A MAIDEN’S LAMENT: 2050?

It seems to me that this song I wrote seems remarkably pertinent just now. The tune is that of the folk song My Husband’s Got No Courage In Him. An obvious choice perhaps, but no less convenient. Especially as it is in public domain.

REFRAIN: O dear, O! (2x) The men now have no courage in ‘em! O, dear, O!

When I speak with men they keep their distance
When they leave they stiffly bow
They never touch me — none will risk it
Why will they not do so now? (REFRAIN)

Sometimes a man can make me smile
Flirting’s now only for the bold
But they keep distance all the while
The young ones cold, the bold ones old (REFRAIN)

When I enter a room full of men
Silence falls even in mid-word
I smile so friendly, but even then
Their eyes say ‘Get out!’ and it hurts (REFRAIN)

But now I hear that in the old days
Men didn’t want us as equals
’Twas up or down we each did gay-ayze (gaze)
Have men e’er had courage at all?

NEW REFRAIN: O, dear, O! (2x) Men never had real courage in ‘em! O, dear, O!

LAST LINE: O, dear, O! (2x) When will men have real courage in ‘em? O, dear, O!