“The Sporting Bachelors”

Description

"Come all you sportin' bachelors, take warning by me." The singer warns of a fast life and of marriage. His wife dresses him in rags, and makes him work constantly so she may live well. He hopes she dies so he may again be free.

Notes

Roud lumps this with "Scolding Wife (IV)," and I cannot deny the close similarity in themes. But the two appear somewhat different in both form and emphasis. - RBW

Cross references

Recordings

  • [G. B.] Grayson & [Henry] Whitter, "Never Be as Fast as I Have Been" (Victor 23565, 1929; on GraysonWhitter01)
  • Buell Kazee, "Sporting Bachelors" (Brunswick 157, 1927; Supertone S-2082, 1930; on KMM)
  • New Lost City Ramblers, "Never Be as Fast as I Have Been" (on NLCR14)

References

  1. Wyman-Brockway II, p. 46, "Sporting Bachelors" (1 text, 1 tune)
  2. Lomax-FSUSA 14, "The Sporting Bachelors" (1 text, 1 tune)
  3. DT, SPORTBCH*
  4. Roud #5556
  5. BI, LxU014

About

Author: unknown
Earliest date: 1920
Found in: US(Ap)