I'm eighteen years old today, mama
and I'm longing to be wed.
So buy for me a young man to comfort me, she said.
You must buy for me a young man
who will stay with me all night.
And I'll roll him in my arms
he'll be my heart's delight.
Ah, hold your tongue, dear daughter then
or your folds I will pull down.
Your silks and satins I will pull down
you must wear your morning gown.
I'll send you to the meadows
for to rake and mow the hay.
With your pike and shaft all in your hand
you must earn your drink and take.
Ah, hold your tongue, dear daughter then
I was forty before I wed.
Although it was late, I thought it no weight
to carry my maidenhead.
Well that may be the way with you, mama
but it isn't the way with me.
For I'm young and airy, light and crazy
and married I long to be.
Ah, hold your tongue, dear daughter then
and I'll buy for you a man.
A man for me? Oh, mother, she said
you must hasten, you must you can.
The sooner the better, oh mother
she said, you must hasten a man to me.
For I'm young and airy, light and contrary
and married I long to be.