Tony Rose - Poor Man's Sorrows lyrics

Now when I was a young man, I was a rover, Nothing wouldn't satisfy me but a wife. Along long ere I was the age of twenty Weary I was of a single life. Kissing and clapping was my occupation, Among the females I did roam. Now I am married and I live at my leisure But the poor man's labours are never o'er. When the first time I married my wife Janet, Out of her company I could not stay. Her voice it was sweeter than the lark or the linnet Or the nightingale at the break of day. But now she's fairly altered her meaning, Now she's fairly altered her tune. Nothing but scoldings comes up her throat So the poor man's labours are never done. In the first half year that we was married Scarce did I get one a-half hour's sleep. With her two heels she rubbed my shins, Says, "Husband dear, put down your feet." And when I asked her what was the meaning Her answer to me was a "Come, come, come." Young men's wives they must have pleasures So the poor man's labours are never done. In the next half year that we was married She brought to me our loving babe. Sat me down to rocking and cradle And give it a gaudy when it await. When it cried, she bitterly scolded, To the door I was forced to run. Without trousers, a wig or a waistcoat, The poor man's labours are never done. So it's I went up to the top of the hill To view my sheep, they had all gone astray. When I came back she was lying in her bed At twelve o'clock on a winter's day. When I came back both wet and weary, Wet and weary, where could I run? She was lying in her bed, the fire up beside her, She said, "Young man, is the kettle on?" And as I was a-sitting by the side of the fire, My wife come in as black as a gun. Slap! come her fist into my face So the poor man's labours are never done. So it's I'll go to my aged mother She is a-sitting there all alone; Says there's plenty of young women to be had So why shouldn't I be tied to one? Take the second one and do try her, And if you find that she will not do, Take the third one and then a fourth And then you'll find your follies new. So it's all young men that means for to marry Be sure and wait for a good, good wife. And never marry my wife's sister For she'll grieve you all your life. Never marry a mother's daughter, For she'll grieve you ever more. Oh d**h come and take my wife And then my sorrows will be o'er.