If I Were a Man is a demo for the up and coming Bridgerton Musical, written by Barlow and her writing partner and composer, Emily Bear. This particular song is sung by Eloise Bridgerton, sister of main character Daphne Bridgerton, who hates the social standards of when she lives. Penelope Feathering...
[Verse 1]
Eloise Bridgerton:
I guess I have to be a lady
Smiling and waving
Constantly obeying
I guess I need a prince
To come and save me
Even if I don't need saving
I guess I must sit on a throne I don't own
Raising the babies we made all alone
I guess as a lady there's just some things I'll never know...
[Chorus 1]
But if I were a man
I'd go to Japan
Maybe swim in the Seine
And learn to speak French
I'd have the whole world in the palm of my hand
And finally do, what I could, 'cause I can
If I were a man!
[Dialogue, Scene]
Penеlope Feathington:
"Eloise! I must tеll you something."
Eloise Bridgerton:
"Tell me."
Penelope Feathington:
"I've come to learn of a woman who is with child”
Eloise Bridgerton:
"With child... Is it a lady or maid?”
Penelope Feathington:
“Maid.”
Eloise Bridgerton:
"I didn't know one of your maids was married?"
Penelope Feathington:
"She's not."
Eloise Bridgerton:
"How can she be with child and not married?"
Penelope Feathington:
“Well I don’t know how”
Eloise Bridgerton:
“Well, you have to find out so it doesn’t happen to us!”
[Verse 2]
I guess I have to go to banquets
Banquets make me anxious
Acting rather shameless
I guess I need a gown
Down past my ankles
Doing up my hair in tangles
I guess I have to...
"Sit still and look pretty!
Dance 'til I'm proper dizzy!"
Throw away the life
That I've been missing
[Chorus 2]
But if I were a man
I'd summer in Can!
Maybe play in the sand
And wear my own pants!
I'd have the whole world in the palm of my hand
I'd probably fly far away from the nest
If I were a man!
[Bridge]
No more ladies and lords
Just a world to explore
And I don’t care if it’s all just a bore!
No extravagant balls! Or gentlemen calls!
And I don't give a rat if he's handsome and tall
I don't want to settle and squak
[?]
Oh!
What if I, what if I want...
I...
[Chorus 1]
But if I were a man
I'd go to Japan
Maybe swim in the Seine
And learn to speak French
I'd have the whole world in the palm of my hand
And finally do, what I could, but I can't
If I were a man
If I were a man!
I'd have the whole world in the palm of my hand
And finally do, what I could, but I can't
If I were a man
If I Were a Man was written by Emily Bear & Abigail Barlow.
If I Were a Man was produced by Emily Bear & Abigail Barlow.
Abigail Barlow released If I Were a Man on Thu Jan 21 2021.