The Roving Journeyman Guitar Chords And Lyrics

"The Roving Journeyman" is a traditional Scottish folk song that tells the story of a wandering tradesman, or "journeyman," who travels from place to place, working and experiencing life along the way. The song celebrates freedom, adventure, and the joys of travel while also reflecting on the hardships and challenges of a nomadic lifestyle.

Song Meaning and Themes

1. Wandering Lifestyle:
   The song revolves around the theme of freedom and independence, portraying the journeyman as someone who moves from one place to another, taking life as it comes. This reflects the lives of traditional craftsmen who traveled for work in rural Ireland.
   
2. Pride in Labor:
   The journeyman often expresses pride in his trade, a sentiment common among Irish working-class folk songs. The character's self-sufficiency and resilience are central to the narrative.
   
3. Adventure and Romance:
   Many versions of the song also hint at romantic encounters and light-hearted flirtation during the journeyman’s travels. This adds a playful, celebratory tone, emphasizing the carefree spirit of his adventures.
   
4. Challenges of a Nomadic Life:
   Despite its celebratory tone, the song also touches on the loneliness and hardships of constantly moving from place to place. The journeyman is a figure of both independence and isolation.
   

Sample Lyrics (Common Themes)While versions of the song can vary, the journeyman typically expresses sentiments like:
"For I’m a roving journeyman, I roam from town to town,
And wherever I go, my work is known, from hills to the valley down."
These lines capture the essence of his identity: a skilled traveler who is well-known but never tied to one place.

Cultural Context

• Journeymen in Irish Tradition: In traditional Irish society, journeymen were skilled tradesmen (carpenters, blacksmiths, tailors, etc.) who moved around to find work. They were often seen as symbols of freedom, resilience, and resourcefulness.
• Celebration of the Working Class: Like many Irish folk songs, "The Roving Journeyman" celebrates the working class and highlights the dignity of labor, even in a transient lifestyle.

Legacy and Popularity

• The song is often performed in pubs and folk music circles, where its catchy melody and relatable themes make it a favorite.
• Its themes of freedom, resilience, and self-reliance continue to resonate with modern audiences.

A traditional song from Scotland. This version is by The Corries [ lyrics ]. The tin whistle sheet music notes are included along with the chord shapes for the Ukulele..


(Corries version) 
I (D) am a rovin' journeyman, I roam from toon tae (G) toon,
And whenever (D) I get a job of work I'm (A) willing to sit (C) doon
Me (D) kit's all on me shoulder and me graftin' tool in (G) hand
And (D) around the country (G) I will go a (D) rovin' (A7) journeyman. (D)
(C) Whenever I come to (Am) Glasgow toon the (C) lassies jump for (G) joy,
Says (D) one unto another, "Well, here (A) comes a rovin' (C) boy."
Some (D) treat me to a bottle and the others to a (G) dram.
And the (D) toast goes round the (G) table, "Health (D) unto the (A7) journeyman" (D) 

CHORUS: Wi' yer (C) linten adie (Am) toorin adie 
(C) linten adie (Am) tooral linten (C) adie tooral (Am) linten addie (G) ay,
(D) Pots and pans and helpin' hands will (A) see you through the (C) day
(D)Linten adie tooral ooral ooral adie (G) ay
Gie a (D) penny tae the (G) journeyman tae (D) help him (A7) on his (D) way. 

I hadna been in Glasgow toon a week but barely three
Before the provost's daughter went and fell in love wi' me.
She asked me for tae dine wi' her and took me by the hand
And she proudly told her mother that she loved the journeyman
"Ach, away ye go, ye silly maid, I'll hear ye speak no more,
How can ye love a journeyman ye've never seen before?"
"Oh mother sweet, I do entreat, I love him all I can,
And around the country I will go to see my journeyman!" 

Ye'll need nae mair tae trudge on foot, ye'll hae a horse and pair,
My wealth with thee and poverty contented I will share.
So overflow the flowing bowl and drain it if ye can,
Toast the provost's daughter and the rovin' journey man.
Oh, I am a rovin' journeyman, I roam from town to town,
And whenever I get a job of work I'm willing to sit down
Me kit's all on me shoulder and me graftin' tool in hand
And around the country I will go a rovin' journeyman

Alternative version of the guitar chords.

​I (G) am a rovin' journeyman, I roam from toon tae (C) toon,
And whenever (G) I get a job of work I'm (D) willing to sit (F) doon
Me (G) kit's all on me shoulder and me graftin' tool in (C) hand
And (G) around the country (C) I will go a (G) rovin' (D7) journeyman. (G)
(F) Whenever I come to (Dm) Glasgow toon the (F) lassies jump for (C) joy,
Says (G) one unto another, "Well, here (D) comes a rovin' (F) boy."
Some (G) treat me to a bottle and the others to a (C) dram.
And the (G) toast goes round the (C) table, "Health (G) unto the (D7) journeyman" (G) 

CHORUS: Wi' yer (F) linten adie (Dm) toorin adie 
(F) linten adie (Dm) tooral linten (F) adie tooral (Dm) linten addie (C) ay,
(G) Pots and pans and helpin' hands will (D) see you through the (F) day
(G)Linten adie tooral ooral ooral adie (C) ay
Gie a (G) penny tae the (C) journeyman tae (G) help him (D7) on his (G) way. 

A Rovin' Journeyman Sheet Music Notes