Well, her face looked pretty in the candle light
And, the boy he thought that it was only right
To ask that girl to be his wife
If they could be wed
Well, his ma, she could not understand
How the boy she'd loved had now become a man
But, his daddy knew that he could remember when
So, he called the boy and he said...
Tell me what you gonna do when the well runs dry?
What you gonna do when her babies cry?
What you gonna do when the lightning strikes?
He said, I'll turn right around and I'll love her
Well, his ma, she said "Well, if you love her true
Talk to the preacher; let him counsel you
'Cause that girl's just forward enough to
Betray you with a kiss!
Well, the good brother quietly smiled
He said, "I've known you now for such a while
And, not long ago, well you were just a child
Are you ready for this?"
Tell me what you gonna do when the well runs dry?
What you gonna do when her babies cry?
What you gonna do when the lightning strikes?
He said, I'll turn right around and I'll love her
So, he said to the boy, "Well I guess you must
Talk to her daddy. He's a good man, but
He'll be hard as nails until you win his trust
May the good Lord bless you!
So, her dad took a long draw on his pipe
Was it smoke that clouded up his eyes
When he tested the suiter to see if he were wise
By asking him these questions?
Tell me what you gonna do when the well runs dry?
What you gonna do when her babies cry?
What you gonna do when the lightning strikes?
He said, I'll turn right around and I'll love her
Well, you may have my daughter's hand
And a fifty acre plot of land
But, you must work it well. Yes, you must be a man.
And if you can, I'll give her to you
So, he asked his lover if she'd take his name
If she'd bear his children... "Yes!" she sang.
But, when troubles come and visit down our lane
What do you think you're gonna do?
Well, I'm gonna love you when the well runs dry
I'm gonna love you when your babies cry
I'm gonna love you when the lightning strikes
I'll turn right around and I'll love you
I'll turn right around and I'll love you