Music

If Shakespeare had had a sweet sister
As wonderfully gifted as well
They’d have given her no chance of learning
Her genius would make her life hell
Betrothed to be wed by her father
Before she was out of her teens
She’d cry out that marriage was hateful
Face beatings and terrible scenes
She’d then take the high road to London
And stand by the stage door like him
Ambitious to start as an actress
They’d laugh at her lunatic whim
She’d never have gotten a training
Though her mind teemed with unwritten plays
And her fancy was quick as her brothers
Folk would think such a young woman crazed
When her plight roused some actor to pity
She’d be very soon gotten with child
So she’d kill herself one winter morning
For her fate would have driven her wild
If Shakespeare had had a bright sister
She’d have met with derision not praise
She might have been martyred for witchcraft
She’d never have written the plays.