“I Wish I Were Single Again (II - Female)”

Description

The wife complains of the troubles of matrimony. When first her husband courted her, all was kindness, but now it's nothing but work and care for the children and try to stay out of trouble. She says, "I hope I shall be hanged if I ever love again."

Notes

Characterized by a stanza format something like this:

Once I was single and lived at my ease,

But now I am married with a husband to please,

Four young children to maintain;

Oh how I wish I were single again! - RBW

Cross references

• cf. "I Wish I Were a Single Girl Again"
• cf. "Single Girl, Married Girl"
• cf. "When I Was Young (II)" (theme)
• cf. "For Seven Long Years I've Been Married" (theme)

Recordings

• Margaret MacArthur, "Single Again" (on MMacArthur01)

References

1. Eddy 70, "How I Wish I Was Single Again" (1 text, 1 tune)
2. Randolph 366, "A Married Woman's Lament" (1 text, 1 tune)
3. Spaeth-ReadWeep, pp. 26-27, "A Married Woman's Lament" (1 text, 1 tune, with the unrelated "The Sorrow of Marriage" in an appendix"
4. DT, SNGLGRL2*
5. Roud #436
6. BI, E070