The sexual revolution (liberated sexual activity) of the 1960s and onward was part, but certainly not the only part, of the Women’s Movement. It was a product of advances in contraceptive techniques such as the birth control pill for women, the availability of legal abortions and the “hippie” revolution, where young women rejected the restraints surrounding women’s sexual activites common during their parents’ and grandparents’ generations. (Carroll, pp. 24-26.)
“The Pill,” sung by Loretta Lynn, written by Lorene Allen, Don McHan, and T. D. Bayless, (1972) (https://youtu.be/Dip54axBnIs), is a comedy-tinged song about birth control. The song tells a story of a wife who is upset about her husband getting her pregnant year after year, but is now happy because she can control her own reproductive choices because she has “the pill.” The song’s frank discussion of birth control, something that was considered risqué subject matter at the time, led to a number of country radio stations refusing to play it. Recorded in 1972 and held back by her label, the song was finally released in 1975.
”Since My Margaret Became a Suffragette,” sung by Maurice Burkhardt, is an example of a comic complaint song about a man who’s wife is busy campaigning for the vote, published in 1912 and “Your Mother’s Gone Away to Join the Army” is a song about the family left behind as a mother goes to fight for the cause, sung by Billy Murray in 1913.”Since My Margaret Became a Suffragette,” sung by Maurice Burkhardt, is an example of a comic complaint song about a man who’s wife is busy campaigning for the vote, published in 1912 and “Your Mother’s Gone Away to Join the Army” is a song about the family left behind as a mother goes to fight for the cause, sung by Billy Murray in 1913.
You wined me and dined me
When I was your girl
Promised if I’d be your wife
You’d show me the world
But all I’ve seen of this old world
Is a bed and a doctor bill
I’m tearin’ down your brooder house
‘Cause now I’ve got the pill
All these years I’ve stayed at home
While you had all your fun
And every year that’s gone by
Another baby’s come
There’s a gonna be some changes made
Right here on nursery hill
You’ve set this chicken your last time
‘Cause now I’ve got the pillThis old maternity dress I’ve got
Is goin’ in the garbage
The clothes I’m wearin’ from now on
Won’t take up so much yardage
Miniskirts, hot pants and a few little fancy frills
Yeah I’m makin’ up for all those years
Since I’ve got the pillI’m tired of all your crowin’
How you and your hens play
While holdin’ a couple in my arms
Another’s on the way
This chicken’s done tore up her nest
And I’m ready to make a deal
And ya can’t afford to turn it down
‘Cause you know I’ve got the pillThis incubator is overused
Because you’ve kept it filled
The feelin’ good comes easy now
Since I’ve got the pill
It’s getting’ dark, it’s roostin’ time
Tonight’s too good to be real
Oh but daddy don’t you worry none
‘Cause mama’s got the pill
Oh daddy don’t you worry none
‘Cause mama’s got the pill
“The Pill,” written and sung by Matt McGinn (1968) is a humorous song about the birth control pill from the eyes of an Irish Catholic woman, who was prevented from using birth control because of church doctrine. (https://youtu.be/u6ODFCMaGT4)
Chorus: The pill, the pill, I’m pining for the pill
I’ll never have any more because they’re going to bless the pillI wed when I was seventeen, I had nae many brains
Says I the very thing is to fill the house with weans
But when I had a roomful, I went to see the priest
To tell him my man Willie was behaving like a beastChorus
He gave me such a terrible row, my eyes were filled with tears
“How long have you been wed?” says he, says I, “This seven years”
Says he, “You’d better give over all your evil, sinful tricks
You’ve been married seven years and you’ve only got the six”Chorus
Now I’m coming up for forty, in my faith I’ve aye been true
The very last time I tallied them, I counted twenty two
But now I’ve lost the notion, for we’re running short o’ names
Though Willie he would welcome more, he’s fond o’ having weansChorus
Now they’re talking o’ the pill, they’ve filled my heart wi’ hope
I’m sitting here and waiting on a signal from the Pope
I went along to buy some at fifteen bob a tin
I hope we have the Pope’s okay before my man comes inChorus