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 the rest of their lives I am a poor girl, my fortune is sad I've always been courted by the wagoner's 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 on hay Come down by me darling as long as you may My horses aren't 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 am 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 whip's in my hand So fare thee well darling, I'll no longer stand 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 the rest of their lives