Husband, husband, cease your strife,

Nor longer idly rave, sir;

Tho’ I am your wedded wife,

Yet I am not your slave, sir.

‘One of two must still obey,

Nancy, Nancy;

Is it man or woman, say,

My spouse Nancy?’

If ’tis still the lordly word,

Service and obedience;

I’ll desert my sov’reign lord,

And so good-bye allegiance!

‘Sad shall I be, so bereft,

Nancy, Nancy!

Yet I’ll try to make a shift,

My spouse Nancy.’

My poor heart then break it must,

My last hour I’m near it:

When you lay me in the dust,

Think how you will bear it.

‘I will hope and trust in Heaven,

Nancy, Nancy;

Strength to bear it will be given,

My spouse Nancy.’

Well, sir, from the silent dead

Still I’ll try to daunt you;

Ever round your midnight bed

Horrid sprites shall haunt you.

‘I’ll wed another, like my dear

Nancy, Nancy;

Then all hell will fly for fear,

My spouse Nancy.’