Oh hard is the fortune of all womankind They're always controlled, they're always confined Confined by their parents until they are wives Then slaves to their husbands for the rest of their lives
Oh I am 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 loaded and going away
"Your parents don't like me because I am poor They say I'm not worthy of entering your door But I work for a living, my money's my own And if they don't like it, they can leave me alone"
"Your horses are hungry, go feed them some hay Come sit down beside me as long as you stay" "My horses ain't hungry, they won't eat your hay So fare thee well darling I'll be on my way"
Oh hard is the fortune of all womankind They're always controlled, they're always confined Confined by their parents until they are wives Then slaves to their husbands for the rest of their lives