Lyrics:

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 'til you release me
I could kill you in your sleep
I would smile to watch your lifeblood
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 looks longingly at all the passing young boys
Yes, of course I love you, mother
I'll never leave you, dear, I swear