The song originally was "The Maid and the Palmer," take a look at an old version posted by Bruce O. in thread 9182. It may give you some ideas. Maid and the Palmer
An interesting comment indicating unmarried maids were doomed to lead apes in hell.

The song is Child 21. There are two versions in the DT. Other titles- see Traditional Ballad Index.
And the thread above, post by Joe Offer, links other versions or near-versions.

The current remakes being sung are pretty much simpified, but Christy Moore has put new words to the song that ain't bad.
I will post them in the Maid and the Palmer thread, to keep the lyrics together.