1

Both sexes give ear to my fancy,
In praise of sweet woman I sing,
Confined not to Doll, Sue, or Nancy,
The mate of the beggar or king.
When Adam was first a-created,
And lord of the universe crown'd,
His happiness was not completed,
Until that a helpmate was found.

2

A garden was planted by Nature,
Man could not produce in his life,
But no rest had he till his Creator
Discovered he wanted a wife.
He had horses and foxes for hunting
Which most men love dearly as life,
No relishsome food was a wanting
But still—he was short of a wife.

3

As Adam was resting in slumber,
He lost a small rib from his side,
And when he awoke—'twas in wonder,
To see a most beautiful bride.
In transport he gazÈd upon her,
His happiness now was complete.
He praisÈd the bountiful Donor,
Who to him had given a mate.

4

She was not taken out of his head, sir,
To rule and to triumph in man.
Nor was she took out of his foot, sir,
By him to be trampled upon.
But she was took out of his side, sir,
His equal co-partner to be;
So, united is man with his bride, sir,
Yet man is the top of the tree.

5

Then let not the fair be despisÈd
By man, as she's part of himself.
Let woman by man be a-prizÈd
As more than the world full of wealth.
A man without woman's a beggar,
Tho' by him the world were possess'd
But a beggar that's got a good woman
With more than the world is he bless'd.