Oh hard is the fortune of all womankind
They're always controlled, they're always confined
Controlled by their parents until they are wives
Then slaves to their husbands for the rest of their lives

I once knew a girl and the story is sad
She offtime been courted by the Wagoner's Lad
He courted her truly, by night and by day
Now his wagon's all loaded, he's pulling away

"Your horses are hungry, go feed them some hay
And sit down beside me for as long as you stay"
"My horses ain't hungry, they won't eat your hay
So fare the well darling I'm pulling  away"

Your parents don't like me, the say I'm to poor
They say I'm not worthy to enter your door
I work for my living, my money's my own
And if they don't like me they can leave me alone