see the sweet and genteel lady
so finely boned and frail
see her every morning
at the window with her knitting
where she spends the hours sitting
while she waits
for advertisements in the mail

see the genteel lady
sipping lemonade with lime
once she wanted princes
out of tales that happily ended
now the grocery clerk befriended
her cat and she was
grateful for his time

you'll grow into a beauty
her mother always said
so take your time in choosing
the boy whom you will wed
is this the right one mother?
oh no, my daughter dear
there will be someone better,
wait another year
is this the right one mother?
the husband that i seek
no, he's hardly good enough my child,
wait another week
her father died one winter
and was swiftly laid away
oh mother may i marry now?
no, i need you, stay,
i beg you darling daughter
i cannot be alone
if you love me you will stay
if you love me, stay with me at home
damn you, mother how i hate you
you will never know how deep
i must cling till you release me
i could kill you in your sleep
i would smile to watch your life blood
creep across your wretched hair
yes, of course i love you mother
i'll never leave you dear
i swear

see the sweet and genteel lady
she buys beribboned toys
and visits dull relations
to applaud piano pieces
played by nephews and by nieces
she listens in on other people's joys
and look longingly
at all the passing you boys

yes, of course i love you mother
i'll never leave you dear
i swear.