Cat. #0753 (MFH #257) - As sung by Ollie Gilbert, Mountain View, Arkansas on May 26, 1969
VERSE 1
There was an ole woman in Ireland
In Ireland she did dwell
She loved 'er ole man dear enough
But another man twice't as well
O dear, dear, what ails me
What's th matter now
VERSE 2
She went to th doctor,
To see if she could find
Some medicene or ruther
T' make 'er ole man bling
O dear, dear, what ails me
Tell me now what ails me
What's th matter now
VERSE 3
She got th marr'r out'a six bones
She made 'im eat it all
Says, my dearest dear,
I cannot see at all
O dear, dear, what ails me
Tell me now what ails me
What's th matter now
VERSE 4
He says, I would drown myself
If I could find th way
She says, I'll go along with you
For fear you go astray
O dear, dear, what ails me
Tell me now what ails me
What's th matter now
VERSE 5
They walked along together
Till they came t' th rivers shore
He says, I won't drown myself
Unless you push me o'er
O dear, dear, what ails me
What's th matter now
VERSE 6
She stepped back a step 'er two
T' make a sudden spring
He stepped back a step 'er two
N' she went head-long in
O dear, dear, what ails me
Tell me now what ails me
What's th matter now
VERSE 7
She hollered for help
As loud as she could squall
Said, my dearest dear,
I cannot see at all
O dear, dear, what ails me
Tell me now what ails me
What's the matter now
VERSE 8
The ole man be'n kind hearted
An' 'fraid that she could swim
Got a great long pole
An' pushed 'er way out in
O dear, dear, what ails me
Tell me now what ails me
What's th matter now