I am a roving journeyman and I rove from town to town
Wherever I get a job of work I'm willing to set down
With my kit upon my shoulder and my stick then in my hand
It's down the country I will go, a roving journeyman

But when I came to Carlow the girls all jumped for joy
Saying one unto the other, "Here comes a roving boy;"
One treates me to a bottle, another to a dram
And the toast goes round the table, "Here's a health to the journeyman."

I had not been to Carlow three days, but only three
When a skinner's lovely daughter she fell in love with me;
She wanted me to marry her, and took me by the hand
And she slyly told her mother that she loved her journeyman

"Oh! hold your tongue, you silly girl, why do you dare say so
How can you love a journeyman you never saw before?"
"Oh! hold your tongue, dear mother, and do the best you can
For it's down the country I will go with my roving journeyman."
Then I took my stick into my hand, I took my kit also
And away from friend and parents a-roving I did go
There's not a town I go through but I get a new sweetheart
So girls, if you believe me, I'm sorry from you to part

So now my loving sweetheart to you I bid adieu
But if ever I return again I'll surely marry you
Now let them all be talking and saw the worst they can
For it's off to Dublin I will go, a roving journeyman