I had me a wife, I had me some daughters
I tried so hard, I never knew still waters
Nothing to eat and nothing to drink
Nothing for a man to do but sit around and think
Nothing for a man to do but sit around and think

Well, I'm a thinkin' and thinkin', till there's nothin' I ain't thunk
Breathing in the stink, till finally I stunk
It was at that time, I swear I lost my mind
I started making plans to kill my own kind
I started making plans to kill my own kind

Come little daughter, I said to the youngest one,
Put your coat on, well have some fun
Well go out to mountains, the one to explore
Her face then lit up, I was standing by the door
Her face then lit up, I was standing by the door

Come little daughter, I will carry the lanterns
Well go out tonight, well go to the caverns
Well go out tonight, well go to the caves
Kiss your mother goodnight and remember that God saves
Kiss your mother goodnight and remember that God saves

A led her to a hole, a deep black well
I said make a wish, make sure and not tell and
Close your eyes dear, and count to seven
You know your papa loves you, good children go to heaven
You know your papa loves you, good children go to heaven

I gave her a push, I gave her a shove
I pushed with all my might, I pushed with all my love
I through my child into a bottomless pit
She was screaming as she fell, but I never heard her hit
She was screaming as she fell, but I never heard her hit

Gather round boys to this tale that I tell
You wanna know how to take a short trip to hell?
Its guaranteed to get your own place in hell
Just take your lovely daughter and push her in the well
Take your lovely daughter and throw her in the well

Don't speak to me of lovers, with a broken heart
You wanna know what can really tear you apart?
I'm going out to the barn, will I never stop in pain?
I'm going out to the barn, to hang myself in shame

Violent Femmes cover, from their 1984 album, "Hallowed Ground." The song is based on a true story from an 1862 news article.