It’s a fantastic song.
It does though have the counter culture anti-marriage ethos.
“And it’s knowing I’m not shackled
By forgotten words and bonds
And the ink stains that are dried upon some line”
In other words marriage is just words and bonds that will be forgotten and dried ink stains on a marriage license.
You kinda wonder how many other guys’ minds she’s gentle on.
You’re both correct in your assessments. But even though he won’t commit to the woman he loves, the wistfulness comes through beautifully. I’m sure we’ve all known both men and women who are like that.
Sometimes marriage and settling down don’t work for everybody. I’ve got a close family member like that and he’s finding in his late 60s he really doesn’t have a lot to live for — his life has become pretty empty and meaningless. It’s a sad state of affairs.
Couldn't one also interpret those lines as meaning: "I want to stay with you - not merely because of the duties and obligations imposed by the marriage license. My love for you transcends that."?
Regards,
Always disappointing when you realize just how far the socialist messages perpetrated our cultures music, TV, and movies. And we happily sing along wondering why so many “bad” things are happening all around us.
There is that, but if it was a widower's song a whole new understanding of it emerges.