"So, we'll go no more a roving" is a

poem Poetry (from the Greek language, Greek word ''poiesis'', "making") is a form of literature, literary art that uses aesthetics, aesthetic and often rhythmic qualities of language to evoke meaning (linguistics), meanings in addition to, or in ...

, written by (George Gordon) Lord Byron (1788–1824), and included in a letter to

Thomas Moore Thomas Moore (28 May 1779 – 25 February 1852), was an Irish writer, poet, and lyricist who was widely regarded as Ireland's "National poet, national bard" during the late Georgian era. The acclaim rested primarily on the popularity of his ''I ...

on 28 February 1817. Moore published the poem in 1830 as part of '' Letters and Journals of Lord Byron''. It evocatively describes how the youth at that time wanted to do something different. Byron wrote the poem at the age of twenty-nine. In the letter to Thomas Moore, the poem is preceded by an account of its genesis: :At present, I am on the invalid regimen myself. The Carnivalthat is, the latter part of it, and sitting up late o' nightshad knocked me up a little. But it is overand it is now Lent, with all its abstinence and sacred music... Though I did not dissipate much upon the whole, yet I find 'the sword wearing out the scabbard,' though I have just turned the corner of twenty-nine. The poem was suggested in part by the refrain of a Scottish song known as " The Jolly Beggar". "The Jolly Beggar" was published in

Herd A herd is a social group of certain animals of the same species, either wild or domestic. The form of collective animal behavior associated with this is called '' herding''. These animals are known as gregarious animals. The term ''herd'' ...

's ''Scottish Songs'' in 1776, decades before Byron's letter, with this refrain: The poem appears as "Go No More A-Roving" on the 2004

Leonard Cohen Leonard Norman Cohen (September 21, 1934November 7, 2016) was a Canadian songwriter, singer, poet, and novelist. Themes commonly explored throughout his work include faith and mortality, isolation and depression, betrayal and redemption, soc ...

album '' Dear Heather''. It was also recorded by

Joan Baez Joan Chandos Baez (, ; born January 9, 1941) is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and activist. Her contemporary folk music often includes songs of protest and social justice. Baez has performed publicly for over 60 years, releasing mo ...

on her 1964 '' Joan Baez/5'' album, by Mike Westbrook on his 1998 album ''The Orchestra of Smith's Academy,'' and by Kris Delmhorst on her 2006 album '' Strange Conversation''. Richard Dyer-Bennet recorded his own setting, with slightly altered text, on the 1955 album ''Richard Dyer-Bennet 1''. The poem also appears on the Marianne Faithfull and

Warren Ellis Warren Girard Ellis (born 16 February 1968) is an English comic book writer, novelist, and screenwriter. He is best known as the co-creator of several original comics series, including ''Transmetropolitan'' (1997–2002), ''Global Frequency'' ...

album '' She Walks in Beauty''. The poem is also a centerpiece of "And the Moon be Still as Bright" from

Ray Bradbury Ray Douglas Bradbury ( ; August 22, 1920June 5, 2012) was an American author and screenwriter. One of the most celebrated 20th-century American writers, he worked in a variety of genres, including fantasy, science fiction, Horror fiction, horr ...

fix-up A fix-up (or fixup) is a novel created from several short fiction stories that may or may not have been initially related or previously published. The stories may be edited for consistency, and sometimes new connecting material, such as a frame ...

'' The Martian Chronicles''. A reading of the poem is performed partially as the first verse, and completely as the final verse, in the cover of

AC/DC AC/DC are an Australian rock band formed in Sydney in 1973. Their music has been variously described as hard rock, blues rock and Heavy metal music, heavy metal, although the band calls it simply "rock and roll". They are cited as a formativ ...

's " For Those About to Rock" by TISM. The poem serves as a basis for the chorus of the song " The Jolly Beggar" as recorded by the traditional Irish band Planxty, as well as the basis for the love leitmotif in

Patrick Doyle Patrick Doyle (born 6 April 1953) is a Scottish composer and occasional actor best known for his film scores. During his 50-year career in film, television and theatre, he has composed the scores for over 60 feature films. A longtime collaborato ...

's score for the film '' Mary Shelley's Frankenstein'', where it is fully realized in the track "The Wedding Night". The poem is referenced in the epilogue of the novel '' Fevre Dream'' by George R. R. Martin. The poem is also featured in John Wyndham's post-apocalyptic novel '' The Day of the Triffids'', where it occurs when a blinded pianist commits suicide. The first line is a sub-theme to the " Dark Autumn" episode of '' Midsomer Murders''.

References

External links

Annotated poem at the University of Toronto library
{{Byron Poetry by Lord Byron 1817 poems Scottish poems

See also

References

External links