Oh, when I was a bachelor young and airy
I would mind me wall's content.
I married a wife for to lie by me
Which causes me aye to lament.
When I come home both wet and weary
It's wet and weary do I come
Me wife's in bed til after eleven
On the longest day in the month of June.

And the first half-year that I was married
I never could get one wink of sleep.
For she scratched my head til the blood did trickle
Saying husband dear put down your feet.
But when that I asked her the question
It's husband dear, come come come
Young women, you know, they must have pleasure
And a poor man's labour is never done.

And the second half-year that I was married
She bore to me a loving son.
And she sends me down to rock the cradle
And she give me kisses when I'm done,
And if he shrieks she beats and bangs me
And if he cries, I'm the first to run
It's away from the hearth with me coat and me britches
And a poor man's labour is never done.

Come all you young men I pray take a warning
Be sure and choose a loving wife.
And ne'er take home my wife's sister
Or she'll plague you all her life.
And ne'er take home my wife's mother
Or she'll plague you even more
You can take from me my wife and welcome
And then my troubles will be o'er.