Womans Rights, song lyrics
 Song: Womans Rights
Lyrics: Kate Horn(1)(2)
Music: Kate Horn
Year: 1853(1)
Genre: Ballad
Country: USA
Since many wish to hear in verse
What I think woman's rights,
I'll quck dear friends to you rehearse
My thoughts, in hopes as lights,
They'll act upon those dark en'd minds,
Who strive to gain applause,
By novely in making claims
Regardless of the cause.
'Tis "womans Right" a home to have
As perfect as can be,
But "Not her right" to make that home
To ev'ry lover free;
'Tis "womans right" to rule the house,
And petty troubles brave,
But "not her right" to rule the head
And treat him as her slave.
'Tis "Woman's right" to dress as gay
As she can well afford,
But "not her right" in doing this
To ruin quick her lord.
'Tis "Woman's right" to claim sole love
From those who with her link,
But "not her right" when troubles come
To change, and from them shrink.
'Tis "Woman's right" to claim respect
From men of ev'ry grade,
But "not her right" to walk around
As master to each trade
'Tis "Womans' right" as wife to act
Alone to Legislators,
But "not her right" to mound the stand
And speak as commentators.
'Tis "Woman's right" if needs must be
The ocean's storm to brave,
But "not her right" the Barque(5) to guide
Across the ocean wave;
'Tis "Woman's right" to freely speak
And Honestly advise,
But "not her right" to gain her ends
By pouting - sulks - or sighs.
'Tis "Woman's right" to have around
A group of "merry fays,"
But "not her right" to pettish prove
And spoil their youthful days;
'Tis "Woman's right" to have man's heart
Held surely by "Love's chains,"
But "not her right" to entertain
A host of faithless swains.
Notes:
1 - Transcribed from the sheetmusic by Horace Waters, 333 Broadway, New York, NY.
2 - Sorry, we have no biographical data on this Kate Horn. If you do, we would be grateful if you would share it with us. Please click on the About page in the menu at the top and send us an email. Thank you.
3 - The cover of the sheet music reads: "Dedicated (Without Permission) to Mrs. Oakwood Smith & Mrs. Amelia Bloomer" and "Rightly written for the "Womans Rights Conventions" by Kate Horn (Not one of the Womans rights Convention)". This song is clearly meant as a criticism of the woman's rights movement.
4 - Amelia Jenks Bloomer (1818 – 1894) referred to on the cover of the score and was a journalist and was active in the women's rights movment. Information on the Women's Rights Conventions.
5 - A "barque" was a sailing ship.
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