The Max Hunter Folksong Collection

When I Was Single

Cat. #0014 (MFH #671) - As sung by Mr. Fank Pool, Fayetteville, Arkansas on January 6, 1958

VERSE 1
O, when I was single, my pockets did jingle
An' I wished that I was single again

VERSE 2
Well, I married me a wife, o then, o then
I married me a wife, o then
I married me a wife an' she's the pest of my life
And I wished that I was single again

VERSE 3
Well, my wife took a fever, o then, o then
My wife took a fever, o then
My wife took a fever and I swore that I'd leave her
And I wished that I was single again

VERSE 4
Well, I wish I was single again, again
And I wish I was single again
For when I was single, my pockets did jingle
And I wished that I was single again

VERSE 5
My wife, she died, o then, o then
My wife, she died, o then
My wife, she died an' I laughed till I cried
To think that I was single again

VERSE 6
Well, I wish I was single again, again
And I wish I was single again
For when I was single, my pockets did jingle
And I wished that I was single again

VERSE 7
Well, I married me another, o then, o then
I married me another, o then
I married me another an' she's th devils grandmother
And I wished I was single again

VERSE 8
Well, I wish I was single again, again
And I wish I was single again
For when I was single, my pockets did jingle
And I wished that I was single again

VERSE 9
She beat me, she banged me, o then, o then
She beat me, she banged me, o then
She beat me, she banged me, she threatened to hang me
And I wished that I was single again

VARIANTS:
0263 I Wish I Was Single Again
0385 I Wish I Was Single Again
0819 I Wish I Was Single Again
1027 When You and I Were Single
1369 I Wish I Was Single Again

OTHER COLLECTIONS:
Randolph: III-365 I Wish I Was Single Again
Belden: p. 437 When I Was Single
Brown: III-37 When I Was Single


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