| AKA | The girl of the period |
| First Published | c1871 |
| Writer/composer | HW Sweeny / Alfred Lee | Roud | RNV54479 |
| Music Hall Performers | Milly Howard |
The "Girls of the Period" have all had their say. And we've had enough of the "Young men of the day!" But neither of the parties with my fancy chimes, Because I'm a girl in advance of my times. I can sing I can sew, I can ride I can row, I can cook, I can nurse: So for better or worse I'm a girl in advance of my times. I can set a charade, play billiards or pool, Can serve up a cutlet or a drag I can tool : I can dance half the night and be up with the dawn, With the elders play whist, or croquet on the lawn. I can live in the country or live in the town. I can flirt with a guardsman or talk to a clown! I'm the pet of the house the pride of the "Row" I'm a girl for use — not dressed np for show.
Performed by various female members of the group of entertainers put together by Alfred G Vance, most notably Millie Howard. A song which seems to have first been sung in or around 1870, it was published the following year:
The 1860s was a time when the role of women in society was debated fiercely. In 1868, an anonymous article in the Saturday Review under the title The Girl of the Period, contrasted the “fair young English girl” of the past who apparently demonstrated “innate purity” and”dignity” with “The Girl of the Period” whose only object was fun, luxury and the pursuit of fashion. “The Girl of the Period” became something of a catchphrase, it appeared in the titles of various publications (often comic ones) and inevitably appears in the lyrics of several music hall songs. Interestingly, whilst the concept was one prompted by conservative fears about the increasing freedom of young women, it appears that many young women aspired to be a “Girl of the Period”. There is much more that could be said about this, if you’re interested in finding out more about the ” Girl of the Period” it’s worth having a read of Kristine Moruzi’s article (link below). I think it’s fair to say that the contradiction between conservative fears and the aspirations of young women are reflected in the lyrics of this song…
As far as I am aware this song has not passed into traditional singing, it’s included here because I came across it and it was interesting!
Sources:
- Entries in the Roud Indexes at the Vaughn Williams Memorial Library: https://archives.vwml.org/search/all:single[folksong-broadside-books]/0_50/all/score_desc/extended-roudNo_tr%3AV54479
- Kilgarrif Sing Us
- Lyrics: deMarsan’s Singers Journal No 87, p658(c1872 )
- WorldCat entry
- Kristine Moruzi, Fast and Fashionable:The Girls in The Girl of the Period Miscellany in Constructing Girlhood through the Periodical Press, 1850-1915, Routledge (2016)
Last Updated on September 7, 2021 by John Baxter | Published: September 2, 2021
