[Verse 1]
Was there ever a winter so cold and so bare?
The river too weary to flood
The storm and the wind cut through to my skin
She cut through to my blood

[Verse 2]
Oh, I was looking for trouble to tangle my line
Trouble came looking for me
I knew I was standing on treacherous ground
Sinking too fast to run free

[Chorus]
With her scheming, idle ways
She left me poor enough
The storm and the wind cut through to my skin
She cut through to my blood

[Verse 3]
I would not be asking, I would not be seen
Begging on mountain nor hill
But I'm ready and blind with my hands tied behind
I've neither a mind nor a will

[Chorus]
With her scheming, idlе ways
She left me poor еnough
The storm and the wind cut through to my skin
She cut through to my blood
[Verse 4]
Oh, it's bitter the need of the poor ditching boy
He'll always believe what they say
They tell him it's hard to be honest and true
Does he mind if he doesn't get paid?

[Chorus]
With her scheming, idle ways
She left me poor enough
The storm and the wind cut through to my skin
She cut through to my blood