English Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians

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	No. 73
	Married and Single Life

	2 If you go to get married', don't hasten it on, And don't you get married till you're full twenty-one; And don't you get married till you find your love set, Then marry some good girl your love won't forget. 3 Come all you young gentlemen who want to be smart, Don't place your affections on a smiling sweetheart. She's dancing before you some favours to gain, Then turns her back on you with scorn and disdain. 4 When a man's married he ain't his own man, He must rove through the country and live as he can. He's lost that sweet apparel, the flowers of life, For selling his freedom to buy him a wife. 5 But when a man's single he can live at his ease, He can rove through the country and do as he please; He can rove through the country and live at his will, Kiss Polly, kiss Betsy, and he is the same still. 6 Just pour out another bowl, boys, we'll drink bumpers round. We'll drink to the poorest, if they're to be found ; We'll drink to the single with the greatest success, Likewise to the married and wish them no less.
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