I Wish That I Never Was Wed - Steeleye Span

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 butter 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