American Old Time Song Lyrics: 35 Wanted A Governess

Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 35

WANTED A GOVERNESS.
Composed and Sung by John Parry.
Written by George Dubourg, Esq.

I know not a cure so good for the vapors,
As reading the "wants "which appear in the papers;
There's wanted a husband, or "wanted a sample,"
Or "wanted to borrow," but here's an example:
"Wanted a governess" - "Wanted a governess" - "A governess wanted"-
A governess wanted, well fitted to fill
The post of tuition with competent skill,
In a gentleman's family highly genteel,
Where 'tis hoped that the lady will try to conceal
Any fanciful feelings or flights she may feel.
For this gentleman's family's so very genteel, they're so very genteel!

Superior attainments are quite indispensable,
With everything, too, that's correct and ostensible;
Morals of pure unexceptionability;
Manners well formed and of strictest gentility
The pupils are five-ages six to sixteen-
All as promising girls as ever were seen;
And besides (though 'tis scarcely worth while to put that in)
There are two little boys, but they only learn Latin.

Wanted a governess, fitted to fill
The post of tuition with competent skill,
In a gentleman's family highly genteel.
Where, in order that things may go "Toujours Tranquille,"
They seldom express themselves quite as they feel.
For this gentleman's family's so very genteel, they're so very genteel!

The lady must teach all the several branches,
Where into polite education now launches;
She's expected to speak the French tongue like a native,
And be to her pupils of all its points dative;
Italian she must know, of course, nor needs banish
Whatever acquaintance she may have with Spanish;
Nor would there be harm in a trifle of German,
In the absence, that is, of the master, Herr Hermann.
"Wanted a governess," fitted to fill
The post of tuition with competent skill,
In a gentleman's family highly genteel,
Where the lady will find, by attention and zeal,
That she'll scarcely have time to partake of a meal,
For this gentleman's family's so very genteel, they're so very genteel!

The harp and the piano (cela va sans dire),
With thorough bass, too, on the plan of Logier.
In drawing in pencil and chalk, and the tinting
That's called Oriental, she must not be stint in.
She must paint upon paper, on satin and velvet,
And if she knows wax work she'll not need to shelve it.
Dancing, of course, with the newest Gambades,
The Polish Mazurka and best Gallopades;
Arithmetic, history, joined with chronology,
Hereldry, botany, writing, conchology,
Grammar and satin-stitch, netting, geography, astronomy,
Use of the globes and cosmography!

These are the principal matters (an reste).
Address, "J. Z. X. Q. V., Easy Place, West."
As the salary's very moderate, none need apply
Who more on that point than on comfort rely;
But, perhaps, 'twere as well, to make matters shorter,
To mention the terms-namely, five pounds a quarter.

Wanted a governess, well fitted to fill
The post of tuition with competent skill,
Where 'tis wished that the pupils should never be still,
Nor the governess either, be she well or ill­"A governess wanted "-" Wanted a governess."