A mistress is a relatively long-term female lover and companion who is not married to her partner, especially when her partner is himself married.

Generally, the relationship is stable and at least semi-permanent, but the couple does not live together openly and the relationship is usually, but not always, secret.

There is often also the implication that the mistress is ‘kept’ – that her lover is paying for some (and sometimes all) of her living expenses.

A mistress is not a prostitute: while a mistress, if ‘kept’, may be exchanging sex for money.

The principal difference is that a mistress has sex with fewer men and there is not so much of a direct exchange between the money and the sex act.

There is usually an emotional and possibly social relationship between a man and his mistress, whereas the relationship to a prostitute is predominantly sexual.

The keeping of a mistress was not confined to royalty and nobility, but permeated down through the social ranks, essentially to any man who could afford to do so.

Any man who could afford a mistress could have one (or more), regardless of social position.

A wealthy merchant or a young noble might have a ‘kept’ woman.

Being a mistress was typically an occupation for a younger woman who, if she were fortunate, might go on to marry her lover or another man of rank.

During the 20th century, as many women became better educated and able to support themselves, fewer women found satisfaction being a mistress and were more likely to be in relationships with unmarried men.

As divorce became more socially acceptable, it was easier for men to divorce their wives and marry the women who, in earlier years, might have been their mistresses.

The practice of having a mistress continued among some married men, especially the wealthy.

Did I disappoint you or let you down?
Should I be feeling guilty or let the judges frown?
‘Cause I saw the end before we’d begun.
Yes, I saw you were blinded and I knew I had won.

So, I took what’s mine by eternal right,
Took your soul out into the night.
It may be over but it won’t stop there.
I am here for you if you’d only care.

You touched my heart, you touched my soul,
You changed my life and all my goals.
And love is blind, and that I knew, when
My heart was blinded by you.

I’ve kissed your lips and held your head.
Shared your dreams and shared your bed.
I know you well, I know your smell.
I’ve been addicted to you.

Goodbye, my lover.
Goodbye, my friend.
You have been the one.
You have been the one for me.

I am a dreamer,
And when I wake,
You can’t break my spirit.
It’s my dreams you take.

And as you move on,
Remember me,
Remember us,
And all we used to be.

I’ve seen you cry,
I’ve seen you smile.
I’ve watched you sleeping for a while.
I’d be the father of your child.
I’d spend a lifetime with you.

I know your fears and you know mine.
We’ve had our doubts but now we’re fine.
And I love you,
I swear that’s true.
I cannot live without you.

Goodbye, my lover.
Goodbye, my friend.
You have been the one.
You have been the one for me.

And I still hold your hand in mine,
In mine when I’m asleep.
And I will bare my soul in time,
When I’m kneeling at your feet.

Goodbye, my lover.
Goodbye, my friend.
You have been the one.
You have been the one for me.