Fare Thee Well

1. If I had wings like Noah’s dove
I’d fly the river to the man I love
Fare thee well, my honey, fare thee well

2. I’ve got a man, and he’s long and tall
Moves his body like a cannon ball
Fare thee well, my honey, fare thee well

3. One of these days and it won’t be long
Call my name and I’ll be gone
Fare thee well, my honey, fare thee well

4. I remember one night, a drizzling rain
Round my heart I felt a pain
Fare thee well, my honey, fare thee well

5. When I wore my aprons low
Couldn’t keep you from my do’
Fare thee well, my honey, fare thee well

6. Now I wear my aprons high
Scarcely ever see you passing by
Fare thee well, my honey, fare thee well

7. Now my apron’s up to my chin
You pass my door and you won’t come in
Fare thee well, my honey, fare thee well

8. If I had listened to what my mama said
I’d be at home in my mama’s bed
Fare thee well, my honey, fare thee well



In 1909, John Lomax found an African-American woman called Dink singing this in a migrant camp near Houston.  It’s often referred to now as “Dink’s Song”.  The story of a woman deserted by her lover when she needs him the most, it’s been played by Pete Seeger, Fred Neil, Bob Dylan, Dave Van Ronk, Kate & Anna McGarrigle and many others.  It’s even been sung on an episode of the TV show, “Supernatural”.