One of Dolly Parton’s earlier recorded songs, “Little Sparrow,” was restored to history when its lyrics were discovered on the Ozark Plateau of Missouri, where my father grew up. Dolly’s performance of the old song–a warning to young women–was transcendent. Here it is, performed in London:

The same song, performed by Kristin Chenoweth, goes to a dark, dark place. I am sure both women, coming of age in show business, were assaulted by men–“Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.” Dolly, given the sweetness of her nature, has made the old song universal and powerful. This performance is much more visceral. Chenoweth is kicking some man from her past squarely in the balls—just what he deserves.

In one argument for my gender, it was Warren Zevon who wrote this song. Linda Rondstadt gets it. The song’s thinly disguised dark humor is intended to evoke the cruelty that men can do.

And John Lennon wrote this song, immortalized by Marianne Faithfull, about men—meaning all of us–and how powerless we are, a lesson being re-taught in today’s America.

This is the most jubilant comeback-to-men song ever recorded. Sadly, it became popular soon after Joe Biden’s election. The sexual predator who preceded and followed Biden will not say goodbye. This is Patty Smyth and Scandal. I am fond of this 80s classic.

Women fight back against men’s wars, as well. This song was so popular during the Civil War that it was banned.

And they fight back against the legacy of that war. Billie Holiday, 1959. “Strange Fruit” is a song about lynching.

I’m not out to make the case that all men are brutal. Let me apply a corrective. This is Joni Mitchell, with her dulcimer, singing a song that has to be so close to the truth as to draw blood. She is struggling in her relationship, but the man is worthy enough to deserve her. She draws a map of Canada, her home, on her cocktail napkin. She needs to come home to him.

I could drink a case of you/

And I’d still be on my feet…

This song reminds me of this glorious and intensely sexual poem:

“Wild nights – Wild nights!” (269)

Emily Dickinson

Wild nights – Wild nights!

Were I with thee

Wild nights should be

Our luxury!

Futile – the winds –

To a Heart in port –

Done with the Compass –

Done with the Chart!

Rowing in Eden –

Ah – the Sea!

Might I but moor – tonight –

In thee!

That’s a good place to end this essay. There is hope. I hope.