Wagoner's Lad Lyrics - 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 

And then slaves to their husbands the rest of their life 

I am a poor girl, my fortune is sad 

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

He courted me daily, 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 

But I work for my living, all my money's my own 

And 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', your 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 

And then slaves to their husbands the rest of their life