[Verse 1] All my life I’ve been a poor man’s daughter All my life I’ve had a poor girl’s hand ’Til the day came that I was promised For my beauty to a rich young man Days they passed and nights they followed ’Til the day came that I should go Off in my ragged skirts for the last time To my wedding down in Mexico [Verse 2] All my life I’ve been a poor man’s daughter Never have I known a day of rest On my journey to my rich young bridegroom How my heart it beat within my breast I was born a poor man’s daughter I’ve been a ragamuffin all my life Long white dresses lace and flowers Oh I’ll be happy as a rich man’s wife [Verse 3] Fast thе horses raced with my carriage All thе faster beat my heart To my lover and my marriage Then my carriage gave a lurch and stopped How I paced and how I waited How I wanted to continue on How I hated for to waste one hour In that dirty little border town [Verse 4] Men have said that women are fickle Changeable as birds in flight Men have said that women are fickle And I think perhaps that men are right Strong and handsome was the one who helped me Right my carriage and get on my way Strong and handsome and poor the stranger I have loved ever since that day [Verse 5] I arrived at my bridegroom’s door I pulled his hair and I kicked his knee Dirtied my face and I wore no shoes Oh no fine gentleman shall marry me Now my carriage is turned around On the Mexican border I’ll live my life I was born a poor man’s daughter I’ll be happy as a poor man’s wife