The Rovin’ Journeyman

Trad

Oh I am a rovin’ Journeyman
I roam from town to town
And whenever I get a job of work
I’m willing to sit doon
My kit’s all on my shoulder
And my graftin’ tool in hand
And around the country I will go
A rovin’ journeyman
Whenever I come tae Glasgow toon
The lassies jump for joy
Says one unto the other
“Well here comes a rovin’ boy”
Some treat me to a bottle
And the others to a dram
And the toast goes round the table
“Health unto the journeyman”

Wi’ yer linten addie toorin addie inten addie
Tooral linten addie tooral linten addie aye
Pots and pans and helping hands will see you thru’ the day
Linten addie tooral ooral ooral addie aye
Gie a penny tae the journeyman tae help him on his way

I hadnae been in Glasgow toon
A week but barely three
Before the provost’s daughter
Went and fell in love wi’ me
She asked me for tae dine wi’ her
And took me by the hand
And she proudly told her mother
That she loved the journeyman
Ach away ye go ye silly maid
I’ll hear ye speak no more
How can ye love a journeyman
Ye’ve never seen before?
Mother sweet I do entreat
I love him all I can
And around the country I will go
Tae see my journeyman

Ye’ll need nae mair tae trudge on foot
Ye’ll hae a horse and pair
My wealth with thee and poverty
Contented I will share
So overflow the flowing bowl
And drain it if ye can
Toast the provost’s daughter
And the rovin’ journeyman
I am a rovin’ journeyman
I roam from town to town
And whenever I get a job of work
I’m willing to sit down
My kits all on my shoulder
And my graftin’ tool in hand
And around the country I will go
A rovin’ journeyman