a sexist song for you

well these days you heard so much of sexist remarks from the monkeys in parliament and state assembly, that you thought you have enough but here am i to present to you a sexist song (or maybe chauvinist is the word to use). no no it is not my own creation (i am not that creative) but a popular song that had been around for ages. as i mentioned the lyrics to show how demeaning it is to women, you might recognize which song i am talking about.

in this song, first the man accused women as being irrational, and said that their heads are full of cotton, hay, and rags! he then proceed to give such interesting and colorful adjectives to describe women – exasperating, irritating, vacillating, calculating, agitating, maddening and infuriating hags!

phew!

he then asked his friend (male friend naturally) why can’t women be like men because men are so honest, so thoroughly square, eternally noble and historically fair.

ahem! eternally noble and historically fair? that sounds… er…kind of funny to me but i applaud him for using the words ‘eternally’ and ‘historically’. so this means right in the beginning men are known to be fair and they are forever noble.

why can’t a woman learn to use her head, he continued to ask. do they have to do everything their mothers do? they should grow up like their father instead, i.e. take after a man. why? because according to him men are so pleasant, so easy to please, and whenever you are with them, you’re always at ease. *sic*

he then asks his friend (a male friend naturally) would he feel slighted if he didn’t speak to him for hours or get all livid if he had a drink or two. would he fuss if he forgot his birthday or bellow if he is late for dinner? of course his friend answer in the negative , which prompt him to wonder then why can’t a woman be like his friend – a male.

ahh… now this part takes the cake. after justifying that one man in a million may shout a bit, and now and then there’s one with slight defects or perhaps, whose truthfulness people doubt a bit, but by and large men are a marvelous sex!

*almost faint*  men – a marvelous sex? now ain’t this downright true and true pure narcissism?

as his housekeeper came by, he asks his housekeeper why can’t a woman be more like a man because men are so decent, such regular chaps, ready to help anyone through any mishaps.

he then proceed to insult women further when he asked why is thinking something women never do and they never ever try logic. they are always straightening their hair when they should straighten up the mess that’s inside! yes, he asked for the last time, why can’t a woman behave like a man.
 
aha! i guess by now (or earlier) you would have recognized the song to be from the broadway musical hit ‘my fair lady‘. the title of the song, not surprisingly  is ‘a hymn to him’. full lyrics of the song.

luckily this is just a song composed by someone for entertainment purpose. hope there’s no men who support this song! er… better hide the song from those monkeys in parliament. who knows, this might give them the right ammunition for them to further fire at women.

why i suddenly remember this song is because I had just attended the ‘my fair lady’ play in KLCC plenary hall when I was in KL on 20 may. it was indeed a great performance! first time i watch musical play live. what i regret was that I could not see the expression on the performers’ faces since i was seated at the furthest seat (cheapest seat, see).

oh, there is another song that is demeaning to women too (like the a ‘hymn to him’ song). It is the song ‘i’m an ordinary man’ where professor higgins explain why he does not want to let a woman in his life (in other words get married). see the lyrics here, with reference to women. i had omitted the reference to himself, all self praise of himself.

BUT, Let a woman in your life and your serenity is through,
she’ll redecorate your home, from the cellar to the dome,
and then go on to the enthralling fun of overhauling you…
Let a woman in your life, and you’re up against a wall,
make a plan and you will find,
that she has something else in mind,
and so rather than do either you do something else
that neither likes at all You want to talk of Keats and Milton,
she only wants to talk of love,
You go to see a play or ballet, and spend it searching
for her glove, Let a woman in your life
and you invite eternal strife,
Let them buy their wedding bands for those anxious little hands…
I’d be equally as willing for a dentist to be drilling
than to ever let a woman in my life,

[…]

But, Let a woman in your life,
and patience hasn’t got a chance,
she will beg you for advice, your reply will be concise,
and she will listen very nicely, and then go out
and do exactly what she wants!!!

[…]

Let a woman in your life,
and you’re plunging in a knife,
Let the others of my sex, tie the knot around their necks,
I prefer a new edition of the Spanish Inquisition
than to ever let a woman in my life

[…]

But, let a woman in your life, and your sabbatical is through,
in a line that never ends comes an army of her friends,
come to jabber and to chatter
and to tell her what the matter is with YOU!,
she’ll have a booming boisterous family,
who will descend on you en mass,
she’ll have a large wagnarian mother,
with a voice that shatters glass,

full lyrics