A WOMAN'S WORK IS NEVER DONE
(Lesley Nelson-Burns)


Come all who roam, both old and young,
And listen to my song,
I'll tell you of a circumstance,
That will not keep you long;
I saw a man the other day,
As savage as a Turk,
And he was grumbling at his wife
And said she did no work.

Chorus
So men, if you would happy be,
Don't grumble at your wife so;
For no man can imagine
What a woman has to do.

He said: You lazy huzzy!
Indeed you must confess;
For I'm a-tired of keeping you
In all your idleness.
The woman she made answer:
I work as hard as you,
And I will just run through the list
What a woman has to do.

Chorus

At six o'clock each morning
Off to your work you go;
At eight I rise to light the fire
And the bellows for to blow;
I have to set the tea things'
And get the kettle boiled;
Besides, you know, I have to wash
And dress the youngest child.

Chorus

I have to shake and make the bed,
And sweep the room also,
I have to knit, I have to spin,
I have to sit and sew;
Besides, and this you well do know,
I always make a rule
To wash and dress the little ones
And send them off to school.

So men if you would happy be,
Don't grumble at your wife so;
But think of your poor mother,
How she put up with you.



(Contributed by Bette Carl - July 2004)