A fair young maid went down the street 
Some fresh fish for to buy 
And a bonnie young clerk fell in love with her 
And he followed her by and by 

How will I get to your chamber love 
How will I get to your bed 
When your father he locks the door at night 
And the keys lie under his sleepy head 

Get a ladder newly made 
Both forty steps and three 
And put it against the chimney top 
Come down in a creel to me 

They hadn't been there five minutes or more 
When the old one said below 
There's more than one in my daughter's bed 
And it's up the stairs I lightly go 

The old one took a peep inside 
To see if it be true 
When her foot gave a shot to the chamber pot 
And into the creel she flew 

Rise up and help me, husband dear 
You hear me scream and yell 
For the devil has got me in his cart 
And fear I'll go to a fiery hell 

Hold your tongue you daft old wife 
Or ill death may be thine 
For between yourself and your daughter dear 
It's time for the sun to rise and shine