Well I came unto a scolding wife
A few short years ago
And ever since, I lead a life of misery and woe
My wife, she is a tyrant
Around the brew (?) and in
Oh, to sell her to the devil
For a glass or two of gin

Should I get up and go to work
As smart as any man
And she'll get up and dress herself
And go and have her dram
And if I chance to say a word
As well I know my doom
She'll follow me with the fire shovel up and down the room

CHORUS
And if the devil would take her,
I'd thank him for his pain
I swear to god I'll hang meself
If I get married again
And if the devil would take her,
I'd thank him for his pain
I swear to god I'll hang meself
If I get married again

Well once I asked me scoldin' wife
If I could go to bed
She scarce gave me an hour on the pillow to lay me head
When like a roarin' lion
She came bustin' down the door
She caught me by the middle
And threw me naked on the floor

Chorus

Well me and my companions
Go to a public place
She'll search around the neighborhood
Until she finds my face
She'll hoist me up in ridicule
Before the company
Saying: 'Petticoats is your master and forever horse you'll be!"

CHORUS x2