On a solo trip to London in Fall 2023, I found myself sitting in the National Gallery staring at Execution of Lady Jane Grey by Paul Delaroche. It was a devastating painting that I couldn’t look away from despite being unfamiliar with Lady Jane’s story at the time. I stared at this young blindfolded girl in her final moments before execution and I cried.

A few days later, I went on an impromptu tour of the Tower Of London where I ended up standing in the room where Lady Jane was held prisoner before her execution at only 17 years old. I listened to her story on the little audio guide and looked around the horrible stone tower, trying to imagine the bleakness she felt as she not only endured the execution of her husband but awaited her own.

 Outside, there was a small glass memorial at the site where Jane (as well as Anne Boleyn and other nobility) were beheaded. I was eavesdropping on a tour group who were also taking in the memorial when I heard a grown man scoff and say “pfft, why would they get a memorial? They must have been beheaded for a reason” and it really annoyed me! I was aghast that the man wasn’t listening to anything around him and just immediately disregarded the story of this poor girl. I wrote “Jane” in my notes app on my way back to my hotel.

My experience as a girl has been filled with moments where I feel the same disregard that that man gave Lady Jane. I’m addressing him in this song but I’m also addressing every man who has ever made me feel discounted, stupid, weak, crazy, or like I’d lost my head.