Wagoner's Lad - Tim O'Brien

The heart is the fortune of all women kind

They’re always controlled, they’re always confined

Controlled by their parents until they are wives

Then slaves to their husbands the rest of their lives

I am a poor girl, my fortune is sad

I’ve always been courted by the wagoner’s lad

He courted my dailey, by night and by day

Now his wagon is loaded and he’s going away

Your parents don’t like me because I am poor

They say I’m not worthy of entering your door

I work for my living, my money’s my own

If they don’t like me they can leave me alone

Your horses are hungry go 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 fair thee well darlin.

I’ll feed on my way

Your wagon needs greasin', you whip is to mend

Come sit down here by me as long as you can

My wagon is greasy, my whip’s in my hand

So fair thee well darlin' no longer to stand

The heart is the fortune of all women kind

They’re always controlled, they’re always confined

Controlled by their parents until they are wives

Then slaves to their husbands the rest of their lives