Spencer the Rover

I've avoided tying my songs into the date or the nearest holiday, but this one is special. "Spencer the Rover" was collected in the 1950s from singer Jim Barrett, by Bob Copper in his capacity as a folklorist, and -- I realized just in time to include it here -- it takes place partly on November 5th. I learned it from the singing of the Copper Family (Bob, John and Jill Copper and Jon Dudley, as of 1998).
Lyrics:
These words were composed by Spencer the Rover
Who had travelled Great Britain and most parts of Wales.
He had been so reduced which caused great confusion
And that was the reason he went on the roam.
In Yorkshire near Rotherham he had been on his rambles,
Being weary of travelling he sat down to rest.
At the foot of yonder mountain there runs a clear fountain;
With bread and cold water he himself did refresh.
It tasted more sweeter than the gold he had wasted,
More sweeter than honey and gave more content.
But the thoughts of his babies lamenting their father
Brought tears to his eyes and caused him to lament.
The night fast approaching to the woods he resorted,
With woodbine and ivy his bed for to make.
There he dreamt about sighing, lamenting and crying,
Go home to your family and rambling forsake.
On the fifth of November I’ve a reason to remember,
When first he arrived home to his family and wife.
They stood so surprised when first he arrived
To behold such a stranger once more in their sight.
His children came around him with their prittle-prattling stories,
With their prittle-prattling stories to drive care away.
Now they are united like birds of one feather,
Like bees in one hive contented they’ll stay.
So now he is a-living in his cottage contented,
With woodbine and roses growing all around the door.
He’s as happy as those that’s got thousands of riches;
Contented he’ll stay and go rambling no more.