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I Wish That I Never Was Wed

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Gmajor

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[Intro]
G    D  G    D G
[Verse]
GOh, ladies take pity on me
Let me in your company Dmingle
I Gonce was merry and free
And, like you, I was Dhappy and Gsingle
GMe mother advised me to wed
For seventeen years I had Dtarried
So, Goff to the church I did go
In a trice to a Dman to be Gmarried
Oh, I wish that I Dnever was Gwed
[Verse]
GFor a short time he loved me sincere
He used me both kindly and Dcivil
The Ghoneymoon scarcely was o'er
When he turned Dout a queer Gdevil
GThe bed he took up on his back
And off to the pawnshop he Dcarried
Oft Gtimes I wished I was dead
Or better, I Dnever was Gmarried
Oh, I wish that I Dnever was Gwed
[Verse]
GTo the landlord he won't pay the rent
He says that he is not Dable
There's Gnothin' now left in the house
But two broken Dchairs and a Gtable
GThe bedclothes, the kettle and broom
Off to the pawnshop he Dcarried
He Ggrunts, he snores, he roars
Oh, I wish that I Dnever was Gmarried
Oh, I wish that I Dnever was Gwed
[Instrumental]
G    D  G    D G
[Verse]
GOh, when he buys the meat once a month
That's if I'm not sadly misDtaken
There's Gnothin' but sheep's head and pluck
And a bit of sweet Dliver and Gbacon
GHe says bread and butter are dear
And these times are shockingly Dharried
All Gday he drinks whisky and beer
Oh, I wish that I Dnever was Gmarried
Oh, I wish that I nevDer was wedG  
[Verse]
GOne night he came home in a rage
He busted me new shoes aDsunder
The Gcat he kicked into the grate
And the table flew Dout of the Gwindow
GThe bellows he threw at me head
Me clothes to the pawnshop he Dcarried
That Gnight I wished I was dead
Or better, I Dnever was Gmarried
Oh, I wish that I Dnever was Gwed
[Instrumental]
G    D  G    D G
G    D  G    D G
[Verse]
GOh, if I was but single again
I'd sing and be joyous and Dmerry
I'd Glaugh, I'd shout, I'd roar
I'd be heard in the DKingdom of GKerry
GSo maidens single remain
Bide your time, you'll never be Dharried
If GI was but single again
By jingo, I'd Dnever get Gmarried
Oh, I wish that I Dnever was Gwed

All chords in this song (2)

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I Wish That I Never Was Wed

by Steeleye Span

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

[Intro]

G D G D G

[Verse]

Oh, ladies take pity on me

Let me in your company mingle

I once was merry and free

D G

And, like you, I was happy and single

Me mother advised me to wed

For seventeen years I had tarried

So, off to the church I did go

D G

In a trice to a man to be married

D G

Oh, I wish that I never was wed

[Verse]

For a short time he loved me sincere

He used me both kindly and civil

The honeymoon scarcely was o'er

D G

When he turned out a queer devil

The bed he took up on his back

And off to the pawnshop he carried

Oft times I wished I was dead

D G

Or better, I never was married

D G

Oh, I wish that I never was wed

[Verse]

To the landlord he won't pay the rent

He says that he is not able

There's nothin' now left in the house

D G

But two broken chairs and a table

The bedclothes, the kettle and broom

Off to the pawnshop he carried

He grunts, he snores, he roars

D G

Oh, I wish that I never was married

D G

Oh, I wish that I never was wed

[Instrumental]

G D G D G

[Verse]

Oh, when he buys the meat once a month

That's if I'm not sadly mistaken

There's nothin' but sheep's head and pluck

D G

And a bit of sweet liver and bacon

He says bread and butter are dear

And these times are shockingly harried

All day he drinks whisky and beer

D G

Oh, I wish that I never was married

D G

Oh, I wish that I never was wed

[Verse]

One night he came home in a rage

He busted me new shoes asunder

The cat he kicked into the grate

D G

And the table flew out of the window

The bellows he threw at me head

Me clothes to the pawnshop he carried

That night I wished I was dead

D G

Or better, I never was married

D G

Oh, I wish that I never was wed

[Instrumental]

G D G D G

[Verse]

Oh, if I was but single again

I'd sing and be joyous and merry

I'd laugh, I'd shout, I'd roar

D G

I'd be heard in the Kingdom of Kerry

So maidens single remain

Bide your time, you'll never be harried

If I was but single again

D G

By jingo, I'd never get married

D G

Oh, I wish that I never was wed

About I Wish That I Never Was Wed Chords by Steeleye Span

Learn how to play I Wish That I Never Was Wed by Steeleye Span with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “I Wish That I Never Was Wed chords”, “I Wish That I Never Was Wed guitar chords”, or “Steeleye Span I Wish That I Never Was Wed chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy I Wish That I Never Was Wed chords and for experienced players who want accurate I Wish That I Never Was Wed lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include G, D.

FAQ — I Wish That I Never Was Wed by Steeleye Span

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