D                        A          D
All my life, I've been a poor man's daughter
D                       A           D
All my life, I've had a poor girl's hand
D                      A     D
'Til the day came that I was promised
D                  A          D
For my beauty to a rich young man
D                     A            D
Days, they passed and nights, they followed
D                      G        A
'Til the day came that I should go
D                A               D
Off in my ragged skirts for the last time
D                     A   D
To my wedding down in Mexico


[Verse 2]
D                        A          D
All my life, I've been a poor man's daughter
D                    A      D
Never have I known a day of rest
D                   A          D
On my journey to my rich young bridegroom
D                         A      D
How my heart, it beat within my breast
D            A          D
I was born a poor man's daughter
D                      G      A
I've been a ragamuffin all my life
D                   A        D
Long white dresses, lace and flowers
     D                 A          D
Oh, I'll be happy as a rich man's wife


[Verse 3]
D                A            D
Fast thе horses raced with my carriage
D               A       D
All thе faster beat my heart
D           A       D
To my lover and my marriage
D                        A         D
Then my carriage gave a lurch and stopped
D               A     D
How I paced and how I waited
D               G        A
How I wanted to continue on
D                   A         D
How I hated for to waste one hour
D                     A      D
In that dirty little border town


[Verse 4]
D                   A         D
Men have said that women are fickle
D              A        D
Changeable as birds in flight
D                  A          D
Men have said that women are fickle
D                        A        D
And I think perhaps that men are right
D                           A       D
Strong and handsome was the one who helped me
D                         G     A
Right my carriage and get on my way
D                       A          D
Strong and handsome and poor, the stranger
D                 A          D
I have loved ever since that day


[Verse 5]
D               A            D
I arrived at my bridegroom's door
D                       A           D
I pulled his hair and I kicked his knee
D                     A        D
Dirtied my face and I wore no shoes
D                           A     D
Oh, no fine gentleman shall marry me
D                  A        D
Now my carriage is turned around
D                           G       A
On the Mexican border, I'll live my life
D            A          D
I was born a poor man's daughter
D                  A          D
I'll be happy as a poor man's wife