The Wearing of the Britches
Source: Where The Linnets Sings (2026)
Location: Track 31
Come all young men where e’re you be and listen to my lamentation.
I courted a girl of beauty rare and I loved her beyond admiration.
Soon in time she became my wife, it wasn’t for love it was for riches,
And then at times it caused great strife to see which of us would wear the britches.
Oh, Paddy Kane it is my name my height it is five foot eleven.
And my wife she is not so big, she only measures four foot seven.
How often we do fight and maul, there’s nothing going but rogues and witches,
Her head comes often to the wall, but still she swears she’ll wear the britches.
I am a tailor to my trade at cutting out I am quite handy,
And all the money that I earn she leaves it out on tea and brandy.
The hedges I have nearly stripped, I’ve left them short of rods and switches.
Her hide with blows I have left black, but still she swears she’ll wear the britches.
One morning at the tea and eggs contented sitting by the fire,
She threw the teapot at my legs, she made me lep and then retire.
How often I do sigh and moan, I may go hobbling on my crutches,
I wish I’d broke my collar bone the day I let her wear my britches.
So, now young men where e’re you be ne’er marry a maid if she’s enchanting,
For if you do, when she is young with the young men she’ll be gallanting.
Now my advice to any young man is to marry for love and work for riches,
If you can’t get a girl with a civil tongue that’ll give you leave to wear your britches.