"The Wagoner's Lad" lyrics

Oh, hard is the fortune of all woman kind
They're always controlled, they're always confined
Controlled by their parents until they are wived
Then slaves to their husbands the rest of their lives

Oh, I've been 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 parents don't like me because I am poor
They say I'm unworthy of entering your door
I work for my living, my money's my own
And folks that don't like me can leave me alone

Oh, put up your horses and feed them some hay
Come sit down here by me as long as you stay
My horses ain't hungry, they won't eat your hay
So fare you well darlin', I'll be on my way

Your wagon needs greasing, your whip is to mend
Come sit down here by me as long as you can
My wagon is greased, my whip's in my hand
So fare you well darlin', no longer to stand