Irish traditional song lyrics — collected by Beer Belly Band.
As I went out one morning it being the month of May
A farmer and his daughter I spied upon me way,
The girl sat down quite calmly to the milking of her cow
Saying I will and I must get married for the humour is on me now.
Ah be quiet you foolish daughter and hold your foolish tongue,
You’re better free and single and happy while you’re young,
But the daughter shook her shoulders as she milked her patient cow,
Saying I will and I must get married for the humour is on me now.
And who are you to tell me that and you married young yourself
And took me darling mother from off the single shelf,
Ah sure daughter dear go easy and milk your patient cow,
For a man may have his humour but the humour is off me now.
But indeed I’ll tell me mother the awful things you say,
Indeed I’ll tell me mother this very blessed day,
Now daughter have a heart dear or you’ll cause a fearful row,
Well I will unless I’m married for the humour is on me now.
Oh well if you must get married will you tell me who’s the man
And quickly she did answer there’s William, James and John,
A carpenter, a tailor, and a man to milk the cow,
For I will and I must get married for the humour is on me now.
Well if you must be married will you tell me what you’ll do?
Sure I will the daughter answered, sure the same as Ma and you,
I’ll be mistress of me dairy, and me butter and me cow,
And your husband too, I’ll venture, for the humour is on you now.
So at last the daughter married and married well-to-do,
She loved her darling husband for a month, a year or two;
But John was all a tyrant and she quickly rued her vow,
Saying I’m sorry that I’m married for the humour is off me now.