As I Roved Out
This is one of a great number of moving traditional ballads in the Irish repertoire. I first learned it from Ian Hill at the Grove Folk Club, Leeds. Apparently the story tells of one particular set of consequences of the system of arranged marriages (something not uncommon in British history) that began to develop in Ireland around the time of the Great Famine, 1845-1852.
Lyrics
As I roved out on a bright May morning
To view the meadows and flowers gay
Whom should I spy but my own true lover
As she sat under yon willow tree
I took off my hat and I did salute her
I did salute her most courageously
But she turned around well the tears fell from her
Saying "False young man, you have deluded me
A diamond ring I owned I gave you
A diamond ring to wear on your right hand
But the vows you made, love, you went and broke them
And married the lassie that had the land"
"If I married the lassie that had the land, my love
It's that I'll rue till the day I die
When misfortune falls sure no man can shun it
I was blindfolded I'll ne'er deny"
Now at nights when I go to my bed of slumber
The thoughts of my true love run in my mind
When I turned around to embrace my darling
Instead of gold sure it's brass I find
And I wish the Queen would call home her army
From the West Indies, Amerikay and Spain
And every man to his wedded woman
In hopes that you and I will meet again
