Queen Jane

                              
      When your mother sends back all your invitations
         And your father to your sister he explains
  That you're tired of yourself and all of your creations
             Won't you come see me, Queen Jane?
             Won't you come see me, Queen Jane?
                              
 Now when all of the flower ladies want back what they have lent you
        And the smell of their roses does not remain
        And all of your children start to resent you
             Won't you come see me, Queen Jane?
             Won't you come see me, Queen Jane?
                              
     Now when all the clowns that you have commissioned
               Have died in battle or in vain
           And you're sick of all this repetition
             Won't you come see me, Queen Jane?
             Won't you come see me, Queen Jane?
                              
       When all of your advisers heave their plastic
         At your feet to convince you of their pain
Trying to prove that your conclusions should be more drastic
             Won't you come see me, Queen Jane?
             Won't you come see me, Queen Jane?
                              
Now when all the bandits that you turned your other cheek to
          All lay down their bandanas and complain
      And you want somebody you don't have to speak to
             Won't you come see me, Queen Jane?
             Won't you come see me, Queen Jane?

A number of people have commented to me that the basic history evoked by the rather witty title Queen Jane Approximately is not necessarily in the minds of all American listeners. So I have been asked for a thumb-nail sketch...

You see, Queen Jane -- the original one -- is short-lived in her position as Queen, the implication being that Bob Dylan's Queen Jane also will tumble from her elevated position. Queen Jane was Queen of England for nine days!

An English ear sees the woman Bob Dylan knicknames Queen Jane in his song as an accomplished woman, manipulated by family, with high aspirations at a very young age, unaware of just how bleak her future really will be. Approximately. And Bobby Dylan will be there for her when she falls.

The historical Jane spoke and wrote Greek and Latin with considerable skill. She knew Hebrew, Chaldee and Arabic. She was extremely well educated and accomplished. She also had a very unhappy marriage to Lord Guilford Dudley.

Edward V1 made a settlement of the crown by deed to Jane. He died 6 July 1553. At 16 years of age Lady Jane was Queen of England.

The King's death was kept secret until Jane was proclaimed Queen on 10 July 1553.

The King's sister Mary was not in agreement with these developments. Armies were raised, but council revoked former acts as done under coercion and Queen Mary was proclaimed Queen of England on 19 July 1553.

Jane relinquished the crown saying she had only accepted it out of obedience to her parents. She and her father were committed to the Tower and she and her husband were beheaded for treason on 12 February 1554.

She is of course better known as Lady Jane Grey, and the appellation Queen Jane rings odd to English ears, even now.

Now Bobby may have read a book, or he may have seen some Hollywood film, but the nickname alone evokes quite a bit, I think...

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