I first heard this song sung by Pete Seeger in 1957. To the best of my knowledge Pete was almost single-handedly responsible for spreading Housewife's Lament far and wide.

Pete never said where he got it or who from. Reading this thread, I don't see any clear indication of folksinger origin before his introduction of it, though Joan O'Bryant dates back far enough, and could be a possibility.

Remaining is the mystery of the lovely tune. The song began, it seems, as a poem. Does anyone know who originated the melody? Did Pete Seeger compose it, or did it come to him with tune attached, and if so, from whom?

Bob