Whispering

And he touched me and I let him love me. So let that be my story

Love those lines. Beautiful, haunting song.

This song is precisely about how so often sex is portrayed as an evil, sinful, disguisting essence, and how truly wrong that is. "History, Little miss didn't do right, Went and ruined all the true plans, Such a shame, such a sin". This, I believe, is referring to Eve, the woman who created the first sin, and then became shameful of her body, and how naturally everyone assumed that it is wrong to be free with your body, your one true posession. No one wants to accept her, or what she feels right, even if it is love. "Fumbling mutely with their rude hands, And there's heartache without end" could refer to how sex is now grabbed out for people looking for a quick release, and no emotional comfort. Truly, truly, a beautiful piece of musical theatre.

this song is wendla forshadowing her death from abortion. See the father bent in grief The mother dressed in mourning Sister crumbles, and the neighbors grumble The preacher issues warnings

It's also about gossip and how her mother made her get her fateful abortion despite the risks because of what people would think if she had a baby at 15. I'm not sure about the eve refrence, i think it's more about how she (wendla) did wrong in societies eyes.

The part

"Listening For the hope, for the new life Something beautiful, a new chance Hear it's whispering There again"

really strikes me. It makes me think of the letter she wrote to Melchior about the new life they could start with their child. I think it makes her eventual death even sadder.

This song is all about how, with all of the messed up stuff going on in this town, there is hope for the future. It is both tragic and optimistic. She foreshadows her eventual death caused by a backdoor, botched abortion she didn't want, but her mother forced her to get. She also references her moment with Melchior in the hayloft. In the end, she looks with hope to the future, for her new life with Melchior and their unborn child. This is her moment to finally say what she feels and thinks.

This song makes me cry. It's so full of regret and sorrow.