"Spencer the Rover" is one of the best-known songs in the repertoire of the Copper Family. Bob Copper collected it in about 1954 from Jim Barrett, at the Fox in North Waltham, Hampshire and printed this version in his book Songs and Southern Breezes. Their songs were sung as a group and in harmony which is something relatively rare in the English tradition. Bob, Ron, Jill and John Copper recorded "Spencer the Rover" in 1974 on their 4 LP set A Song for Every Season; this track was also included on the 3 CD anthology New Electric Muse. Bob, John and Jill Copper, Jon Dudley sang it on the CD Coppersongs 3: The Legacy Continues and Roberts and Barrand on Spencer the Rover is Alive and Well... . I learned it from Roberts and Barrand's recording.