"Stern Old Bachelor" lyrics - THE CARTER FAMILY

I am a stern old bachelor, my age is 44
I do declare I'll never live with women anymore
I have a stove that's worth 10 cents, a table worth 15
I cook my gruel in oyster cans and keep my things so clean

Oh, little sod shanty
Little sod shanty give to me
For I'm a stern old bachelor
From matrimony free

[Instrumental break]

When I come home at night, I smile and walk right in
I never hear a voice shout out, I say, where have you been
On a cold and stormy night, in my cozy little shack
I sing my songs and think my thoughts with no one to talk back

Oh, little sod shanty
Little sod shanty give to me
For I'm a stern old bachelor
From matrimony free

[Instrumental break]

I go to bed whene'er I please and get up just the same
I change my socks three times a year with no one to complain
At night when I'm in peaceful sleep my snores can do no harm
I never have to walk the floor with a baby in my arms

Oh, little sod shanty
Little sod shanty give to me
For I'm a stern old bachelor
From matrimony free

[Instrumental break]

And when I die and go heaven as all good bachelors do
I will not have to grieve for fear my wife will get there, too

Oh, little sod shanty
Little sod shanty give to me
For I'm a stern old bachelor
From matrimony free