The Happy Wanderer

(My Knapsack On My Back)

Words & Music:

Friedrich-Wilhelm Möller

 

The original title of this was "Der fröhliche Wanderer" (the happy wanderer) or "Mein Vater war ein Wandersmann" (my father was a wanderer).  It is also referred to as "Val-Deri, Val-Dera".  Contrary to popular belief, it is not a traditional  folk song, but a modern composition in the style of one.  You can either sing the chorus as written, or use the last half-line of each verse as the final line of the chorus following it.  [i.e. "Come join my happy song."]

 

  A                                         E7

I love to go a-wandering along the mountain track.

    E7        A                D        E7    A

And as I go I love to sing, my knapsack on my back!

 

CHORUS:

      E          A          E          A

Val-deri!  Val-dera!  Val-deri!  Val-dera-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!

      E          A       D        E7    A

Val-deri!  Val-dera!  My knapsack on my back.

 

I love to wander by the stream that dances in the sun.

So joyously it calls to me:  "Come join my happy song!"

 

CHORUS:  [last line can be:  "Come join my happy song!"]

 

I wave my hat to all I meet and they wave back to me.

And blackbirds call so loud and sweet, from every greenwood tree.

 

CHORUS:  [last line can be:  "...from every greenwood tree."]

 

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.

 

CHORUS:  [last line can be:  "...as o'er the world we roam."]

 

Oh, may I go a-wandering until the day I die.

And may I always laugh and sing, beneath the clear blue sky.

 

CHORUS:  [last line can be:  "...beneath the clear blue sky."]