1. Oh, hard is the fortune of all womankind.
They're always controlled, and they're always confined.
Controlled by their parents until they are wives,
Then slaves to their husbands all the rest of their lives.
2. I'm just a poor girl, my fortune is sad,
I've always been courted by the wagoner's lad.
He courted me daily by night and by day,
And now he is loaded and going away.
3. "Your parents don't like me because I am poor,
They say I'm not worthy of entering your door.
I work for my living, my money's my own,
And if they don't like me they can leave me alone."
4. "Your horses are hungry, go feed them some hay.
Come sit down beside me as long as you may."
"My horses ain't hungry, they won't eat your hay,
So fare thee well, darling, I'll be on my way."
5. "Your wagon needs greasing, your whip's for to mend.
Come sit down here by me as long as you can."
"My wagon is greasy, my whip's in my hand,
So fare thee well, darling, no longer to stand."
