Now I can tell you just exactly where I learned this tune
It was at Roseden and at the harvest supper
Uncle Dodie played the fiddle there
And Billy played the box
And they laughed and drank and sang like there's no war on
I have shepherded these hills, I've been a rabbit-catcher
And I've changed every road sign from Alnwick down to Craster
And I've always loved to play and to watch the people dance
Why, in my youth I've cycled thirty miles to get the chance
Now my father was in Flanders fighting with the Fusiliers
Me and mum were at the cottage till the telegram appeared
Then they gave us one week's notice
There was little time for tears
Uncle Dodie, no he took us in at Roseden
I have shepherded these hills, I've been a rabbit-catcher
And I've changed every road sign from Alnwick down to Craster
And I've always loved to play and to watch the people dance
Why, in my youth I've cycled thirty miles to get the chance
Now I can tell you just exactly where I learned this tune
It was at Roseden and at the harvest supper
I was just a boy of eight then and I hadn't learned to play
But I whistled it for Aunty and we danced it the next day
All around the kitchen table there we danced the cares away
All around the kitchen table there at Roseden
I have shepherded these hills I've been a rabbit catcher
I've changed every road sign from Alnwick down to Craster
And I always loved to play and to watch the people dance
Why, in my youth I've cycled 30 miles to get the chance
And I'd watch them as they'd rant and I'd watch them as they'd twirl
Never once I thought these tunes
Would take me half way round the world.