The structure of society in colonial America was very similar to British society. The old ways were brought from European countries. The gentry were the upper class, including the elite, wealthy, well-bred, well-educated, land-owning men. They could vote and were the ones who held high public office. Men of the middle class owned small farms, ran stores or small business, were skilled tradesmen, or belonged to professions such as ministers, doctors, and lawyers. The lower classes included the poor whites. They could not vote or hold public office. Few owned property and most were illiterate. They were primarily manual laborers, servants, apprentices, sailors, and semi-skilled tradesmen. Poor whites were increasingly forced to become tenant farmers. Below this were the indentured servants and convicts, and below this were the African American people in slavery.
“Pretty Saro” is an old English ballad that came to New World during colonial times. It is sung from the perspective of a man from the lower class. The lyrics reflect the social class distinctions that persisted in America.
Lyrics
Down in some lone valley in a lonesome place
Where the wild birds do whistle, and their notes do increase
Farewell pretty Saro, I bid you adieu
But I’ll dream of pretty Saro wherever I go
My love she won’t have me, so I understand
She wants a free holder who owns house and land
I cannot maintain her with silver and gold
Nor buy all the fine things that a big house can hold
If I were a merchant and could write a fine hand
I’d write my love a letter that she’d understand
I’d write it by the river where the waters o’er-flow
And I’ll dream of pretty Saro wherever I go