The Happy Wanderer

(Val-de Ri Val-de Ra)
A popular song from 1954
Words by Antonia Ridge
Music by Friedr. W. Moller


The sheet music:


Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:


Lyrics

1. I love to go a-wandering
Along the mountain track
And as I go, I love to sing
My knapsack on my back
Val-de ri, Val-de ra, Val-de ra
Val-de ha ha ha ha ha ha
Val-de ri, Val-de ra
My knapsack on my back

2. I love to wander by the stream
That dances in the sun
So joyously it calls to me
“Come! Join my happy song!”
Val-de ri, Val-de ra, Val-de ra
Val-de ha ha ha ha ha ha
Val-de ri, Val-de ra
“Come! Join my happy song!”

3. I wave my hat to all I meet
And they wave back to me
And black birds call so loud and sweet
From every Greenwood tree
Val-de ri, Val-de ra, Val-de ra
Val-de ha ha ha ha ha ha
Val-de ri, Val-de ra
From every Greenwood tree

4. High overhead, the skylarks wing
They never rest at home
But just like me, they love to sing
As o’er the world we roam
Val-de ri, Val-de ra, Val-de ra
Val-de ha ha ha ha ha ha
Val-de ri, Val-de ra
As o’er the world we roam

5. Oh, may I go a-wandering
Until the day I die
Oh, may I always laugh and sing
Beneath God’s clear blue sky
Val-de ri, Val-de ra, Val-de ra
Val-de ha ha ha ha ha ha
Val-de ri, Val-de ra
Beneath God’s clear blue sky


Sung by Laurence Rubenstein: