One Charley Bartlow was then young and gay, Kind hearted, cheerful, nice to old and young; His voice and heart were tuned up night and day; And to this crowd most willingly was sung. Many the quaint and jolly songs he knew; He loved to sing; folks loved to hear him too. “Susanna” first he sang for them that night; The way they listened told that it was sweet; He sang with all his soul and all his might, And they rewarded him for his rare treat; They cheered him back; and he responded then With one, his favorite lay--this old time gem:-- “WHEN I WAS SINGLE” I. When a young chap I was jolly and gay; Not a lark was as merry as I; I whistled and sang both night and day; And the hours in pleasure swung by. No parties or dances for miles around But what I attended with glee; And wherever I frolicked the girls me found And chatted and flirted with me. Chorus. But I was still single then! O that I were single again! For when I was single With the world I could mingle: O that I were single again! II. Of no cares I knew and the days passed fair, And the nights like a laugh and a song; Toil left me no pain and cash scarce, ne’er. As I moved in the young gay throng. I never had trouble to find a miss To accompany me to the ball; My greatest concern always lay in this; That I could not wait on them all. Chorus: But I was, etc. III. But one time a lass at a ball I met Who gave me an ache in my heart. I took her to church and made her my pet, And out on life’s journey did start. We have been married now for years one score; I must work from morning till night; Six babes come to meet me at our door, And our living puts me to fright. Chorus. O that I were single again! O how I should whistle then! For when I was single The money did gingle. O that I were single again! IV. But now my pockets are empty and bare; And the girls never smile at me; My poor heart is overburdened with care; And the world yields a pitiless fee. So boys meditate on my sad plight; Don’t tie up your gay hearts too soon, Do treat the girls with respect and delight; But just let them giggle and spoon. Chorus: O that I were, etc. This sure delighted them. How they did cheer! The sentiment was light; the tune was gay. Such airy ditties people like to hear, And with such happy veins are borne away. ’Twas ever so; the human heart, ’tho staid, Bends willingly to levity thus made. The other singer was James Carbott, who A way had all his own; and when he sang, His hearers to him like a magnet drew; Their fancy tickled and their laughter rang, Until they were enraptured thru and thru; The more he sang the more this feeling grew.