The Bohemian

1889

Written by Oscar Ferdinand Telgmann and George Frederick Cameron

I've written some Psalms and some songs, I've dabbled in most of the arts:

Quixote-like, righted some wrongs in fact, I have played many parts.

I have seen both the bright and the dark of the world and the things that are its,

like the dove that flew forth from the ark: In a word, I am given to flits.

For the life of a rover is mine, A rover by land and by sea:

With a lady to love and a flagon of wine, oh, the world is the village for me!

To-day, as you see, I am here, Enjoying my pipe and my bowl:

To-morrow, and I may appear inscribing my name on the Pole.

The next day may see me once more, content as a hog upon ice,

Far down on the Florida shore, existing on bacon and rice.

I have hobnobbed with peasant and king, with a hundred to run at my call;

I have seen the sweet flowers of spring lose their odor and grace before Fall.

I have loved with the warmth of the boy and adored with the passion of man,

But the altar's it's drop of alloy, so I came buck to where I began!

Chorus. For the life of a rover is mine etc.