A-Roving

In Amsterdam there lived a maid
Mark well what I do say
In Amsterdam there lived a maid
And she was mistress of her trade
I’ll go no more a-ro-o-ving with you fair maid
A roving, a roving,
Since roving’s been my ru-i-in
I’ll go no more a-ro-o-ving with you fair maid
I took that fair maid for a walk
Mark well what I do say
I took that fair maid for a walk
And we had such a loving talk
I’ll go no more a-ro-o-ving with you fair maid
I put my arm around her waist
Mark well what I do say
I put my arm around her waist
She said, «Young man, you’re in great haste!»
I’ll go no more a-ro-o-ving with you fair maid
I took that maid upon my knee
Mark well what I do say
I took that maid upon my knee
She said, «Young man, you’re rather free!»
I’ll go no more a-ro-o-ving with you fair maid
Written as a poem by Lord Byron in 1817 after he tired of the bad boy life.
It was turned into a Sea Shanty. It was a pump song and later a capstan song.