Stern old bachelor (video)

G D7

1. I am a stern old bachelor, my age is forty-four,

G

I do declare I'll never live with women any more.

G D7

I have a stove that's worth 10 cents, a table worth fifteen

G

I cook my gruel in oyster cans and keep my things so clean.

G D7

Oh, little sod shanty, little sod shanty give to me,

G

for I'm a stern old bachelor, from matrimony free.

+ instrumental = CHORUS

G D7

2. When I come home at night, I smile and walk right in,

G

I never hear a voice shout out, I say, where have you been ?

G D7

On a cold and stormy night, in my cozy little shack

G

I sing my songs and think my thoughts with no one to talk back.

+ CHORUS + instrumental = CHORUS

G D7

3. I go to bed whene'er I please and get up just the same,

G

I change my socks three times a year with no one to complain.

G D7

At night when I'm in peaceful sleep my snores can do no harm,

G

I never have to walk the floor with a baby in my arms.

+ CHORUS + + instrumental = CHORUS

G D7

4. And when I die and go heaven as all good bachelors do,

G

I will not have to grieve for fear my wife will get there, too.

G D7

Oh, little sod shanty, little sod shanty give to me,

G

for I'm a stern old bachelor, from matrimony free.

(orig. = capo 1st) (The Carter Family)