Spencer The Rover lyrics by John Martyn, 1 meaning. Spencer The Rover explained, official 2024 song lyrics | LyricsMode.com
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John Martyn – Spencer The Rover lyrics
This tune was composed by Spencer the Rover
As valiant a man as ever left home
And he had been much reduced
Which caused great confusion
And that was the reason he started to roam

In Yorkshire near Rotherham, he had been on the ramble
Weary of traveling, he sat down to rest
By the foot of yon' mountain
Lays a clear flowing fountain
With bread and cold water he himself did refresh

With the night fast approaching, to the woods he resorted
With woodbine and ivy his bed for to make
But he dreamt about sighing
Lamenting and crying
Go home to your family and rambling forsake

'Twas the fifth day of November, I've reason to remember
When first he arrived home to his family and friends
And they did stand so astounded
Surprised and dumbfounded
To see such a stranger once more in their sight

And his children come around him with their prittle prattling stories
With their prittle prattling stories to drive care away
And he's as happy as those
As have thousands of riches
Contented he'll remain and not ramble away

This tune was composed by Spencer the Rover
As valiant a man as ever left home
And he had been much reduced
And caused great confusion
And that was the reason he started to roam
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Lyrics taken from /lyrics/j/john_martyn/spencer_the_rover.html

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Songwriters: ASHLEY HUTCHINGS, JOHN SHEPHERD, PHILIP BEER, POLLY BOLTON, SIMON CARE, TRADITIONAL, TREVOR FOSTERS
Spencer The Rover lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Spencer The Rover meanings

  • d
    + 13
    DarkWater
    I know this guy. He could be me or any man. "He had been much reduced" - life had gound him to a nub and he felt unworthy, and lost and in this state he went on a ramble, an Odyssey, so to speak. He was lost but searching and it lead him to the bosom of nature, for escape, reflection, sustenance and rest. Here, with presence of mind and purpose he makes a bed, in which his heart speaks clearly to him through a dream. His repressed emotions are freed and it communicates to him about what his heart cannot bear to be without and what he must do. Despite the awkward shame of standing before his shocked family and friends upon returning, eventually his place is found and the open minds, forgiveness and sharing of the children welcome him such that he puts his fears of being accepted aside, revealed by the line, "to drive care away". Fear, Care, Love, Shame, Innocence and Healing of the Spirit and likely more are all found in this tale. We can get lost, but if we care about ourselves and listen, we can find a way home.
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    • d
      + 13
      DarkWater
      I know this guy. He could be me or any man. "He had been much reduced" - life had gound him to a... Read more →

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