Oh, hard is the fortune of all womankind
They're always controlled, they're always confined
Controlled by their parents until they're a wife
Then slaves to their husbands the rest of their lives
Oh, I'm just a poor girl, my fortune is sad
I've always been courted by the wagoner's lad
He's courted me daily, by night and by day
And now he is loading and going away
Your parents don't like me because I am poor
They say I'm not worthy of entering their door
I work for my living, my money's my own
And them that don't like me, they can leave me alone
Your horses are hungry, go feed them some hay
Then sit down here by 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
Your wagon needs greasing, your whip's for to mend
Then 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