Rover

Rover, author and year uncertain

Tune
No known prior usage

Song
Chorus:

I am a rover, rollin’ along (rollin’ along)

Rover, singin’ a song

I am a rover, ‘til the day I die.

Lyrics:

See the clouds rollin’ away

See the stars shinin’ so gay

Hear the wind in the tall pine trees

And you’ll know exactly why I’m free.

[CHORUS]

I have few friends, but they are true

Mountains, fields, and streams of blue

But I’m just a wanderer never standing still

I must go onward to the hills.

[CHORUS]

Through this world, I am bound to roam

Without a bed, a fire, or a home

But I’ve found a friend a friend that is true

And that my comrade that is you.

[CHORUS]

(Slowly) Wandering through this lonely world my friend

(Slowly) I may never see you again

(Return to normal tempo) But I hope that you will always think of me

No matter where you happen to be.

[CHORUS]

Alternative/Former Lyrics
Originally "this lonely world of men", modern teachings of this song have changed to the above for inclusivity.

Leads on further information
Appears in "Our Chalet Song Book" 1974, though the book excludes the final verse.

Reported from Camp Metalka, a Camp Fire Girls camp, in 1976

Unverified sources (guest accounts on mudcat.org) claim the author as Sue Dodge, written at Meadow Mountain Ranch in Allenspark, Colorado 1961

Links to Outside Sources
https://mycketmerascout.bandcamp.com/track/i-am-a-rover (Version of song by Swedish artists, 2001 - similar to the Sweyolakan variation)