I believe this song is about a vacation she (Natalie Merchant) probably took when she was a young girl.
She remembers fondly and a bit sadly the man staying in a room near hers who sang opera everyday as well as other memories of her "holiday." Sad that it had to end: "With just three days more I'd have just about learned the entire score to Aida," but happy she'd have the memories: "...the stolen tea, the sand drawing, the verging sea..."
Of course, I would not know if this is autobiographical but I think it's words a at least literal if not completely actual.
I believe this song is about a vacation she (Natalie Merchant) probably took when she was a young girl.
She remembers fondly and a bit sadly the man staying in a room near hers who sang opera everyday as well as other memories of her "holiday." Sad that it had to end: "With just three days more I'd have just about learned the entire score to Aida," but happy she'd have the memories: "...the stolen tea, the sand drawing, the verging sea..."
Of course, I would not know if this is autobiographical but I think it's words a at least literal if not completely actual.