My Mother Bids Me Bind My Hair - Classic Text | Alexandria
My Mother Bids Me Bind My Hair (1794)
"My Mother Bids Me Bind My Hair" is a celebrated art song composed by Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) with lyrics by Scottish poet Anne Hunter (1742-1821), representing one of the most successful collaborations between these two figures of the late 18th century. The work emerged during Haydn's second London visit and stands as a prime example of the English canzonetta style, combining elegant simplicity with emotional depth.
The text first appeared as part of Haydn's "Six Original Canzonettas" (1794), during a period when salon music was gaining prominence in English society. Anne Hunter, a respected poet and hostess of literary gatherings in London, wrote the verses that would become integral to this beloved composition. Hunter, who was also the wife of prominent surgeon John Hunter, moved in sophisticated artistic circles that included Haydn himself, leading to their creative partnership.
The song's narrative centers on a mother's advice to her daughter to adorn herself with roses and appear cheerful despite hidden sorrows, reflecting themes of social expectations and private emotional struggles common in the Georgian era. The work gained particular resonance among middle and upper-class women of the period, for whom the tension between public presentation and private feeling was especially relevant. Haydn's setting of Hunter's text demonstrates remarkable sensitivity to the English language, despite it not being his native tongue.
This composition continues to hold significance in the art song repertoire, particularly in English-speaking countries, where it serves as a standard piece for vocal training and performance. Its enduring appeal lies in both its musical accessibility and its subtle exploration of universal themes regarding appearance versus reality. Modern interpretations often emphasize its feminist undertones, viewing the text as a commentary on women's social constraints in the 18th century. The work represents a unique intersection of Austrian musical genius and British literary sensibility, remaining a testament to the creative possibilities of cross-cultural artistic collaboration in the Age of Enlightenment.