Ohh... Hard is the fortune of all womankind
They're are always controlled, they're always confined .
Controlled by their parents untill they are wives
Then to slave to their husbands the rest of their lives
I'm a poor girl my fortune is sad.
I've always been courted by the wagoners lad.
He's courted me daily,
By night and by day
And now he is loaded and going away.
Your horses are hungry, go feed them our hay.
Come down by me darling as long as you may.
My horses are not hungry, they won't eat your hay...
So fare thee well darling. I'll be on my way.
Your parents don't like me because I'm poor.
They say I'm not worthy of entering your door.
I work for my living, my money's my own
And if they don't like me they can leave me alone .
Your wagon needs greasing,
Your whip is to mend
Come here down beside me
As long as you can
My wagon is greasy, my whips in my hand.
So fare thee well darling
I'll no longer stand .
(Oh hard is the fortune of womankind ...)
