I once loved a rover -- I knew he was that from the start
And loving a rover, at best, is a delicate art
His love for me brought us together
I gave him my heart
But his love for himself and the road is what led us to part
He said he would change a few things, though he'd not settle down
He was through with his lying and through being run out of town
He'd roamed a long time and was happy, and freedom was key
I said I'd be his, if his steps always led back to me
I knew about the girls,
Though he said: "No, they're nothing like you!"
At first I was proud, and I thought that perhaps it was true
But he'd laugh and he'd flirt, and he'd send them a letter a day
And he couldn't be bothered to write me when he went away
I once loved a rover -- I knew he was that from the start
And loving a rover, at best, is a delicate art
His love for me brought us together
I gave him my heart
But his love for himself and the road is what led us to part
I tried to be strong and to give him whatever he'd need
I knew he was set in his ways, so why bother to plead?
I asked him to visit me more, but he spoke to me less
I asked him to tell me the truth, but he left me to guess
And that day I woke up,
And I thought: "I have been giving the best of me,
While he thinks that I should be content with whatever I get."
"I'm sorry you're sad," was the closest he came to apology
"I'm a hard man to love," was the closest he came to regret
For fair Lady Fortune, the game is in who she can catch
She promises riches that no mortal woman can match
I know now she gives him his joy, and new songs to be sung
And she's left my heart grieving, and widowed too terribly young
I once loved a rover -- I knew he was that from the start
And loving a rover, at best, is a delicate art
His love for me brought us together
I gave him my heart
But his love for himself and the road is what led us to part
His love for himself and the road is what led us to part