"Devilish Mary" lyrics - ODETTA

ODETTA
"Devilish Mary"
(Traditional)

I one dressed up and went to town
To court a fair young lady.
When I inquired about her name,
Her name was Devilish Mary.

[Chorus:]
Come fa la ling come, ling come,
Fa la ling come, day.
Fa la ling come, ling come,
Fa la ling come, day.

When me and Mary began to spark,
She got in a hurry,
Made it all up in her mind,
She'd marry me next Thursday.

[Chorus]

Hadn't been married for about two weeks,
Before we oughta been parted.
Hadn't said one single word,
She'd kicked up her heels and started.

[Chorus]

One day I said to Mary,
"Think we ought to be parted."
And just as soon as I said the word,
She packed all her clothes and started.

[Chorus]

She washed my clothes in old soap suds,
And filled up my bathtub with switches.
She let me know right from the start
She was gonna wear my britches.

[Chorus]

Now if I ever marry again,
It'll be for love not riches.
Marry a little girl about two feet high,
And she can't wear my britches.

[Chorus]