The Jolly Wagonner

When first I went a-waggoning, a-waggoning I did go,
I filled me parents’ hearts with sorrow, grief, and woe.
And many are the hardships that I have since gone through,
But I’m still a jolly waggoner and wear a jacket blue.

Chorus (sometimes sung between verses):
Sing woah, me lads, sing woah!
Drive on, me lads, drive on!
Who wouldn’t be a waggoner
And follow the waggon on?

Me shoes are nailed with sixty studs, and I earn me master’s bread,
And when I get up in the morning I go straight to me horse’s head.
I grease his heels and curry him well, and I give him corn and hay,
Then I hitch him to the waggon and I drive him off all day.

As I walked out of Oxford, I heard the bells did ring,
I stepped into an alehouse to hear the people sing.
They sang so sweet and pleasant, their music loud did play,
And they treated me so kindly I could not drive away.

Some people say that waggoning is a dirty trade,
But waggoning is as noble as any ever was made.
For when the year is over and me wages I draw near,
I go into the public house and drink strong ale and beer!