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Poem
July 3, 1870
Nashville Union And American
Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee
What is this article about?
A father comforts his young daughter Mary, who believes women can do nothing based on her cousin's words, by highlighting the essential family roles women fulfill, like providing comfort and happiness.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
"Mayn't I be a boy?" said our Mary
The tears in her great eyes of blue;
"I'm only a wee little lassie-
There's nothing a woman can do.
'Tis so; I heard cousin John say so-
He's home from a great college, too-
He said so just now in the parlor:
"There's nothing a woman can do."
"My wee little lassie, my darling,"
Said I, putting back her soft hair,
"I want you, my dear little maiden
To soothe away all mother's care.
Who is it, when pa comes home weary,
That runs for his slippers and gown?
What eye does he watch for at morning,
Looking out from their lashes of brown?
"Is there nothing you can do, my darling?
What was it that pa said last night?
"My own little sunbeam is coming,
I know, for the room is so bright
And there is a secret, my Mary-
Perhaps you will learn some
The hand that is willing and loving
Will do the most work on the way.
"And the work that is sweetest and dearest
The great work of making folks happy
Can be done by a lassie like you."
The tears in her great eyes of blue;
"I'm only a wee little lassie-
There's nothing a woman can do.
'Tis so; I heard cousin John say so-
He's home from a great college, too-
He said so just now in the parlor:
"There's nothing a woman can do."
"My wee little lassie, my darling,"
Said I, putting back her soft hair,
"I want you, my dear little maiden
To soothe away all mother's care.
Who is it, when pa comes home weary,
That runs for his slippers and gown?
What eye does he watch for at morning,
Looking out from their lashes of brown?
"Is there nothing you can do, my darling?
What was it that pa said last night?
"My own little sunbeam is coming,
I know, for the room is so bright
And there is a secret, my Mary-
Perhaps you will learn some
The hand that is willing and loving
Will do the most work on the way.
"And the work that is sweetest and dearest
The great work of making folks happy
Can be done by a lassie like you."
What sub-type of article is it?
Ballad
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
Mary
Little Girl
Women Roles
Family Care
Moral Instruction
Poem Details
Subject
Reassuring A Daughter About Women's Roles
Form / Style
Rhymed Stanzas
Key Lines
"Mayn't I Be A Boy?" Said Our Mary
The Tears In Her Great Eyes Of Blue;
"There's Nothing A Woman Can Do."
"And The Work That Is Sweetest And Dearest
The Great Work Of Making Folks Happy
Can Be Done By A Lassie Like You."