Most Beautiful Widow in Town

I think the song is written from the perspective of a dead husband who's watching over his wife in the afterlife.

He sees her look at a photograph from their wedding day when she's many years older, but she still mourns him like it was yesterday.

He says it must be a dream because "your mother would never let me in her house," but the reason he's there is cos he's dead.

Oh man. This one just dawned on me. It's Mark's ghost paying a visit to his wife Teresa 30 some years on. I suppose he had been pretty well convinced that he'd end up dying like he did. Many people with ongoing suicidal thoughts dwell on these things. I know he had spoken of suicidal feelings in the past. So, leaving Teresa a widow... He's sorry for what he's done to her. But not especially repentant. Beautifully, painfully honest song. A great insight.

hm. when i heard this song i thought it was a man (the singer) who is in love with a woman who doesnt love him back. her family hates him, she doesn't love him, she marries someone else. it's written looking back, i agree, but he's still alive, only her husband is dead. she is the most beautiful widow because he still loves her and wants her to love him. i thought it was quiet unrequited love. but you're comment was valid too alex.

I err to the side of unrequited love many years on. I've always said if William Faulkner had been a musician, he would've written this song. The music is so minimal, yet the lyrics are so image-laden--a superb song on all counts.

The only insight from Mark on Sparklehorse.com is:

"A true story recorded with a two-dollar guitar."