Women's Work is Never Done

Oh that I had ne'er been married
  since I lead a careful life
Things with me are strangely carried
  now I am become a Wife.

Whe that he doth take his pleasure
   least he should to ruine run;
Here I labour out of measure
   Women's work is never done.

Was I one that e're did slight him,
   then he might some reason have,
But I labour to delight him,
   ever seek to get and save.
Never spending, always sparing
   least he should to ruine run;
Mending, making, thus repairing
   Women's work is never done.

Here I look to my habitation,
   whiles in troubles to and fro:
There is no Woman in the Nation
   doth such troubles undergo.
Carding, spining, I do my endeavour
   never resting till the web is spun,
I must at length go to the Weaver
   Women's work is never done.

He each night doth reel & stagger,
   coming from his drunken Crew,
Nay and over me doth swagger
   tho' I all the work must do.
When he in his Chair is sitting,
   when he calls me then I run,
I make him Cordials yt. are fitting
   womens work is never done.

Ne're had a Woman such a wedding,
  I in Sorrows am opprest,
Yet I bring him to his Lodging,
   where all night he takes his rest:
It is known that he lyes fairly,
   while Eleven, Twelve, or One,
I must be up late & early
   womans work is never done.

In the Field I am expected,
   for to milk my Cattel there,
For it must not be neglected,
   thus I make my constant care,
Tho I am both wet and weary,
   I must to my Labour run.
Serve my Hog and tend my Dairy
   womens work is never done.

If I am from home an hour
   I must surely bear the blame,
For my Husband he will lower,
   all the house is out of frame,
I can have but little quiet,
   for my Daughter & my Son,
Calls upon me for their Dyet,
   womens work is never done.

• Tune (Blaikie Manuscript) gif midi mov

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Copyright © 2001, Jack Campin