Single Girl Married Girl
A. P. Carter Lyrics
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She's going dressed so fine
Oh, she's going dressed so fine
Married girl, married girl
She wears just any kind
Oh, she wears just any kind
Single girl, single girl
Oh, she goes to store & buys
Married girl, married girl
She rocks the cradle & cries
Oh, she rocks the cradle & cries
Single girl, single girl
She's going just where she please
Oh, she's going where she please
Married girl, married girl
Baby on her knees
Oh, baby on her knees
The lyrics to A. P. Carter's song "Single Girl Married Girl" explore the contrast between the lives of a single girl and a married girl. In the first stanza, the single girl is depicted as fashionable and well-dressed, while the married girl wears whatever clothing is available to her. This suggests the idea that marriage can sometimes restrict an individual's freedom to dress in a way that genuinely suits their style or preferences.
The second stanza presents a similar comparison between the two women's shopping habits. The single girl can shop for whatever she wants, while the married girl is presumably more limited in her shopping choices due to her responsibilities as a parent, something that is highlighted in the third stanza as she is seen rocking a cradle and crying. This suggests the idea that marriage and motherhood can sometimes limit an individual's ability to act in the way they want, affecting their freedom and happiness.
The final stanza again paints a picture of the single girl as free to go wherever she pleases, while the married girl has a baby on her knees, limiting her mobility. The song overall highlights the freedom accorded to single women compared to married women, while raising questions about the cost of that freedom.
Line by Line Meaning
Single girl, single girl
The song is describing the difference between the lives of a single girl and a married girl.
She's going dressed so fine
A single girl spends more time on her appearance to attract a mate.
Oh, she's going dressed so fine
The repetition of the previous line for emphasis.
Married girl, married girl
A married girl has already found a mate and no longer feels the need to impress anyone else.
She wears just any kind
A married girl no longer cares about her appearance and will wear whatever is comfortable.
Oh, she wears just any kind
The repetition of the previous line for emphasis.
She goes to store & buys
A single girl is independent and makes her own decisions.
Oh, she goes to store & buys
The repetition of the previous line for emphasis.
She rocks the cradle & cries
A married girl takes care of her family and is responsible for the well-being of her children.
Oh, she rocks the cradle & cries
The repetition of the previous line for emphasis.
She's going just where she please
A single girl has the freedom to do what she wants and go where she pleases without needing to answer to anyone.
Oh, she's going where she please
The repetition of the previous line for emphasis.
Baby on her knees
A married girl's main responsibility is taking care of her child, which often means sacrificing her own desires and dreams.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: A.P. CARTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind