As I roved out near Chester city
In the dark all late at night
Who should I see but a fair young maiden
Washing her clothes by the fair moon light

Madam, I'm a darling, a di ro, a dither o
Madam, I’m a darling, a di ro dae

First she washed them, then she squeezed them
And then she hung them out to dry
Then she folded up her arms
Saying what a nice, young man am I

Madam, I'm a darling, a di ro, a dither o
Madam, I'm a darling, a di ro dae

Going to the well for a pale of water
Fetching it home for to make some tea
She fell under, I fell over
All the game was above her knee

Madam, I’m a darling, a di ro, a dither o
Madam, I'm a darling, a di ro dae

Madam, I will tie your garter
And I will tie it above your knee
And if you like I'll tie it up further
Madam, I'm a darling, a di ro de
Madam, I'm a darling, a di ro, a dither o
Madam, I'm a darling, a di ro dae

Have you ever heard of cups and saucers
Rattlin' in an auld tin can?
Have you ever heard of a fair, young maiden
Married to an ugly, gray old man?

Madam, I'm a darling, a di ro, a dither o
Madam, I’m a darling, a di ro dae

Madam, you have gold and silver
And madam, you have tracks of land
Madam you have ships on the ocean
All you need is a fine, young man

Madam, I’m a darling, a di ro, a dither o
Madam, I'm a darling, a di ro dae