Cat. #0758 (MFH #703) - As sung by Ollie Gilbert, Mountain View, Arkansas on May 26, 1969
VERSE 1
Come all you rough an' rowdy boys,
Com list'n to me
Don't place you reflection
On a green grow'n tree
For th leaves they will wilter
Th roots will decay
An' th beauty of a fair girl
Soon fade away
VERSE 2
When you are a single
Live at your ease
You c'n go when you get ready
Return when you may
You can smile an kiss Molly, boys,
Be single still
VERSE 3
When you go a courting
Don't hasten like some
Be sure don't marry
Till ya full twenty-one
Be sure you don't marry
Till ya love done an' gay
Go get you a good girl
Love won't forget
VERSE 4
For when you are married, boy
You done off your life
You spent all your sweet comfort
T' buy you a wife
Spent all your sweet comfort, boys
T' buy you a wife
VERSE 5
When you step aside
Speak to a friend
Your wife's at your elbow
Saying, what do this mean
She'll snurl 'er nose up at you
Her face looks like, sad news
Tell you by experience boys,
Such a life to endure