I came home one night and my husband was gone
             (I’ll have me a harp, I will)
I came home one night and my husband was gone,
So I went out and bought me a car.

I woke up one morning and my car was gone
             (I’ll have me a drum, as well)
I woke up one morning and my car was gone,
So I took the insurance and bought some fine furs.

I came home one night and my furs were gone
             (I’ll have me a harp, I will)
I came home one night and my furs were gone,
So I bought me a dwelling far from the town.

I came home one Sunday and my house had burned down
             (I’ll have me a drum, as well)
I came home one Sunday, my house had burned down
So I went to live with my son.

Then the message came that my son had drowned
             (I’ll have me a harp, I will)
Then the message came that my son had drowned,
I tore off my clothes and I rolled in the mud.

Nine days and nine nights I wept and I keened
             (I’ll have me a drum, as well)
Nine days and nine nights I wept and I keened,
And out of my teardrops, two little men sprung.

The two little men came and sat by my side
             (I’ll have me a harp, I will)
The two little men came and sat by my side
And O! the sad songs that we sung!