Poor Man's Daughter [German translation]

All my life I’ve been a poor man’s daughter

All my life I’ve had a poor girl’s hand

Till the day came that I was promised

For my beauty to a rich young man

Days they passed and nights they followed

Till the day came that I should go

Off in my ragged skirts for the last time

To my wedding down in Mexico

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

Fast the horses raced with my carriage

All the 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

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

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