 Traditional
O ladies take pity on me,
Let me in your company mingle.
I once was merry and free
And, like you, I was happy and single.
Me mother advised me to wed,
For seventeen years I had tarried.
So, off to the church I did go -
In a trice to a man to be married.
O I wish that I never was wed.
For a short time he loved me sincere,
He used me both kindly and civil;
The honeymoon scarcely was o'er
When he turned out a quare divil!
The bed he took up on his back
And off to the pawnshop he carried
Oft times I wished I was dead
Or better, I never was married.
O I wish that I never was wed.
To the landlord he won't pay the rent
He says that he is not able
There's nothin' now left in the house
But two broken chairs and a table.
The bedclothes, the kettle and broom
Off to the pawnshop he carried.
He grunts, he snores, hoe roars,
O I wish that I never was married,
O I wish that I never was wed.
When he buys the meat once a month
That's if I'm not sadly mistaken,
There's nothin' but sheep's head and pluck
And a bit of sweet liver and bacon.
He says bread and butter are dear
And these times are shockingly harried.
All day he drinks whisky and beer,
O I wish that I never was wed.
One night he came home in a rage
He busted me new shoes asunder,
The cat he kicked into the grate
And the table flew out of the window.
The bellows he threw at me head,
Me clothes to the pawnshop he carried.
That night I wished I was dead
Or better, I never was married.
O I wish that I never was wed.
If I was but single again,
I'd sing and be joyous and merry.
I'd laugh, I'd shout, I'd roar,
I'd be heard in the Kingdom of Kerry!
So maidens single remain,
By your time, you'll never be harried.
If I was bus single again
By jingo, I'd never get married.
O I wish that I never was wed.
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