;
Bless you, young women!
And we had such a loving talk;
Mind what I did say.
I took this fair maid for a walk,
And we had such a loving talk;
I'll go no more a-rovin' with you, fair maid.

A-rovin', a-rovin', since rovin's been my ru-i-in,
I'll go no more a-rovin' with you, fair maid.

Her eyes are like two stars so bright;
Bless you, young women!
Her face is fair, her step is light;
Mind what I did say.
Her eyes are like two stars so bright;
Her face is fair, her step is light;
I'll go no more a-rovin' with you, fair maid.

A-rovin', a-rovin', since rovin's been my ru-i-in,
I'll go no more a-rovin' with you, fair maid.

I put my arm around her waist;
Bless you, young women!
She said, "Young man, you're in great haste."
Mind what I did say.
I put my arm around her waist;
She said, "Young man, you're in great haste."
I'll go no more a-rovin' with you, fair maid.

A-rovin', a-rovin', since rovin's been my ru-i-in,
I'll go no more a-rovin' with you, fair maid.