A vvomans vvork is never done Here is a song for maids to sing, both in the winter and the spring; it is such a pretty conceited thing, which will much pleasure to them bring. Maids may sit still, go, or run, but a womans work is never done. To a delicate northern tune, A womans work is never done, or, The beds making.

A VVomans VVork is never done Here is a Song for Maids to sing , Both in the Winter and the Spring ; It is such a pretty conceited thing , Which will much pleasure to them bring . Maids may sit still , go , or run , But a Womans work is never done . To a delicate Northern Tune , A Womans work is never done , Or , The Beds making .

AS I was wandring on the way , I heard a married Woman say , That she had lived a sollid life , Ever since the time that she was made a wife . For why ( quoth she ) my L●bor is hard , And all my pleasures are debarr'd : Both Morning , Evening-Night and Noon , I 'm sure a Womans work is never done . And now ( quoth she ) I will relate , The manner of my woful Fate ; And how my self I do bestow , As all my Neighbours well do know : And therein all that will it hear , Vnto my song I pray a while give ear ; I le make it plainly to appear right soon , How that a Womans work is never done . For when that I rise up early in the morn , Before that I my head with dressings adorn , I swéep & cleanse the house as néed doth require Or if that it be cold , I make a fire : Then my Husbands breakfast I must dress , To fill his belly with some wholesom mess ; Perhaps thereof I eat a little or none , But I 'm sure a Womans work is never done . Next thing that I in order do , My children must be lookt unto ; Then I take them from their naked beds , To put on their clothes and comb their heads : And then what hay soever do beside , Their breakfast straight I must provide . Bread cries my Daughter , and drink my Son , And thus a Womans work is never done . And when that I have fill'd their bellies full , Some of them I pack away to School , All save one sucking Childe , that at my brest Doth knaw and bite , and sorely me molest : But when I have laid him down to sleep , I am constrain'd the house to keep , For then the Pottage-pot I must hang on , And thus a Womans work is never done .

The second Part to the same Tune .

ANd when my pottage-pot is ready to hoil , I must be careful all the while ; And for to scum the Pot is my desire , Or else all the fat will run i' th fire . But when th' leven a clock bell it doth chime , Then I know 't is near upon dinner time : To lay the Table-cloth I then do run , And thus a Womans work is never done . When dinner time is gone and over-past , My Husband he runs out o' th doors in haste ; He scarce gives me a kiss for all that I Have dealt and done to him so lovingly . Which sometimes grieves me to the heart , To see him so clownishly depart : But to my first Discourse let me go on , To shew a Womans work is never done . There 's never a day from morn to night , But I with work am tired quite ; For when the game with me is at the best , I hardly in a day take one hours rest : Sometimes I knit , and sometimes I spin , Sometimes I wash , and sometimes I do wring , Sometimes I sit and sowe by my self alone , And thus a Womans work is never done . In making of the Beds such pains I take , Vntil my back , and sides , and arms do ake ; And yet my Husband deals so cruelly , That he but seldom comes to comfort me . And then at night when the clock strikes nine My Husband he will say , 't is supper time ; Then presently he must be waited upon , And thus a Womans work is never done . When Supper 's ended to bed we must go , You all do know 't is sitting it should be so : then do I think to settle all things right , In hope that I shall take some test by night . The biggest of my Children together I lay , And place them by degrees so well as I may : But yet there is a thing to be thought upon , For why a Womans work is never done . Then if my Husband turns me to the wall , Then my sucking Childe will cry and brawl , Sir or seven times for the brest t' will cry , And then I pray you judge what rest take I. And if at any time a sleep I be , Perchance my Husband wakes , & then wakes me ; Then he does that to me which I cannot shun , Yet I could with that Work were oftner done . All you merry Girles that hear this Ditty , Both in the Countrey , and in the City ; Take good notice of my Lines I pray , And make the use of the time you may : You see that Maids live more merrier lives , Then do the best of married Wives : And thus to end my Song as I begun , You know a Womans work is never done .