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Description
“Advice to Young Ladies” is a song meant to provide advice to young women pertaining to their role and duties as an "ideal" wife. The song directs women to be submissive to their husband and "ne'er be ill-tempered, look sulky or frown." Also included on the song sheet is "Oh, Say Not Woman's Heart is Bought."
Full Transcript of "Advice to Young Ladies" and "Oh Say Not Woman's Heart is Bought" Song Sheet
Transcribed Excerpt of "Advice to Young Ladies" Song
Source-Dependent Questions
- Who does the songwriter specifically target with this song? What is its purpose? Provide evidence from the source that leads you to your conclusion.
- Use specific evidence from the song to characterize the ideal relationship between husband and wife according to the songwriter.
- What societal attitude is reflected in the final four lines of the song about the status of women within marriage and society?
- If the songwriter were writing “Advice to Young Ladies” today, what would he change in his original song? Why?
Citation Information
"Advice to young ladies. Air---John Dean. Andrews, Printer, 38 Chatham Street, N.Y.," Date Unknown. Courtesy of Library of Congress