Classic Poem

Oh, when I was single, oh then, oh then!
Oh, when I was single, oh then!
Oh, when I was single my pockets did jingle,
And I wish I were single again.

I married me a wife, oh, then, oh then!
I married me a wife, oh then!
I married me a wife, and she led me a life,
And I wish I were single again.

My wife she took fever, oh then, oh then!
My wife took fever, oh then!
My wife took fever, and the fever wouldn't leave her,
And I wish I were single again.

My wife she died, oh then, oh then!
My wife she died, oh then!
My wife she died, and I laughed till I cried,
To think I was single again.

I went for a shroud, oh then, oh then!
I went for a shroud, oh then!
I went for a shroud, and I laughed right out loud,
So glad I was single again.

I went for a coffin, oh then, oh then!
I went for a coffin, oh then!
I went for a coffin, and nearly died laughing,
So glad I was single again.

I went to her grave, oh then, oh then!
I went to her grave, oh then!
I went to her grave, but I couldn't behave,--
It was peep, peep this a-way,
And peep, peep that a-way--

I was so happy I was single again.

I married me another, oh then, oh then!
I married me another, oh then!
I married me another, the devil's stepmother,
And I wish I were single again.

She beat me, she banged, oh then, oh then!
She beat me, she banged me, oh then!
She beat me, she banged me, she swore she would hang me,
And I wish I were single again.

She went for the rope, oh then, oh then!
She went for the rope, oh then!
She went for the rope my neck for to choke,
And I wish I were single again.

I killed my wife, oh then, oh then!
I killed my wife, oh then!
I killed my wife with a Barlow knife,
And then I was single again.

Oh, boys, take warning by me, by me!
Oh, boys, take warning by me!
The first one is bad, but the second is worse,
Whenever you cannot agree.