A different song, but with some of the same ideas, is included in Sam Henry's "Songs of the People," p. 503, with music.

Lyr. Add: THE SCOLDING WIFE

Come all ye sprightly sporting youths, wherever you may be,
You'll never know your misery till married that you'll be,
For if marriage be a paradise, I'm sure it's I can tell,
It is my firm opinion that I never will do well.

Refrain
For she's aye, aye scowlin', an' she's aye scowlin' me,
She's for everlasting scowlin' and she canna let me be.

When neighbour Tam and I go out, our whistles for to wet,
My wife she falls a-bawling and I think I hear her yet,
There's nothing I do like so well as a bottle and a friend
But that I dar'na mention for fear I might offend.

There's nothing I do like so well as a dish o' dainty meat,
But she cooks it up sae claty that yin bite I canna eat,
And if I ever chance tae thraw my lip or gi'e my heed a nod,
She says, 'You're gettin' saucy, you may go and chew your cud.'

When that I come home at night from market or from fair,
She'll meet me at the durestep an' drag me by the hair,
She sets me in the corner and she'll buff me a' aroon,
And if ever I chance to miss a clout she'll hunt me roun' the toon.

Now to conclude and finish, I've got nae mair tae add,
But I'll lave it to the company if my case it isna bad.
I trust that something it will come that parted we will be,
And I hope the divil will get her yet before she finishes me.

claty = dirty, muddy, messily. thraw = twist. durestep = doorstep.
John Henry Macaulay, Co. Antrim. Other titles; "The Married Man," "The Bad (Wicked) Wife."