| Author | Topic: Add: I wish I was Single Again | |
| dmcg | Posted - 29 Jun 03 - 07:58 am | |
I wish I were Single Again 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. Source: Randolph V, 1982, Ozark Folksongs, University of Illinois Notes: Collected by Vance Randolph from Lottie Chapman, Anderson Mo, Apr 2, 1928 Database entry is here. | ||
| IanC | Posted - 30 Jun 03 - 10:49 am | |
Stationers Company Records, July 1558: "a ballett of a man that wolde be unmaryed agayne" ;-) | ||
| IanC | Posted - 30 Jun 03 - 11:26 am | |
Note also that the two broadside versions in the Bodleian are not the same song (though there are some similarities), and they are written from the female perspective. :-) | ||
| IanC | Posted - 30 Jun 03 - 02:17 pm | |
Apparently, this version written 1871 by James Cox Beckel (b. 1811). Quite a well known songwriter, so I'll keep looking for a further reference. :-) | ||
| dmcg | Posted - 30 Jun 03 - 02:21 pm | |
Thanks for the research, Ian | ||
| Malcolm Douglas |
Posted - 30 Jun 03 - 04:51 pm | |
Roud 437. I haven't come across Beckel, but an earlier form of the song can be seen at the Bodleian: The First Wife the Best Several songs seem to have been made, or re-made, on that model for the Music Halls; another from the woman's perspective, for example, appeared around 1850 in 120 Comic Songs sung by Sam Cowell, beginning: When I was a maid, O then, O then, When I was a maid, O then, As many bright stars as appear in the sky, So many lovers were caught by my eye, But I was a beauty then, O then, But I was a beauty then. It may be that the woman's song is the earlier and the man's an answer to, or parody of it. At all events, both have proved popular and durable, though the form here has probably been found most often. | ||
| Leadfingers | Posted - 30 Jun 03 - 08:39 pm | |
I have a couple of extra verses if they are of any interest. I am afraid I cannot quote any traditional source for these,and cant even remember where I stole the song as it was so long ago. My wife caught a fever Oh Then I Prayed it wouldnt leave her I went to her wake Oh Then But not for her sake But to view the young women again And a last line - I Married another The Devils Grandmother And I wish I was single again | ||