Song meaning of The Roving by Bonny Light Horseman

The lyrics of the song "The Roving" by Bonny Light Horseman tell a story of love and its unraveling. The song depicts the narrator, presumably a man named Annie, pleading for the affection of a woman named Annie. He desires to be with her and promises to be the man she needs if she marries him. However, as time passes, he notices a change in her. The "roving of her eye" symbolizes her wandering gaze, indicating her diminishing love for him. 

In the chorus, the repetition of the phrase "the roving of her eye" emphasizes the heartbreaking realization that her love is changing, further accentuated by the repetition of the chorus throughout the song. Although the narrator is aware of her shifting affection, he cannot help but reminisce about their past love. He even turns to alcohol to cope with the pain of their deteriorating relationship. The song ends with the narrator still yearning for Annie, contemplating their lost love.

"The Roving" conveys a sense of melancholy and longing, highlighting the disillusionment and heartbreak that can come from changing love. It explores themes of unrequited love, the fleeting nature of relationships, and the struggle to let go of the past.