Key: G
Introduction: G D G D G
G
Oh, ladies take pity on me
D
Let me in your company mingle
G
I once was merry and free
D G
And, like you, I was happy and single
G
Me mother advised me to wed
D
For seventeen years I had tarried
G
So, off to the church I did go
D G
In a trice to a man to be married
D G
Oh, I wish that I never was wed
Verse
G
For a short time he loved me sincere
D
He used me both kindly and civil
G
The honeymoon scarcely was o'er
D G
When he turned out a queer devil
G
The bed he took up on his back
D
And off to the pawnshop he carried
G
Oft times I wished I was dead
D G
Or better, I never was married
D G
Oh, I wish that I never was wed
Verse
G
To the landlord he won't pay the rent
D
He says that he is not able
G
There's nothin' now left in the house
D G
But two broken chairs and a table
G
The bedclothes, the kettle and broom
D
Off to the pawnshop he carried
G
He grunts, he snores, he roars
D G
Oh, I wish that I never was married
D G
Oh, I wish that I never was wed
Instrumental
G D G D G
Verse
G
Oh, when he buys the meat once a month
D
That's if I'm not sadly mistaken
G
There's nothin' but sheep's head and pluck
D G
And a bit of sweet liver and bacon
G
He says bread and butter are dear
D
And these times are shockingly harried
G
All day he drinks whisky and beer
D G
Oh, I wish that I never was married
D G
Oh, I wish that I never was wed
Verse
G
One night he came home in a rage
D
He busted me new shoes asunder
G
The cat he kicked into the grate
D G
And the table flew out of the window
G
The bellows he threw at me head
D
Me clothes to the pawnshop he carried
G
That night I wished I was dead
D G
Or better, I never was married
D G
Oh, I wish that I never was wed
Instrumental
G D G D G
G D G D G
Verse
G
Oh, if I was but single again
D
I'd sing and be joyous and merry
G
I'd laugh, I'd shout, I'd roar
D G
I'd be heard in the Kingdom of Kerry
G
So maidens single remain
D
Bide your time, you'll never be harried
G
If I was but single again
D G
By jingo, I'd never get married
D G
Oh, I wish that I never was wed