When first I came to town
They called me the roving jewel
Now they've changed their tune
They call me Katy Cruel
Come, diddle'm day
Oh, little li-o-day

Oh, that I was what I would be
There to be where I am, not
Here am I, where I must be
Go where I would, I cannot
Come, diddle'm day
Oh, little li-o-day

When I was young and twenty
They brought me the bottles plenty
Now they've changed their tune
They bring me the bottles empty
Come, diddle'm day
Oh, little li-o-day

Oh, that I was what I would be
There to be where I am, not
Here am I, where I must be
Go where I would, I cannot
Come, diddle'm day
Oh, little li-o-day

Well, down the road I'll go
And through the boggy mire
Straightway cross the fields
And to my heart's desire
Come, diddle'm day
Oh, little li-o-day

Oh, that I was what I would be
There to be where I am, not
Here am I, where I must be
Go where I would, I cannot
Come, diddle'm day
Oh, little li-o-day