[Verse 1]
Old Adam was the first man formed, this everybody knows
He never paid his tailor's bill because he wore no clothes
No soft kid gloves upon his hand as you may well suppose
No shirt nor collar 'round his neck nor shoes to hide his toes
[Chorus]
When Adam delved and Eve she span
Who was then the gentleman?
[Verse 2]
He neither rent nor taxes paid nor none came to his door
And he'd enough of meat and drink and some left for the poor
But then the poor were not yet born nor either were the great
No thieves nor rogues had he to fear he never locked his gate
[Chorus]
When Adam delved and Eve she span
Who was then the gentleman?
[Verse 3]
His time pa**ed easy on the wing he lived a frugal life
Nor quarreled he with anyone unless it was his wife
He never once example took of other people's ways
And he never went to routes or balls to playhouse or to plays
[Chorus]
When Adam delved and Eve she span
Who was then the gentleman?
[Verse 4]
His wife unlike our women now in frills or bows ne're dressed
Nor had she tasted gin nor tea and was not Adam blessed?
Her neighbors she ne'er scandalized nor treated them with scorn
She was the j**el of women found because none else were born
[Chorus]
When Adam delved and Eve she span
Who was then the gentleman?
[Verse 5]
He lived until a good old age without any care or strife
And when his days had run their course alas poor Adam died
Without a good oak coffin there they laid him in the clay
And never were they once afraid of his being stole away
[Chorus]
When Adam delved and Eve she span
Who was then the gentleman?
Who was then the gentleman?
Who was then the gentleman?