The 1st verse of the version by Jean Ritchie seems identical to the first verse of "Wagoners Lad" (as sung by the Kossoy Sisters on an Audio CD of Appalachian Music which I have).

There appear to be 2 themes here: (a) The song is actually sung by a woman who laments the free and easy attitude some young men can adopt to love; this was obviously in the days before female contraception since some present day females can give the males a run for their money in this respect (b) A comment on the squalor of the typical "bachelor pad".

As P.J. O'Rourke once wrote when comparing the relative merits of private and public ownership, anything you own yourself is usually tidier and better organised than anything public (eg public buildings, lavatories, etc). However he issued a disclaimer: "If you're a typical bachelor under 30, please ignore the last bit." (or words to that effect).

I remember Steeleye Span also did a versuion of Bachelors Hall. The ony lines I can remember were I think at the end of the chorus: "Always stay single, Keep Bachelors Hall".

A BACHELOR