G    D  G    D G

[Verse]
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