Spencer the Rover

DESCRIPTION: "These words were composed by Spencer the Rover, who travelled Great Britain and most parts of Wales." After much rambling and assorted adventures, he returns "to his family and wife" and decides to go roving no more
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: before 1856 (broadside, Bodleian Harding B 11(3617))
KEYWORDS: rambling family return
FOUND IN: Britain(England(All))
REFERENCES (8 citations):
Gardham-EarliestVersions, "SPENCER THE ROVER"
Williams-FolkSongsOfTheUpperThames, pp. 130-131, "Spencer the Rover" (1 text) (also Williams-Wiltshire-WSRO Wt 327)
Kidson-TraditionalTunes, pp. 154-156, "Spencer the Rover" (1 text, 1 tune)
Kennedy-FolksongsOfBritainAndIreland 331, "Spencer the Rover" (1 text, 1 tune)
Copper-SongsAndSouthernBreezes, pp. 264-265, "Spencer the Rover" (1 text, 1 tune)
Copper-ASongForEverySeason, pp. 230-231, "Spencer the Rover" (1 text, 1 tune)
Roud/Bishop-NewPenguinBookOfEnglishFolkSongs #86, "Spencer the Rover" (1 text, 1 tune)
DT, SPENCROV*
Roud #1115
BROADSIDES:
Bodleian, Harding B 11(3617), "Spencer the Rover" ("These words were composed by Spencer the rover"), J. Cadman (Manchester), 1850-1855; also Firth c.21(8), Johnson Ballads 1880, Harding B 11(3616), Harding B 25(1824), Firth b.25(257), Johnson Ballads 1842 [some words illegible], Harding B 11(3620), 2806 c.16(36), Firth c.26(209), Harding B 11(3618)
LOCSinging, as102610, "Spencer the Rover" ("These words were composed by Spencer the Rover"), Jackson & Son (Birmingham), no date
File: K331

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