Woodside Morris Men's Songbook: Rolling Home: John Tams' song was written for a theatrical version of Cider with Rose, and has gone on to become a firm Folky favourite.

Songbook

When it comes to singing, it may fairly be said that Woodside, on occasions, demonstrate a greater level of enthusiasm than quality. But such is often the fate of Folk singing - the songs are sung by people 'of the people' and our abilities brilliantly reflect that great and noble custom. The truth is, when singing with a pint in your hand after an arduous evening's dancing and playing, it is enthusiasm, participation and camaraderie that tend to create the moment.

And speaking of participation, here is your chance to make the difference! Select from the songs below, and lo! Your pleasure shall be displayed in the song panel to the right! Put your finger in your ear, and let it rip...

Country Life

Drunken Sailor

Pleasant and Delightful

The Boar's Head Carol

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

Rolling Home

by JOHN TAMS

Verse 1

Round goes the wheel of fortune, don’t be afraid to ride.
There’s a land of milk and honey, waits on the other side.
There’ll be peace and there’ll be plenty, you’ll never need to roam.
When we go rolling home, when we go rolling home.

Chorus

Rolling home, when we go rolling home
When we go rolling, rolling, when we go rolling home.

Verse 2

The gentry in their fine array, do prosper night and morn.
While we unto the fields must go, to plough and sow their corn.
The rich may steal the power, but the glory’s ours alone,
When we go rolling home, when we go rolling home.

Verse 3

The frost is on the hedgerow, the icy winds do blow.
While we poor weary labourers, strive through the driving snow.
Our dreams fly up to glory, Up where the lark has flown,
When we go rolling home, when we go rolling home.

Verse 4

The summer of resentment, the winter of despair.
The journey to contentment, is set with trap and snare.
Stand to and stand together, your labour’s yours alone,
When we go rolling home, when we go rolling home.

Verse 5

So pass the bottle round, and let the toast go free.
Here’s a health to every labourer, wherever they may be.
Fair wages now and ever, let’s reap what we have sown,
When we go rolling home, when we go rolling home.

This one's got a home! Written by legendary Folk artiste John Tams, who more recently scored the music for ‘War Horse’ and less recently accompanied Sean Bean across the Iberian Peninsular at the command of King George. The song was written for a theatrical adaptation of ‘Cider with Rosie’ in 1987, and has gone on to become a folk club and session favourite, particularly as the night comes to an end. In true folk tradition, the song is variously known as ‘The Wheel of Fortune’, ‘Round goes the Wheel of Fortune’, and simply, ‘Rolling Home’.