The Wagoner's Lad

Oh hard is the fortune of all womankind
They're always controlled, they're always confined
Confined by their parents until they are wives
Then slaves to their husbands for the rest of their lives

Oh 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 parents don't like me because I am poor
They say I'm not worthy of entering your door
But I work for a living, my money's my own
And if they don't like it, they can leave me alone"

"Your horses are hungry, go feed them some hay
Come sit down beside me as long as you stay"
"My horses ain't hungry, they won't eat your hay
So fare thee well darling I'll be on my way"

Oh hard is the fortune of all womankind
They're always controlled, they're always confined
Confined by their parents until they are wives
Then slaves to their husbands for the rest of their lives