“The Married Man”
Description
The singer looks back fondly on seven years of marriage: His wife cares for him (even when he drinks too much), and never questions or scolds. He advises girls to keep this in mind" So, girls, mind you this when you marry."
Supplemental text
Married Man, The
Complete text(s)
*** A ***
From Henry, Huntington, Herrmann, Sam Henry's Songs of the People, p. 501.
Henry #701, printed May 1, 1937. From Harriet Brownlow of Ballylaggan,
Cloyfin.
I've been a married man this seven years and more,
And blessed be the day I was married;
I never had a word between my love and I,
Though late in the ale-house we tarried.
When I come home, not a word's to be said,
She lights me a candle and puts me to bed,
And lets me lie there till I settle my head,
So, girls, mind you this when you marry.
When I rise in the morning, to scold it's no use,
For scolding it ne'er mends the matter,
She makes me some tea or some chocolate hot
Or something that I do like better.
I slip her a kiss, to my work I do go,
She never says, "Husband, why do you do so?"
But like two doves we live and no sorrow we know,
So, girls, mind you this when you marry.
On Saturday night when the money runs short,
We make the less do upon Sunday;
He says, 'My dearest dead, I'll do better next week,
I'll go early to work upon MOnday.'
So all ye young women, your husbands adore,
Be ye loving and kind, be they ever so poor,
And God will always be increasing your store,
So, girls, mind you this when you marry.
References
- SHenry H701, p. 501, "The Married Man" (1 text, 1 tune)
- ST HHH701 (Full)
- Roud #9465
- BI, HHH701