In 1779, a poem, although it is called a song in the printing, was published in Marblehead, Massachusetts by Molly Gutridge, “a daughter of liberty living in Marblehead.” Very little is known about Molly Gutridge and it is possible that this could have been a pseudonym.
The poem was published as a broadside, a cheap and quickly-printed paper meant to be rapidly distributed. It gives an intimate look into the lives of women and those left behind during the Revolutionary period. It begins by depicting the intense grief that was felt by everyone, “our best beloved they are gone,” and the hopelessness that women specifically felt, “what could women do without a man.”
However, a rather significant part of the first section of the poem discusses the everyday struggles and the “hard and cruel times to live,” that the people left behind faced. Gutridge talks about how expensive everything is becoming, that it “takes thirty dollars to buy a sieve” which, according to the CPI Inflation Calculator, is over $1000. This may be a hyperbolic statement but considering the trade restrictions that were placed on the American colonies, the sentiment is demonstrative of ongoing economic frustrations. Specifically mentioned was salt, importation of which was largely shut down due to British naval blockades. Salt was used to cure and preserve food, making it integral to survival. This sentiment was echoed by Gutridge as she stated that the only salt they had came from their tears: “had we but salt we’ve anything, for salt is all the farmer’s cry, if we’ve no salt we sure must die.”
When this poem is quoted it often ends at the discussion of the hardships, stating that the world is turned upside down –– an echo to a song that was said to be played when the British surrendered at Yorktown in 1781. While there is some debate about whether or not this is true, there are versions recounting a mother and child, a metaphor for England and the colonies. However, if one continues to read the original poem, Gutridge goes on to say that if “we be kind and just and true, he’ll (God) set and turn the world anew.” The remainder of the poem discusses the sins and crimes committed by everyone and how that led to the world being turned upside down. The following stanzas are a call to put down arms and meet together in peace. Gutridge states that the world cannot go on in this time of war. Therefore, the end of the poem depicts the frustrations of the everyday people and the desire to see the end of the war, regardless of the outcome.
Interestingly enough, Molly Gutridge’s poem doesn’t take a side. Everyone, whether American or British, is responsible for the world being upside down. And everyone, whether Patriot or Loyalist, is responsible for righting it.
Sources
- Adelberg, Michael. "Salt Making." Philadelphia Encyclopedia. Available at: PhiladelphiaEncycolpedia.org.
- North, Louise V., Janet M. Wedge, and Landa M. Freeman. In the Words of Women. Lexington Books, 2011.
- "Reflections from the Home Front." Settler Colonialism and Revolution, The American Revolution, Women and the American Revolution. New-York Historical Society. Available at: Women and the American Story.
- "United States Inflation Calculator." Official Data. Available at: OfficialData.org.
- Davis, Renfro John. "The World Turned Upside Down: Molly Gutridge's Testimony." Maryland State Archives. Available at: msa.maryland.gov.
- "Gutridge, Molly (fl. 1778)." Encyclopedia.com. Available at: Encyclopedia.com.
Additional information
A complete transcription of Molly Gutridge’s poem can be found at https://wams.nyhistory.org/settler-colonialism-and-revolution/the-american-revolution/reflections-from-home-front/
Edited by Alisa Grishin