Standard (EADGBE)

Ver1: An old man came courting me, hey-ding-a doo-rum

An old man came courting me, me being young

An old man came courting me, all for his wife to be

Maids, when you're young, never wed an old man

Ch: For he's got no fal-doo-rum-dah fal-diddle oo-doo

He's got no fal-doo-rum-dah fal-diddle-day

He's got no fal-doo-rum-dah, lost his ding doo-re-um

Maids, when you're young, never wed an old man

Ver2: When this old man comes to bed, hey-ding-a doo-rum

When this old man comes to bed, me being young

When this old man comes to bed, he lays like he was dead

Maids, when you're young, never wed an old man

Chorus

Ver3: When this old man goes to sleep, hey-ding-a doo-rum

When this old man goes to sleep, me being young

When this old man goes to sleep, out of bed I do creep

Into the arms of a handsome young man

Chorus

Ver4: I wish this old man would die, hey-ding-a doo-rum

I wish this old man would die, me being young

I wish this old man would die, I'd make the money fly

Girls, for your sake, never wed an old man

Chorus

Ver5: A young man is my delight, hey-ding-a doo-rum

A young man is my delight, me being young

A young man is my delight, he'll kiss you day and night

Maids, when you're young, never wed an old man