“Married and Single Life”

Description

Singer warns young people of the perils of marriage, tells them to wait until age 21, and be sure of their sweethearts. "When a man's married he ain't his own man... But when a man's single he can live at his ease..."

Long description

Singer warns young people (mostly men) of the perils of marriage, tells them to wait until age 21, and be sure of their sweethearts, who can be deceitful. "When a man's married he ain't his own man...For selling his freedom to buy him a wife...But when a man's single he can live at his ease...he can rove through the country and live at his will/Kiss Polly, kiss Betsy, and he is the same still." He offers healths to the single and married alike

Notes

This has parallel content to a lot of other "stay single" songs, but it's separate nonetheless. - PJS

Cross references

References

  1. SharpAp 73, "Married and Single Life" (1 text, 1 tune)
  2. DT, MARRSING
  3. BI, ShrAp73

About

Author: unknown
Earliest date: 1916 (Cecil Sharp collection)
Found in: US(Ap)