Irish traditional song lyrics — collected by Beer Belly Band.
Young ladies have pity on me let me and your company mingle
I once was a maiden so free and like you I was happy and single
Me mother advised me to wed until seventeen I had tarried
To the church ask herself and the triads like a day with man to get married
But 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 till he turned out a fair divil
The bed he took up on his back and off to the pawn shop he carried
I oft times wish I was dead before that I ever got married
I wish that I never was wed
To the landlord he won’t pay the rent because he declares he’s not able
There’s nothing now left in the house but two broken chairs and a table
The bedclothes, the kettle the broom, the washing tub off he has carried
He grunts and he snores and he shouts I wish that I never was married
I wish that I never was wed
When he buys the meat once a month or I am greatly mistaken
Tis only a sheep’s head and clock or a bit of sweet liver and bacon
He says bread and butter are dear and time was shockingly harried
All day he drinks whiskey and beer I wish that I never was married
I wish that I never was wed
One night he came home in a rage he busted me new shoes a sunder
The cat he kicked under the bed and the table threw out of the window
The bellows he threw at me head me clothes to the pawn shop he carried
I oft times wish I was dead before that I ever got married
I wish that I never was wed
If I was but single again I’d be happy and joyous and merry
I’d sing and I’d shout and I’d laugh to be held in the kingdom Kerry
So young maidens single remain by a tyrant you’ll never be harried
If I was but single again and by jingo I’d never get married
I wish that I never was wed