I have a babe but shall I keep him

'Twill come the day when I'll be weepin'

But how can I love him any less

This little babe upon my breast

You can take my body

You can take my bones

You can take my blood

But not my soul

You can take my body

You can take my bones

You can take my blood

But not my soul

I've got a body dark and strong

I was young but not for long

You took me to bed a little girl

Left me in a woman's world

You can take my body

You can take my bones

You can take my blood

But not my soul

You can take my body

You can take my bones

You can take my blood

But not my soul

Day by day I work the line

Every minute overtime

Fingers nimble fingers quick

My fingers bleed to make you rich

You can take my body

You can take my bones

You can take my blood

But not my soul

You can take my body

You can take my bones

You can take my blood

But not my soul

You can take my body

You can take my bones

You can take my blood

But not my soul

You can take my body

You can take my bones

You can take my blood

But not my soul

I have a babe but shall I keep him