The Bachelor’s Lay

As I was a traveling one morning in May,
I heard on old bachelor beginning a lay;
“Oh, I can’t tell why the reason may be
that none of those girls will marry me.

“I’ve courted the rich and I’ve courted the poor.
I’ve often been snubbed at the meeting house door.
And I can’t tell why the reason may be
that none of those girls will marry me.

“I’ve offered them silver, I’ve offered them gold,
and many fine stories to them I have told.
But gold and silver won’t do, I can see,
for none of those girls have married me.

“I’ve been through the mountains, I’ve traveled the plains.
I courted the missus, I’ve courted the dames.
And I can’t tell why the reason may be
that none of those girls will marry me.

“I’ve sailed on the main and I’ve followed the coast.
No conquest of love can I honestly boast.
And I can’t tell what the reason may be
that none of those girls will marry me.

“I’ve asked them to tell me what stood in their way.
And all of them answered ‘I’d rather not say.’
So I can’t tell why the reason may be
that none of those girls will marry me.”

“Go shave off your whiskers and powder your hair!
Go dress yourself up with the greatest of care.
Put on your broad sword and bright buckles too! …
if you want a young lady to marry you.”