Just listening for the 784,654th time....and it's just perfect in every way. Just incredible. The only reason it was remade was to scoop up a boatload of money from a more modern and accepting audience. But it is a completely different song than the other one that sounds slapped together in a few takes without a thought for the meaning.
This song captivates me still, after 50+ years. Takes me to the deep South and the poverty of some who lived thru truly hard times. And the powerful spirit of a poor young girl being abandoned to her future with only a red dress and her wits to keep her alive.
She not only stayed alive, she turned her hard beginnings around, became self sufficient, successful and someone with respect for herself. She didn't let the naysayers and judgers stop her. She's the one sitting in the drivers seat at the end.
So, not a song about a poor girl, but a song of hope and how you can rise up no matter how far down you started.
There is a huge difference between a singer who simply belts out a song that is on a page in front of them, and someone who can convey an entire experience with their voice. Telling not just a story with words, but taking you inside it and making you feel like you are there, with their interpretation.
Like howdy-do
Your tin soldiers, your clowns too
They're all laughing at you
I'm laughing at you too
Like basketball
Five fouls and that was all
The games you really knew, yeah
Why couldn't I beat you
In the middle of the room
Got no time to count my sheep today
How could I let you get away
When I knew I'd need somebody soon hoo hoo
How could I let you get away
When I knew I'd need somebody soon
Like mother goose
Winds you up then turns you loose
Block ten was beatin' two
And I can't tell green from blue, no no
Like cat and mouse
Games of chase instead of house
I get so mad at you
Like parents often do
In the middle of the room
Got no time to count my sheep today, baby
How could I let you get away
When I knew I'd need somebody soon, hoo hoo
(How could I let you get away) baby
When I knew I'd need somebody soon
Ooh baby
(How could I let you get away, baby) how could I let you get away, baby
(When I knew) when I knew I'd need somebody soon, yeah
Hey, baby
I didn't count my sheep, I let them moan and weep, baby
(When I knew I'd) I knew down inside I'd need somebody soon
Like mother goose I done let you loose (how could I let you get away)
And need you, baby, yeah
Ooh-wee, I need somebody soon
Help me now, keep my feet on the ground (how could I let you get away)
My baby
Your tin soldiers, your clowns too
They're all laughing at you
I'm laughing at you too
Like basketball
Five fouls and that was all
The games you really knew, yeah
Why couldn't I beat you
In the middle of the room
Got no time to count my sheep today
How could I let you get away
When I knew I'd need somebody soon hoo hoo
How could I let you get away
When I knew I'd need somebody soon
Like mother goose
Winds you up then turns you loose
Block ten was beatin' two
And I can't tell green from blue, no no
Like cat and mouse
Games of chase instead of house
I get so mad at you
Like parents often do
In the middle of the room
Got no time to count my sheep today, baby
How could I let you get away
When I knew I'd need somebody soon, hoo hoo
(How could I let you get away) baby
When I knew I'd need somebody soon
Ooh baby
(How could I let you get away, baby) how could I let you get away, baby
(When I knew) when I knew I'd need somebody soon, yeah
Hey, baby
I didn't count my sheep, I let them moan and weep, baby
(When I knew I'd) I knew down inside I'd need somebody soon
Like mother goose I done let you loose (how could I let you get away)
And need you, baby, yeah
Ooh-wee, I need somebody soon
Help me now, keep my feet on the ground (how could I let you get away)
My baby
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@[Kahiara:35260] Actually I think the husband passed away,
"She sang for you last night
She heard you were calling"
Many people say they have felt, heard, or seen their loved ones after they have passed.
"Don't be scared now
Close your eyes
She holds guard tonight
Go on forward no remorse
Life will take it's course"
This is said to the late husband by a third part (never named), who encourages him to pass on. Because life will eventually continue. The phrase "holds guard" refers to the ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wake_(ceremony) ) which is a Christian ceremony held after someone dies. Now it is usually held right after the funeral, but in most celtiic countries the wake is held before the funeral.
"She danced with you last night so you will remember
All you have shared, a lifetime."
This sentence feels as if the only thing it wants to convey is their history together, namely, husband and wife. For the rest it just refers back to the first verse.

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I’ve been knowing the song close to the time it came out.
The “block 10 was beatin 2" lyric, never registered making sense to me until now…only about 50 years later!
Only 8 years after you made your post!
Thank you.