In Burnham Town there lived a man

And he had such a lovely wife

And so dearly she loved bad company

So dearly she loved her life boys life

So dearly she loved her life

So this poor man he goes to sea

A living for to get

If he spent one penny his wife spent two

And it's all for the want of wit boys wit

And it's all for the want of wit

When this poor man came home from sea

It being late in the night

Enquiring for his own dear wife

She was his joy and heart's delight

Boys oh his light

Oh she was his heart's delight

Oh she's just gone down to her sister's

Shall I go fetch her in

Then he begun to think Oh no

I'll go meself to drink boys drink

I'll go meself to drink

So As he was going down the road

He heard such a dismal noise

And who should it be but his own dear wife

Along with the Burnham boys brave boys

Along with the Burnham boys

This poor man stood a-thinking

And his heart was nearly broke

Then he went back and he fetched the maid

While he prepared a rope a rope

While he prepared a rope

Then she came a-skipping and a-jumping in

Gave him such a joyful kiss

Saying You're welcome home kind husband dear

Long time you have been missed me boys

Long time you have been missed

So we'll bar the door so neat and snug

And let us go to bed

For the pain that do lay in my breast

Oh it can no longer wait me boys

Oh it can no longer wait

Then he took a stick and he beat her

Till she was wonderful sore

Forbear she cried O husband dear

And I'll never do that no more no more

And I'll never do that no more

Oh if you do I'll make you rue

And curse the day you were born

For a cuckolding of your husband dear

I'll make you wear the horn me boy

Oh I'll make you wear the horn

So all you women in Burnham

Come listen unto me

And don't you spend your money on waste

When your husband is out on the sea me boys

When your husband is out on the sea