Your place is by my side, my dear,
A-holding of my hand
When I am feeling rather queer
And hard to understand;
Not 'mid that fierce forensic crew
Who argue in the courts;
But doing all that you can do
When I am out of sorts.

To me it all seems very clear:
Yours to submit and bow;
Mine to command and domineer.
Your place is by my side, my dear,
A-stroking of my brow,
Consoling me for all my ills
My proud position brings.
The while you find vicarious thrills
Midst all the humbler things.

Your place is by my side, my sweet;
For you, so weak and frail,
Must bear the burden and the heat
Of troubles that assail
The lord and master moaning here;
You may not toil alone,
But ever by my side, my dear,
To soothe me when I moan.

To me it all seems very plain:
While I am strong, I'm free.
But when I feel a little pain
Your place is by my side again
To calm and comfort me.
But if you went out on your own,
And left me in my pride,
What could I do, dear, all alone?
Your place is at my side.