HEIGH HO FOR A HUSBAND



There was a maid the other day

Sighed sore, "God wot!"

And then she said,"All wives might have their way

But maidens they might not.

Full eighteen years have passed," she said,

"Since I, poor soul, was born.

And if I chance to die a maid

Apollo is foresworn."



cho: Heigh-ho! for a husband

Heigh-ho! for a husband,

Still this was her song

I will have a husband, have a husband

Be he old or young.



An ancient suitor to her came

His beard was almost grey;

Tho' he was old and she was young

She would no longer stay.

But to her mother went this maid

And told her by and by,

That she a husband needs must have

And this was still her cry:



"A wedded life, ah! well-a-day

It is a hapless lot!

Young maids may marry, be they gay

Young wives, alas! may not.

A twelve-month is too long to bear

This sorry yoke," she said,

"Since wives they may not have their will,

'Tis best to die a maid!"



final chorus:

Heigh-ho! with a husband,

Heigh-ho! with a husband,

What a life lead I!

Out on a husband, such a husband,

Fie, fie, fie, oh! fie."



From Songs From Shakespeare's Plays, Kines

Note: Mentioned in Shakespeare's Much Ado about Nothing, Act III

Scenes 1 and 4. Tune from John Gamble's Manuscript Common

Place Book. RG

@marriage @oldmaid

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