Roba Stanley recorded a song with a similar theme some 3 years before the Sara Carter's famous recording at the Bristol Sessions. It was titled 'Single Life'. It reflects a strongly feminine point of view that rejects the role that many southern girls of Roba's generation were forced into. Oddly, Roba broke the tone by inserting a seemingly inappropriate stanza from the well-known, nagging wife song 'Bald-Headed End of a Broom'.

SINGLE LIFE

Do not care for pretty little things
Always felt like dancing
Streets all lined with one dollar bills
Girls all sweet and dainty

Chorus:
Single life is a happy life
Single life is lovely
I am single and no man's wife
And no man shall control me

Some will come on Saturday night
Some will come on Sunday
And if you give them half a chance
They will stay behind till Monday

Chorus

Cupid came last Saturday night
Took him in my parlour
Every time he'd hug my neck
He'd say now don't you holler

Chorus

Boy fall in love with a pretty little girl
He'll talk as gentle as a dove
He'll call her his honey and spend all his money
And show 'er he's solid on his love

Chorus

Would not marry a red-headed boy
Would not marry for money
All I want is a brown-eyed boy
To kiss and call me honey

Chorus

Boys keep away from the girls I say
And give them plenty of room
For when you're wed they'll bang you till you're dead
With the bald-headed end of a broom

Chorus

Recorded by Roba Stanley in Atlanta, Georgia, in July 1925 and issued as OK 40436. She was accompanied on harmonica and guitar by Henry Whitter.

The recording was reissued on Various Artists 'Banjo Picking Girl: Women in Early County Music Vol 1' Rounder 1029. I don't kow whether it has made it to CD as yet.

--Stewie.