Lyric discussion by jack_the_brat 

Cover art for Beloved Wife lyrics by Natalie Merchant

Both of you have it right, it is about a man whose wife of many years is sick and dying. It is actually about Natalie's mother and father, from her father's point of view. Very sad and beautiful song.

I am not sure that this song is about Natalie's mother and father - nor from her father's point of view. The parents divorced in 1972 - Natalie was born 1963. And her mother later remarried. So, it might be possibly about her mother's new husband?

domsvram I found a link where they mention grandmother and grandfather. So not her mother/father but grandmother/father.