When I was single, oh then,
When I was single, oh then,
When I was single my money would jingle
An' I wish I was single again.

I married a wife, oh then,
I married a wife, oh then,
I married a wife, she's the plague of my live,
An' I wish I was single again.

She beats me, she bangs me, oh then,
She beats me, she bangs me, oh then,
She beats me, she bangs me, an' swears she will hang me,
An' I wish I was single again.

My wife she died, oh then,
My wife she died, oh then,
My wife she died, an' I laughed till I cried,
To think I was single again.

I bought her a coffin, oh then,
I bought her a coffin, oh then,
I bought her a coffin, an' I couldn't stop laughin',
To think I was single again.

I went for a shroud, oh then,
I went for a shroud, oh then,
I went for a shroud, a-walkin' so proud,
Because I was single again.

I married me another, oh then,
I married me another, oh then,
I married me another, she's worse than the other,
An' I wish I was single again.

abc | midi | pdf

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Source: Randoph V, 1982, Ozark Folksongs, University of Illinois

Notes:
Collected by Vance Randolph from Lottie Chapman, Anderson Mo, Apr 2, 1928

Roud: 437 (Search Roud index at VWML) Take Six
Laws:
Child: