"The Wagoner's Lad" - Traditional Appalachian Folk Song

Hi Everyone

This morning I have been working out a version of an old Appalachian folk song called "The Wagoners Lad"

This song has been coved by many artists like Doc Watson ,Billy Strings , Joan Baez , John Denver etc.

The earliest record I could find for this version of the song are from 1928 recorded by an artist called
Buell Kazee.

The song tells the story of a young woman who is courted by a wagoner's lad. Her parents don't like him because he is poor.He tells her he is self-supporting and not ashamed. He tells her he is leaving; she asks him to linger with him, but he refuses. She laments women's hard fortune

I hope you like my version of this old folk song.

"The Wagoner's Lad"

Oh hard is the fortune of all womankind.
They're always controlled,and they're always confined.
Controlled by their parents until they are wives,
Then slaves to their husbands the rest of their lives.

I am a a poor girl, my fortune is sad.
I've always been courted by the wagoner's lad.
He courted me daily, by night and by day,
But now he is loaded and going away.

Your parents don't like me because I am poor.
They say I'm not worthy of entering your door
I work for my living, my money's my own,
So if they don't like me, they can leave me alone.

Your horses are hungry, go feed them some hay.
The lay down beside me as long as you may.
My horses ain't hungry, they won't eat your hay,
So fare thee well darling, I'll be on my way.

Your wagon needs greasing, your whip is to mend,
Come here down beside me as long as you can.
My wagon is greasy, my whip's in my hand,
So fare the well, darling, I'll no longer stand.

Your horses are hungry, go feed them some hay.
The lay down beside me as long as you may.
My horses ain't hungry, they won't eat your hay,
So fare thee well darling, I'll be on my way.