Steeleye Span - I Wish That I Never Was Wed lyrics

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 bu*ter 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.