The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #133014 Message #3017421
Posted By: Stewie
28-Oct-10 - 12:07 AM
Thread Name: Lyr Req/Add: I'm Gonna Be a Bachelor (Wheeler)
Subject: ADD: The Bachelor (Billy Ed Wheeler)
The actual title is 'The Bachelor'. Billy's recording is a duet with an unknown (to me) female - there is no mention of her in the notes to the reissue compilation. Below is how I hear it. The first chorus begins with 'For' and subsequent ones with ''Cos'. I am not sure of the phrase in brackets in the second line of stanza 3, but that is what it sounds like. At first I thought it might be 'plainsfolk colour', but that didn't make much sense and there is a definite 'str' sound.
THE BACHELOR (Billy Edd Wheeler)
I used to be the kind of guy who always came to town With money in my pockets and the time to run around And play with all the gay and lovely girls as bachelors will do But I would give them all away if I could marry you
CHORUS: For/'Cos I'm gonna be a bachelor, a bachelor, a bachelor I'm gonna be a bachelor if you won't marry me I'm gonna be a bachelor, a bachelor, a bachelor I'm gonna be a bachelor if you won't marry me
If I's a fox so fine and fresh and you the hawk and hound I'd run into my hole and wait until you put your sweet nose down And then I'd kiss you once or twice, keep you from the trail And maybe this romance would start another folksy tale
CHORUS
If I's a bull I'd moo at you every time you passed And like a [plain stroke colour] my long tail'd fan the grass As you walked along and sang a song, could cause the milk to curd I'd be the first bull known to man to sing out like a bird
CHORUS
If I's a cat and you the mouse, I'd hang around your nest And if you wouldn't play with me, I'd beat upon my chest Until my own heart's blood began to boil, I'd fall upon my knees I'd spend my money buying you the best imported cheese
CHORUS
So listen all you married men who often envy me Don't give up your home cookin' to go buzzin' like the bee Who sees the pretty flowers in the fields and thinks, oh what a treat To gather honey from them all for someone else to eat
CHORUS
Source: transcription from reissue CD 'Billy Edd Wheeler - A Big Bag of Songs' Omni CD 133.