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Of all the pleasures in this world, the dearest one in life,
When a man knows he's got a clean and tidy wife;
His house is like a palace so he may never roam,
For a clean and tidy wife makes a true and happy home.
With a big roaring fire, a kettle on to boil,
Makes a man feel happy when he's done his daily toil;
With a smiling tidy wife and a clean hearthstone,
Very, very cozy when a man comes home.
Now, what man can be happier when his day's work is done,
To meet his wife with kindly smiles and to see the children run;
The air seems full of music but their voices seem to ring,
While the merry kettle on the hearth with gladness seems to sing.
With a big roaring fire, a kettle on to boil,
Makes a man feel happy when he's done his daily toil;
With a smiling tidy wife and a clean hearthstone,
Very, very cozy when a man comes home.
Some people think it's jolly, a single life to lead,
It's only just for talking's sake, but that I'll never heed;
A single life it's very good, it might be gay and free,
But the comforts of a married life are just the ones for me.
With a big roaring fire, a kettle on to boil,
Makes a man feel happy when he's done his daily toil;
With a smiling tidy wife and a clean hearthstone,
Very, very cozy when a man comes home.
Sung by Jim Rice (1879-1958) of Cape Broyle, NL, and published in MacEdward Leach And The Songs Of Atlantic Canada © 2004 Memorial University of Newfoundland Folklore and Language Archive (MUNFLA).
